All eyes will be on Chandigarh this June 03, as Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore battle it out in a do-or-die Final clash in IPL 2025.
Royal Challengers bengalore and Punjab Kings will face each other in the final for the first time, and it will be the first time in IPL history that any team will win the trophy.
Match info
Preview for the match
Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar couldn’t be more different—yet here they are, leading their teams into the biggest game of IPL 2025. Iyer brings the fire: bold, vocal, and bursting with intensity. Patidar? He’s all composure and stillness, the quiet force behind Royal Challengers Bangalore’s consistent surge. Their contrast only adds more color to a final that feels perfectly scripted—Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, two teams chasing their first-ever IPL crown.
As the spotlight shifts to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the mood between the two skippers is telling. Iyer, fuelled by adrenaline and a brilliant semi-final innings, was not left behind. "There is a war outside," he declared. "If you fight bravely, give your best performance, then victory will be yours. That’s the mindset.” Meanwhile, Patidar kept it short and serene, acknowledging Punjab’s quality without fanfare: “They’re playing some really good cricket. It’ll be a challenge.” If Iyer was the storm, Patidar was the still sea.
Punjab Kings’s real story, however, is one of trust. This team has often fielded six uncapped players—a rarity at this stage of the tournament. From Prabhsimran and Arya at the top, to Shashank and Wadhera in the middle, and Vyshak and Brar finishing things off, it’s a lineup that runs on belief. Credit goes to Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting for nurturing a fearless, cohesive unit. The big question is whether these relatively untested names can hold their nerve against the proven match-winners of Royal Challengers bengalore—Hazlewood and Suyash with the ball, Kohli and Salt with the bat.
And then there’s the emotional thread running through the RCB camp: Virat Kohli. Eighteen seasons in, still no IPL trophy. This may be his golden chance. He isn’t desperate, but the desire is unmistakable. For fans, for the team, and for the man himself, this final feels like a moment of destiny. The heartbreak of 2016 still lingers. Could 2025 be redemption?
One thing is certain: history will be made. No matter who will become the new champion team of IPL 18 and take the trophy as the title of champion. And in a season full of twists, that feels like the perfect ending.
Pitch & Weather Report:
A warm welcome to the Narendra Modi Stadium, where batsmen have ruled the field this IPL season.The surface here has been a dream for stroke-makers—true bounce, even pace, and a clear invitation to go big. First-innings totals have skyrocketed, with an average score of 217, making it arguably the most batter-friendly venue of the season. Six of the seven teams batting first here have gone on to defend their totals, a trend that strongly suggests the toss-winning captain will opt to bat first without hesitation.
That said, the pitch does evolve. As the ball gets older, the surface starts to grip a little more, especially during the middle overs. That’s when quality spinners can flip the script, slowing the scoring rate and striking key blows. So while this is a paradise for batters, don’t rule out the influence of sharp spin bowling.
Weather-wise, Ahmedabad is offering a clean slate. The sky is clear, the air is warm and dry, and there is no hope of rain. A slight breeze may give pacers something to play with early on, but overall, this is prime-time cricket weather—ideal conditions for a full-throttle playoff clash.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Calm under Fire
Royal Challengers bengalore Squad:
Royal Challengers bengalore squad blends power, experience, and versatility. With Virat Kohli’s class at the top and Rajat Patidar leading as captain, the batting looks solid. Hitters with explosives likes Philip Salt, Tim David, and Liam Livingstone add firepower in the middle, while all-rounders like Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd offer balance. Behind the stumps, Jitesh Sharma and Tim Seifert provide reliable options. The bowling unit is strong - Bhuvneshwar Kumar's swing, Hazlewood's control, and Nuwan Thushara and Blessing Muzarabani's slow pace. Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar, and spinners like Suyash Sharma and Mohit Rathee add depth, making this a well-rounded squad ready to take on any challenge.
Injury Update:
The Royal Challengers bengalore camp is breathing a sigh of relief heading into their next big clash. The core squad looks healthy, and as things stand, there are no major injury concerns. Key players like Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar, and pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood are all fit and raring to go — a big plus as the team gears up for a crucial outing.
The pace battery, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hazlewood, remains intact, which is a sigh of relief for the support staff, especially given the intense workload this season. A few players — Nuwan Thushara and Romario Shepherd — have been managed carefully due to minor niggles, but early signs point toward their availability. Their final inclusion will likely hinge on a pre-match fitness test, but nothing alarming has emerged so far.
All in all, it’s a good place to be for Royal Challengers bengalore. With no last-minute fitness drama and a full-strength squad ready for selection, the team can now focus entirely on performance and strategy.
Tactical Outlook:
They’ll need to be cautious of Royal Challengers bengalore’s pace attack, particularly Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who can swing the ball and pick early wickets. Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, will aim to exploit any early breakthroughs and use their depth in both batting and bowling to keep the pressure on Punjab Kings. With power hitters like Tim David and Marcus Stoinis, Punjab Kings can accelerate at crucial moments, so Royal Challengers bengalore’s bowlers will need to maintain tight lines and lengths.
Punjab Kings: Belief Meets Opportunity
Punjab Kings Squad:
Punjab Kings are a team on a mission. With Shreyas Iyer at the helm and big performers like Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, and Prabhsimran Singh, they’ve shown heart and flair. Their bowling pack, led by Arshdeep Singh, Kyle Jamieson, and the spin pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar, provides a well-rounded challenge.
Injury Watch:
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp has mostly positive news on the fitness front ahead of their next outing. The majority of the squad, including key players like Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Arshdeep Singh, are fit and fully available for selection.
However, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may or may not play as there is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over him.He missed Qualifier 1 due to fitness concerns, and while he was seen bowling in practice sessions at the Narendra Modi Stadium, this was also the case before the last game — which he ultimately sat out. Team management is keeping a close eye on his progress, and his final inclusion may come down to a late call before the toss.
Aside from Chahal, the rest of the Punjab Kings squad looks match-ready. Having a nearly full-strength lineup is a boost for the team, especially with the bowling unit showing balance and depth. If Chahal returns, it could give Punjab Kings a strategic edge during the middle overs. But even without him, the squad seems well-equipped to handle the challenge.
Tactical Focus:Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings will need to be sharp with their game plan against Royal Challengers Bangalore, who boast a strong batting lineup led by Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. Punjab Kings will look to leverage their bowling strengths, especially with Arshdeep Singh’s pace and the spin options from Yuzvendra Chahal (if fit) and Harpreet Brar to put pressure on Royal Challengers bengalore’s key batsmen. On the batting front, Punjab Kings will rely on Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis to build solid partnerships and set a challenging total.
Head-to-Head: A Deadlock Built on Drama
There are rivalries in cricket, and then there’s Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore—a clash that has never followed a script. After 36 encounters, the scoreline reads 18-18. Dead even. No upper hand. No long-standing dominance. Just two sides who’ve gone toe-to-toe for years, refusing to let the other pull ahead.
Fans of both teams have ridden emotional rollercoasters every time these two lock horns. And what makes this rivalry so compelling is that you never really know what’s coming next.
Royal Challengers bengalore might carry the big names and a little more flash. Punjab often rely on grit, fearless youngsters, and a never-say-die spirit. But both teams have shown they can rise to the moment—whether at home, away, or under knockout pressure. And with the stakes higher than ever in this final, that head-to-head tie adds a whole new layer of tension.
Who breaks the deadlock? Who writes the next chapter in this story that never repeats itself?
Final Word: Where Margins Matter
In a game like this, it’s not always the stars who shine the brightest—it’s the moments in between. A sharp piece of fielding, a quiet over under pressure, or a calculated risk that pays off.
Punjab Kings will hope to keep Royal Challengers bengalore’s power-hitters on a leash, while Bangalore will look to strike early and rattle the middle.
This is more than just a final. It’s a battle of belief, execution, and nerve. For the first time, either team from both the teams will win the IPL trophy title.The other will walk away with nothing but the taste of what could’ve been. And that’s what makes this so much more than just another cricket match.