The Indian Premier League (IPL) will have a new champion when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Punjab Kings in the final of the 2025 edition at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Both teams have never won the title despite being in the league for 18 years. They have reached the final -- RCB on three previous occasions and PBKS only once earlier in 2014.
They will be playing each other for the third time this season with RCB leading 2-1. They had last week thrashed PBKS by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 at the PCS Stadium in Mullanpur and by seven wickets in the league phase at the same venue. PBKS had won their clash at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 18.
While the Rajat Patidar-led RCB seems to hold an advantage over their opponents courtesy of their recent win in Qualifier 1, which sealed them a direct berth in the final, Punjab have bounced back from that setback to beat Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, riding on skipper Shreyas Iyer's blistering 87 not out to keep their dream of winning a maiden title alive.
On paper, the two teams look equally matched as they had finished on the same points in the league phase --19 from 14 matches. Punjab boasts a top-heavy batting line-up with the likes of uncapped duo Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh supported by experienced campaigners Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis.
RCB, on the other hand, have prospered on the exploits of the seasoned opening pair of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt and have a strong middle-order comprising captain Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and all-rounder Krunal Pandya, all of whom have made vital contributions when needed in the league phase.
Patidar said they would like to win the title for Kohli who has been their icon player for 18 years and has guided them to three finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Kohli is the top scorer for RCB this season too with 614 runs so far.
Virat has contributed so much over the years, winning would mean a lot, especially for him and the fans.
RCB's bowling unit has been bolstered by the recent return from injury of Josh Hazlewood, who has taken 21 wickets in just 11 matches. He has got good support from veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar and youngster Yash Dayal while the spin department is led by Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma.
The PBKS also has a potent attack with Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson shouldering the pace-bowling responsibilities with Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Vijaykumar Vyshak supporting them. Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar will lead their spin attack.
Patidar has led the side into the final in his first year as captain while Iyer will be captaining his third franchise in the summit clash having previously done so with Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders. He has won the title in the 2024 edition with KKR.
However, both of them will be under pressure to prove themselves -- Patidar would like to repay the faith the franchise has shown in him by handing the reins to him while Iyer has to prove that he can guide another team to title after KKR snubbed him by not retaining.
Expectations come naturally, especially when you're leading a team like RCB in a final, but I always focus on what’s in my control and try to stay in the present. This captaincy journey has been a great learning experience for me; being around some of the best leaders and foreign players in the game has really shaped my approach.
Iyer said leading PBKS to the final is only a job half done. He also has to prove his batting credentials after being ignored for the England Test tour. He said he would take things as they come and adapt to the situation.
We will play according to the situation. It’s not like we go from one plan to another. I don’t think about going up or down. Like I said, a lot of players have gained experience. The youngsters are fearless. They have gained experience and they know how to adapt. We can’t go with a straight plan.
“When you are on the field, it is all about rivalry. It is not about comfort at all. When you step onto the field, you are at war, and you fight to win. So, I will put in everything and I will give in everything to see to it that my team wins,” said the PBKS captain.
In 36 matches they have played so far, both teams have won 18 apiece. RCB are still sweating over the fitness of Tim David, who missed their last two matches while Suyash Sharma will be among the Impact subs. PBKS have been bolstered by the return of Yuzvendra Chahal while Harpreet Brar could come in as an Impact substitute.
Probable playing XIs: Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (capt), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood.
