- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The IPL stage is set for a thrilling finale! The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) final is all set to witness a historic showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. Both teams have been burning with anticipation, each vying for their first IPL title. This highly anticipated event has cricket fans across the nation abuzz with excitement.
Although both RCB and PBKS have had their share of ups and downs in the tournament, their determination and skill have brought them to this coveted stage. For years, RCB has been a favourite among fans due to their audacious and fearless gameplay. Meanwhile, PBKS has shown remarkable resilience and grit, making them a formidable opponent. As these two teams clash in the final, fans can expect an electrifying match filled with thrilling moments and exceptional performances. Will RCB's all-star lineup be sufficient to win the championship, or will PBKS triumph because of their underdog mentality?
RCB Vs PBKS- Teams' Histories and Final Appearances
RCB and PBKS IPL's History (Image: X and Rcb website)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Before 2025, RCB made it to the IPL final three times (in 2009, 2011, and 2016), but they have not yet won the title. They lost to the Deccan Chargers by 6 runs in 2009 under Anil Kumble’s captaincy, then Chennai Super Kings by 58 runs in 2011 under New Zealand’s former cricketer and current coach Daniel Vettori, and then to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 runs in 2016 under the leadership of Virat Kohli. For IPL 2025, Rajat Patidar is leading the team and is keen to finally win the elusive championship, as this is their fourth final appearance.
Punjab Kings (PBKS): The only time PBKS made it to the IPL final was in 2014, when they lost by just three wickets to the Kolkata Knight Riders under the captaincy of former Australian cricketer George Bailey. They will make their second appearance in the 2025 final, and they hope to make history and win their first IPL trophy under Shreyas Iyer's direction. PBKS was also led by big names like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Glenn Maxwell, KL Rahul and others.
Road to the 2025 Final
The 2025 season saw strong runs for both teams. With nine victories, four defeats, and one no-result, RCB finished second in the league stage with 19 points. They defeated PBKS in Qualifier 1 to guarantee their place in the final. With the same record, PBKS won the league stage, but they had to defeat the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to advance to the championship game.
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Key Players and Performances
RCB:
Virat Kohli, the team's stalwart, has been in stellar form, amassing 614 runs with eight half-centuries this season. Josh Hazlewood, the Australian pacer, has taken 21 wickets, providing crucial breakthroughs throughout the tournament.
PBKS:
The captain, Shreyas Iyer, has led from the front, scoring 603 runs in this season, including six half-centuries, and became the first player to lead three different IPL franchises to a final. While Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer, has been instrumental with 18 wickets, posing a significant threat to opposing batsmen.
Final squads of Punjab Kings and RCB for the IPL 2025 Final Match
Royal Challengers Squads
Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone, 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 Squads
Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, 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
Over the years, RCB and PBKS have faced off in competitive matches, with both sides putting on impressive shows. With both teams keen to snap their title droughts, the 2025 final is anticipated to be a hotly contested contest. A thrilling conclusion that could see either RCB or PBKS lift the IPL trophy for the first time is what cricket fans can expect as the world watches.