After nearly two decades of heartbreak and near-misses, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to welcome a first-time champion as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) face off in the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Both franchises have long craved the elusive IPL trophy. RCB, having reached the final three times (2009, 2011, 2016), have come up short on each occasion. PBKS, then known as Kings XI Punjab, made a solitary final appearance in 2014, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders.
RCB secured their place in the final with a strong campaign, finishing second in the league stage with 19 points before defeating PBKS in Qualifier 1 by eight wickets. Virat Kohli has led the charge with the bat, amassing 614 runs at an average of 55.82 and a strike rate of 146.53. On the bowling front, Josh Hazlewood has claimed 21 wickets in 11 matches, proving to be a key asset.
PBKS, who topped the league stage with the same number of points as RCB but with a superior net run rate, had to take the longer route to the final. After losing to RCB in Qualifier 1, they bounced back by defeating Mumbai Indians by five wickets in Qualifier 2. Captain Shreyas Iyer has led from the front with 603 runs at a strike rate of 175.80, including a match-winning 87* off 41 balls against MI. Arshdeep Singh has been their top performer with the ball, taking 18 wickets across 16 games.
The head-to-head record between RCB and PBKS reflects just how evenly matched the teams are — they’ve met 36 times, with 18 wins each. This season alone, they’ve clashed three times, with RCB winning two (including the all-important Qualifier 1) and PBKS winning once.
RCB Squad Highlights:
- Batting firepower: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (captain)
- All-round options: Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd
- Bowling depth: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal
PBKS Squad Highlights:
- Top order strength: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis
- All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai
- Spin and pace mix: Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Kyle Jamieson
With both teams eyeing their first-ever IPL trophy, fans can expect a high-octane final that promises drama, skill, and possibly a fairytale ending for one of the league’s most loyal fanbases. Regardless of who wins, IPL 2025 will witness a brand-new champion.
