The IPL 2025 final match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) was filled with drama, but none more thrilling than the piece of brilliance created by Phil Salt close to the boundary. With PBKS going hard in their 191-run pursuit at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Salt's breathtaking catch off the last over of the powerplay altered the pace of the evening and perhaps the destiny of the final.

Punjab were going at a cracking pace with young opener Priyansh Arya in fluent touch, having hit four boundaries on the way to a promising 24 from 19 balls. Just when Arya was set to up the ante, Josh Hazlewood served a short-of-length delivery angling into the body. Arya, unbeatable and calm, tried to pull it over deep backward square leg.

But waiting down in the deep was Salt, patrolling the outfield, not donning the gloves for RCB. What ensued was nothing less than world-class athleticism and alertness. Running to his right at top speed, Salt held the catch while the ball was still in play, but instantly realized his pace would carry him over the boundary. In a stunning example of improvisation, he released the ball in mid-air while crossing over the rope, clean-stepped out, and came back to finish the catch without incident.

It was a defence for the ages. With 90,000+ supporters going berserk inside the world's biggest cricket stadium, Salt's calm head and agile feet provided RCB with the breakthrough they so badly sought. Arya's dismissal put an end to Punjab's initial flow and breathed new life into RCB's defence of 190/9 in their first title quest.

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Phil Salt's Boundary Magic Turns the Tide as RCB Halt PBKS Surge in Final

Punjab Kings had won the toss earlier and decided to field. RCB's innings never really took off, but they managed to keep the scoreboard turning with consistent inputs. Virat Kohli led the charge with 43 off 35 and kept anchoring the innings even as wickets tumbled around him. Rajat Patidar added 26, while Liam Livingstone's (25), Mayank Agarwal's, and Jitesh Sharma's (24 each) cameos propelled RCB to 190.

Watch the video:

🚨 Game-changer from Salt!
Priyansh Arya falls for 24(19) as Phil Salt pulls off a sensational running catch near the ropes — cool, calm, and clutch under pressure!#RCBvPBKS #IPLFinals #IPL2025 #TATAIPL #BCCI #India #Kohli #Final #TheLastMile pic.twitter.com/S99aD0bcLN

— SportyCinema (@CinemaSporty) June 3, 2025

PBKS bowlers, particularly during the death overs, were superb. Kyle Jamieson (3/48) and Arshdeep Singh (3/40) strangled the game, while Azmatullah Omarzai picked the crucial wicket of Kohli. Yuzvendra Chahal's 1/37 also contributed significantly in holding down the middle overs. In turn, PBKS started well, getting to 98/3 at the 12 overs, but Salt's acrobatics meant that Arya, who had appeared to be a match-winning prospect, was unable to proceed. The timing of the dismissal couldn't have been more pivotal.

Despite the disappointment, Priyansh Arya can be proud of his first IPL season. The young opener finished with 466 runs in 17 games, a plundering hundred against Chennai Super Kings, a 103 off mere 42 balls that marked his arrival on the big stage.