From RCB to World Champions: Why 2025 became cricket’s breakthrough year

As 2025 draws to a close, long-suffering cricket teams across leagues and nations finally ended years of heartbreak, rewriting history with maiden and long-awaited title wins.

With only 2 days left to bid farewell to 2025, the year will be remembered as a turning point in world cricket. Teams that had faced decades of disappointment, near-misses and criticism finally broke their title droughts, making 2025 a year of long-awaited celebrations.

For Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, this year delivered a moment they had waited for since the IPL began in 2008. After 18 seasons of heartbreak, RCB clinched their maiden IPL title by defeating Punjab in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat. The victory ended years of frustration and fulfilled the dreams of millions of supporters.

The year was equally historic for Indian women’s cricket. Despite participating in every Women’s ODI World Cup since 1973, India had never lifted the trophy. After final losses in 2005 and 2017, the team finally emerged champions in a home World Cup, ending a 47-year wait and creating a defining moment in Indian cricket history.

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South Africa also shed their long-standing “chokers” tag in 2025. After repeated ICC tournament failures, the Proteas stunned Australia at Lord’s to win the World Test Championship. It marked their first ICC trophy in 27 years, triggering nationwide celebrations.

In Australia’s Big Bash League, Hobart Hurricanes scripted their own fairy tale. After years of unsuccessful campaigns since the league’s inception in 2011, the Hurricanes won their first title by defeating Sydney Thunder by seven wickets.

The year also brought success to the Delhi Capitals franchise, which lifted its first-ever T20 trophy. Dubai Capitals defeated Desert Vipers in the International League T20 final, ending an 18-year wait for silverware across leagues.

Team India added to the list by winning the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time since 2013, beating New Zealand in the final in Dubai.

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Overall, 2025 stood out as a year where destinies changed, droughts ended and new champions rose across world cricket.