RCB vs PBKS Final Preview, IPL 2025: Battle of the Uncrowned – Will Kohli or Iyer Lift Maiden Trophy in Ahmedabad?

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RCB vs PBKS Final Preview, IPL 2025: A thrilling IPL 2025 season, which spanned 50 intense days of non-stop cricket, is all set for its grand finale as Royal Challengers Bengaluru lock horns with Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3.

With both franchises chasing their maiden title, fans are in for a night of high-octane action and emotions, as two teams with deeply contrasting journeys and philosophies collide in what could be a legendary final.

This clash is a dream for broadcasters and fans alike-not just for the opportunity of crowning a new champion but for the narratives it weaves. It is Season 18 of the IPL, and if RCB's No. 18, Virat Kohli, lifts the elusive trophy after 17 years of heartbreak and near-misses, it will be a moment for the ages. On the other side, Shreyas Iyer has already built a remarkable legacy of leading multiple teams to the final. Now, he's a match away from rewriting the history books once again.

Punjab Kings Team Preview

Punjab Kings' transformation this season can be largely credited to Shreyas Iyer-the captain who's now at the peak of his powers. Unlike his stints with Delhi and Kolkata, where he often had to adapt to existing frameworks, Punjab gave Shreyas the keys to the castle. And he built an empire.

The 603-run season he's had, at a whopping strike rate of 175, is his finest to date. In Qualifier 2, his fearless approach saw Punjab dismantle Mumbai Indians and neutralise the threat of Jasprit Bumrah. Add to that the explosive starts by Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, and the well-rounded nature of their all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis and Azmatullah Omarzai, and you've got a side that is peaking at the perfect time.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team Preview

Rajat Patidar's maiden season as captain has been anything but smooth. Taking over the reins from a legend like Virat Kohli isn't easy, and early home losses did raise eyebrows. However, the way Rajat backed himself, especially on the road, deserves immense credit.

RCB's away record this season is flawless. Their bowling attack, led by Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood, has fired collectively, allowing the side to dominate in unfavourable conditions. Kohli has been RCB's talisman yet again, leading with the bat and setting the tone in run chases. With support from Philip Salt and a rejuvenated Mayank Agarwal, the RCB batting has found stability.

Battle of the Masters: Flower vs Ponting

Punjab Kings took the scenic route to the final. Their campaign wasn't perfect, especially at home where they lost 3 of their 5 matches. But their stellar away form-winning 5 out of 7-kept them in contention. Their playoffs run has been spectacular, particularly the demolition of Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2.

RCB, on the other hand, have looked like a title-winning unit from the second half of the season onwards. They stormed into the top 2 and then dominated their playoff clash to book their spot in the final. Their consistency on the road and Kohli's calm presence have turned them into a machine that rarely falters under pressure.

RCB vs PBKS in IPL 2025: Head-to-Head This Season

The two finalists have faced each other thrice this season, and RCB currently leads 2-1.

• Match 1: In Bengaluru, Punjab dominated in a rain-shortened contest. RCB collapsed to 95/9 in 14 overs, and PBKS chased it down comfortably in 12.1 overs.
• Match 2: In Mullanpur, RCB fought back. After restricting Punjab to a modest 158, Kohli's unbeaten 73 guided the chase with ease.
• Match 3: Just days ago in Mullanpur, RCB decimated Punjab. Their pacers wrapped up the hosts for 101, and the chase was finished in just 10 overs-one of the most one-sided contests this season.

With the final taking place at a neutral venue, both sides will see this as a fresh start. While Punjab have played in Ahmedabad this season and Shreyas Iyer has fared well here, RCB are yet to feature at this venue in 2025.

Road to the Final

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) didn't just walk into the final - they clawed their way through storms of doubt, tactical rethinks, and away-ground adversity. Their campaign began on shaky turf at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where familiar woes of leaking runs and mid-innings collapses haunted them early on. But the turning point came when they hit the road.

Once RCB stepped out of Bengaluru, they transformed into a ruthless, well-oiled machine. With Virat Kohli delivering vintage chases and Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood tightening the screws with the ball, RCB went on a remarkable run - winning 6 consecutive matches away from home. Their comeback victory over CSK at Chepauk was the defining moment. RCB finished second on the points table, earning a direct entry into Qualifier 1, where they outclassed Mumbai Indians to book their final ticket.

For the Punjab Kings (PBKS), the journey to the final was a redemption arc scripted with steel and style. They began the season in their new home ground at Mullanpur with promise but quickly stumbled - losing three of their first five matches. Criticism loomed large, but Shreyas Iyer kept the camp calm and focused. The real turnaround began during their mid-season away leg, where PBKS started punching above their weight.

With Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya firing in the powerplay and Iyer anchoring the middle, Punjab built a formidable chasing unit. Their bowlers, especially Vyshak, Chahal, and Omarzai, started delivering under pressure. They finished fourth on the table, knocking out heavyweights in style.

Their biggest statement came in Qualifier 2, when they chased down 204 against Mumbai Indians in 19 overs. Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 84 and PBKS' fearless batting dismantled MI's bowling, including Jasprit Bumrah, sending shockwaves across the league. That performance sealed their date with destiny.

Now, after different but equally dramatic roads, RCB and PBKS stand on the brink of immortality. One will finally end the wait. The other will walk away in tears.

Final Squads

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Blessing Muzarabani, Nuwan Thushara, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh

Punjab Kings

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (w), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash