Table of Contents
IPL 2025 Final Preview: high-stakes battle between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru
After an intense season of thrilling cricket, the IPL 2025 Final will witness a high-stakes battle between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tonight at 7:30 PM IST. This much-anticipated match guarantees a new champion after a three-year gap, as neither team has lifted the IPL trophy in the tournament’s 18-year history.
A Long Wait for Glory: RCB and PBKS Seek Their First IPL Title
The journey to the final has been hard-fought for both franchises. On the other hand, PBKS reached the final only once before, in 2014, but failed to clinch the title.
Tonight’s encounter marks the first-ever final between PBKS and RCB, promising a fresh name on the trophy. The last time the IPL saw a new winner was in 2022, when Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals.
Head-to-Head Record: A Balanced Rivalry
PBKS and RCB have faced each other 36 times in IPL history, with both teams winning 18 matches each, highlighting the competitiveness of this rivalry. In Qualifier 1 earlier this season, RCB defeated PBKS by 8 wickets, asserting psychological dominance ahead of the final.
This final will also be their fourth meeting of the season, with RCB leading the season series 2-1.
Key Players to Watch: Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli Lead the Charge
Shreyas Iyer: Punjab’s Captain and Batting Pillar
Shreyas Iyer has been the backbone of Punjab’s batting lineup, scoring 603 runs in 16 matches. His unbeaten 87-run knock in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians sealed PBKS’s spot in the final. Iyer’s best this season — 97 not out — also came at the same venue, making him a crucial player in tonight’s contest.
With the ball, Arshdeep Singh has been Punjab’s standout bowler, picking up 18 wickets in 16 games. His performances in the powerplay and death overs have been instrumental in PBKS’s campaign.
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, who has consistently provided explosive starts. Following them, Devdutt Padikkal and Mayank Agarwal have anchored the middle order well.
Captain Rajat Patidar, batting at number four, has played vital finishing roles. RCB’s depth is further boosted by Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, and Tim David, who have contributed significantly in crunch situations. Notably, Jitesh’s unbeaten 85 in a must-win game propelled RCB into the playoffs.
Bowling Transformation: RCB’s Newfound Strength
Bowling has long been RCB’s Achilles’ heel, particularly in the death overs. However, the trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (15 wickets), Josh Hazlewood (21 wickets), and Yash Dayal (12 wickets) has turned things around this season.
Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have been effective in the middle overs, applying pressure and picking up key wickets — a balance that makes RCB a more rounded side than in previous years.
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report: A Batters’ Paradise
The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium is known to favour batters, and PBKS chased down a 204-run target here in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai. The average winning score when batting first is around 210+, and anything below that is often chased successfully.
The stadium has hosted 43 IPL games, with 21 wins for teams batting first and 22 for chasing teams, making the toss less significant but execution crucial.
The highest team total at this venue is 243/5, posted by PBKS earlier this season against Gujarat Titans.
The weather in Ahmedabad could play spoilsport, with a 62% chance of rain predicted for the evening. Temperatures will range between 27°C and 38°C, with wind speeds of up to 15 km/h. A delayed start is possible, as seen during Qualifier 2, which began after a 2-hour rain delay.
The IPL has allocated a 120-minute buffer in case of interruptions. If the game cannot be completed tonight, a reserve day on June 4 has been scheduled. Should rain prevent play on both days, the trophy will be shared between the two finalists.
Final Verdict: A New Chapter in IPL History Awaits
With both teams chasing their first IPL crown, fans are in for a nail-biting finale. Whether it’s the batting brilliance of Kohli and Iyer, the death-over drama, or the weather curveball, tonight’s clash has all the ingredients for a classic.
