The IPL will see a new champion crowned for the first time since 2016. On Sunday night, Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad, securing their place in the IPL 2025 Final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
RCB: Aiming for Redemption
RCB will be playing their fourth IPL final on Tuesday, June 3 in Ahmedabad. They have previously finished as runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016 against Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, respectively. Despite being a regular contender, RCB is yet to win the prestigious title, and they’ll be hoping to change that this year.
PBKS: Aiming for First IPL Title
On the other hand, PBKS has only reached the final once before, back in 2014. At that time, they were known as Kings XI Punjab and lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. That year remains PBKS’s only playoff appearance since the introduction of the playoff system in 2011.
Shreyas Iyer: A Captain’s Legacy
PBKS’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, is now the first player to lead three different IPL teams to the final. He was the captain of Delhi Capitals in the 2020 final and led KKR to the title in 2024. This adds to his growing legacy as one of the IPL’s most successful captains.
League Stage & Previous Encounters
Both RCB and PBKS finished 1st and 2nd in the league stage, each with nine wins, four defeats, and one no-result in 14 matches. Their net run rates were also very close. While PBKS won the Bengaluru encounter, RCB claimed victory in the reverse fixture in Mullanpur.
In Qualifier 1, RCB dismissed PBKS for just 101 in Mullanpur and won comfortably by 10 overs. This secured RCB’s place in the final. PBKS had to travel to Ahmedabad to play MI in Qualifier 2, where they managed to beat them for the second time in a week, booking their spot in the IPL final.
IPL Final: RCB vs PBKS
The IPL final between RCB and PBKS will take place on June 3, 2025, in Ahmedabad. With both teams seeking their first IPL title, this promises to be an exciting showdown between two of the league’s most formidable sides.
