Preity Zinta Pens Emotional Note After PBKS Fall Short in IPL 2025 Final

After an 18-year wait, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy in 2025, edging past Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a thrilling final. While the heartbreak was palpable for PBKS fans, co-owner and actor Preity Zinta took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message, expressing pride in her team’s journey and promising they’ll be back stronger next season.

Preity posted a picture of the team with a large "Thank You" message and poured her emotions into the caption. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to but…the journey was spectacular!” she wrote. “It was exciting, entertaining, and inspiring. I loved the fight and grit our young team—our shers—showed throughout the tournament. I’m proud of how our captain, our Sarpanch, led from the front and how our uncapped Indian players truly stole the spotlight this season.”

Reflecting on the many ups and downs PBKS faced this year, she continued, “This year was unique. We broke records despite losing key players to injury and national duty. We dealt with a tournament pause, relocated home games to other states, and even evacuated a stadium! But we adapted. We topped the points table for the first time in a decade and fought till the very last ball in an electrifying final.”

In a touching message to her team and supporters, Preity wrote, “I am so proud of every single player for showing such incredible character throughout the tournament. A huge thank you to them, our support staff, and everyone at PBKS for making this season so special. And most of all—a heartfelt THANK YOU to our Sher Squad, our amazing fans, who stood by us through thick and thin. Whatever we are today is because of you.”

She ended the post with a promise: “We will come back to finish the job, because right now, it feels like it’s only half done. See you next year in the stadium. Until then, take care and stay safe. Love you all.”

After the match, Preity was seen emotionally consoling her players, including Shreyas Iyer, as she walked across the field. PBKS, who last reached the final in 2014, will have to wait a little longer for their maiden IPL title—but this season has certainly given their fans plenty to believe in.