The grand finale of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will witness a historic showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3.
IPL 2025 Playoff Path: Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings
Both teams are eyeing their maiden IPL title, adding high stakes and emotional weight to this summit clash. For RCB, this marks their fourth IPL final appearance, after heartbreaks in 2009, 2011, and 2016, while Punjab, who last reached a final in 2014, are back with a vengeance under new captain Shreyas Iyer, who is aiming to lead a second team to IPL glory in consecutive seasons after guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the trophy in 2024.
Both PBKS and RCB earned direct entry into the playoffs after finishing first and second in the league stage, each with nine wins, four losses, and one no-result. The two sides have faced off three times already this season, adding intensity to their fourth and final clash. In Qualifier 1, RCB dismantled Punjab for just 101 and chased it down with ease to book their final berth. PBKS, however, used their top-two buffer to bounce back, defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 by five wickets, showcasing resilience and depth.
3 players to watch out for in the RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 final
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli will enter the IPL 2025 final as one of the most feared batters in the tournament’s history, especially when facing Punjab Kings. With a glittering tally of 1,116 runs against PBKS, Kohli holds the second-highest aggregate in IPL history against them, averaging 36 at a strike rate of 133.01, including a stunning century and six half-centuries. He requires only 19 more runs to surpass David Warner’s record (1,134 runs) and become the highest run-scorer ever against PBKS, a milestone that could be achieved early in the final.
His overall season form has been exceptional, amassing 614 runs in 14 matches at an average of 55.81, with eight fifties and a strike rate above 146, indicating both consistency and aggression. Kohli’s experience in finals, leadership influence even without the captaincy tag, and his hunger to win RCB their first-ever IPL title after three previous final defeats make him the emotional and tactical core of the side.
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2. Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood has been a game-changer for Bengaluru with the ball, particularly in pressure games and on batting-friendly tracks. In IPL 2025, the Australian fast bowler has picked up 21 wickets in just 11 matches, emerging as the leading wicket-taker for RCB this season. His accurate line-and-length, smart variations, and fearless approach at the death have made him a key weapon for the Challengers.
However, Hazlewood’s biggest influence heading into the final lies in his remarkable domination over Iyer, PBKS’ captain and most vital batter. In six IPL innings against Iyer, Hazlewood has dismissed him four times, conceding only 11 runs off 22 balls, with 15 dot balls, reducing Iyer’s average in this matchup to just 2.75. This psychological edge could prove vital in the final, especially during the powerplay when RCB will aim to unsettle Punjab’s top order early.
3. Shreyas Iyer
Iyer, the captain of Punjab, has been instrumental in turning the franchise’s fortunes around this season. Leading from the front, Iyer has scored 603 runs in 16 matches at an average of 54.81, with a blistering strike rate of 175.80, and has registered six half-centuries, often taking the attack to opposition bowlers in the middle overs.
Under his leadership, Punjab have not only made it to the playoffs for just the second time since 2014 but also reached the final after a gritty fightback win against Mumbai in Qualifier 2. What adds a unique layer to Iyer’s narrative is that he is aiming to become the first player to lead two different franchises to consecutive IPL finals, having won the title with KKR in 2024. He has historically managed 408 runs against RCB in 17 matches, averaging 25.50 with a strike rate of 120.35, decent but not intimidating. To lead Punjab to their first IPL trophy, Iyer must overcome this personal hurdle, counter Hazlewood’s early threat, and marshal his troops with precision in the high-pressure atmosphere of a final.
Also READ: David Warner’s IPL 2025 final predictions – Winner and Player of the Match
