IPL 2025 Final: PBKS vs RCB Preview, Prediction, Starting XI and Where to Watch the Match LIVE?

After over two months of thrilling action, the grand finale of the prestigious IPL 2025 is set to take place on Tuesday, June 3, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off against Punjab Kings at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

PBKS vs RCB: Preview

Seven teams have etched their names onto the IPL trophy—though one no longer exists, and two weren’t even part of the league’s original lineup.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been part of the IPL since its inception. Despite reaching four finals between them, neither side has managed to lift the coveted title.

Over time, RCB and PBKS have been grouped with Delhi Capitals (DC)—another founding team yet to win the championship—into what social media has dubbed the IPL’s “Holy Trinity.” While the nickname initially carried a hint of mockery, it has gradually taken on a tone of affectionate irony, embraced even by fans of the three sides as a symbol of shared heartbreak and enduring loyalty.

But come Tuesday night, that trinity will be broken. One of RCB or PBKS will finally claim the elusive IPL title in their 18th season. As for the other… let’s just say it’s not a place any fan would want to be.

Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar are polar opposites—fire and water. Iyer thrives on intensity, wearing his aggression like armor, while Patidar exudes a quiet composure, letting calmness define his leadership. Yet, despite their contrasting styles, both have led their teams—Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru—to the summit of IPL 2025. It’s a finale that feels as inevitable as it is poetic.

On the eve of the grand showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Iyer turned up the heat. True to his nature, he didn’t hold back, invoking themes of battle and resilience. “It’s not about comfort,” he declared after his blistering semifinal performance. “When you step onto the field, you are at war. And you fight to win. I’ll put in everything. I’ll give everything to make sure my team wins.”

Rhetoric aside—whether it’s Iyer’s fiery declarations or Patidar’s composed restraint—the last time these two teams met, there was little contest. RCB thrashed Punjab Kings by eight wickets to storm into the final, while PBKS were forced down the longer road, taking the Qualifier 2 route to earn their place. But momentum, that ever-fickle force in T20 cricket, may now be on Punjab’s side after a commanding five-wicket win over Mumbai Indians—driven in large part by another sublime knock from their captain, Shreyas Iyer.

Punjab’s journey has been defined by its fearless embrace of the unproven. Often fielding close to six uncapped players—Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Acharya at the top, Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera in the middle, and Vijaykumar Vyshak and Harpreet Brar (deployed in place of Yuzvendra Chahal) at the death—it’s a bold approach that speaks volumes about the trust placed in them by Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. Their collective performance in the final could prove decisive. Whether they can withstand the pressure of an RCB attack led by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, or contain the firepower of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, remains the million-dollar question.

Punjab’s local hero and pace spearhead, Arshdeep Singh, has struggled to find rhythm post the mid-season break. His dip in form is evident—he’s gone wicketless in four of his last five matches. His numbers against RCB (eight wickets in 10 games) and at the Narendra Modi Stadium (three wickets in four matches) offer little comfort, raising concerns about his impact in the high-pressure final.

Patidar, in stark contrast to Iyer, cut a figure of stoic restraint. If Iyer’s words were a roar, Patidar’s were a whisper. Calm, measured, and minimal. “If I talk about Punjab,” he said softly, “I think they’re playing some tremendous cricket this season. It will be a challenge for us in the final.” It was perhaps the mildest take one could imagine ahead of such a high-stakes clash.

As for RCB, even if they don’t speak it out loud, the narrative that looms largest is Virat Kohli’s. Eighteen seasons. No title. Yet here he is again—fresh off another 500-plus run season (his eighth), on the cusp of what could be a storybook ending. Those close to him insist he’s driven, not desperate. But anyone who’s followed Kohli’s IPL journey knows how much this means to him. His 2016 heartbreak still lingers in the collective memory of RCB fans—a year when he was at his peak but the title still slipped through their fingers.

RCB’s pace ace Josh Hazlewood enters the IPL 2025 final as their leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps to his name. While he needs a five-wicket haul to overtake Prasidh Krishna for the Purple Cap—a tall ask—it wouldn’t be surprising if he still shapes the outcome of the game. The Australian has already bagged six wickets in three outings against Punjab Kings this season, including two each against Josh Inglis and Shreyas Iyer. His record against Iyer in T20s is especially striking: four dismissals for just 11 runs off 22 balls.

RCB’s young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma could also be a key player, especially given his stark split in performances based on a batter’s handedness. Against right-handers in IPL 2025, Suyash averages 31.57 with an economy of 7.80. Against left-handers, however, his average balloons to 193.00 with a costly economy of 9.81. The contrast is even starker versus Punjab: five wickets at 7.40 and a miserly 5.84 economy against right-handers, but no wickets and 7.09 economy against lefties. Nehal Wadhera—PBKS’ only left-handed middle-order batter—took Suyash apart in their only win over RCB this season, scoring 21 off 12 balls. In the other two encounters, Suyash returned a combined 5 for 43 in seven overs, including Wadhera’s dismissals for cheap scores.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar, known for his aggressive strokeplay against spin, hasn’t had particularly dominant outings against Punjab’s left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar (21 runs off 18 balls, one dismissal) or leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (40 runs off 27 balls, two dismissals). As he walks out for the biggest match of his career, overcoming those challenges will be crucial if RCB are to lift their maiden IPL trophy.

With the bat, Virat Kohli has added more freedom to his T20 approach, yet one familiar pattern persists—his tempo tends to dip right after the powerplay. Among all batters who faced at least 50 balls in overs 7–10 this season, Kohli’s strike rate of 109.61 ranks third-lowest, just ahead of Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul. His ability to maintain momentum through this tricky phase—and PBKS’ bowling choices during it—will be vital in RCB’s innings progression.

RCB’s Krunal Pandya could prove to be an x-factor. The only left-handed batter in the Royal Challengers’ line-up, his presence could disrupt Punjab’s bowling plans—especially considering his effective cameos throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, skipper Rajat Patidar started IPL 2025 on a blazing note, amassing 161 runs in his first four outings. However, his form has tapered off since then, with only 125 runs coming from his last nine innings. As the final looms, RCB will hope their captain can rediscover his early-season touch and lead from the front when it matters most.

For an RCB fan, it would be a fourth defeat in as many finals—a painful reminder that even the most promising of transformations can lead to the same old heartbreak. A campaign that finally struck the right chords—balancing explosive top-order power with depth in the middle, blending star power with steady support—would still end in familiar frustration.

For a PBKS fan, it would mean yet another pre-season rebuild ending in heartbreak—a story they’ve lived through too many times to count. And it would mark an underwhelming finish to what had all the makings of a gripping sports drama: a coach who pulled strings to bring in a captain with something to prove, the duo fostering a nurturing environment for a bunch of uncapped and overlooked local talents who blossomed into match-winners, injecting new life into a franchise long synonymous with despair.

Two teams now stand on the brink of ending a 17-year wait for glory—but only one will complete the journey. The other will be left to grapple with the agony of falling at the final hurdle. Rarely has an IPL final carried the weight of such contrasting emotions—unimaginable joy for one side, and crushing heartbreak for the other.

Regardless of the outcome, one truth remains: the IPL will crown a new champion tonight.

PBKS vs RCB: Head-to-Head

The rivalry between the two sides is perfectly balanced, with both teams claiming 18 wins each in their head-to-head clashes. Even at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the score is level with one victory apiece. However, RCB have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning five of their last six matches against PBKS since 2023.

• Matches Played: 36
• Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 18
• Won by Punjab Kings: 18
• Tied: 0
• No Result: 0
• First-ever Fixture: May 05, 2008
• Most-recent Fixture: May 29, 2025

PBKS vs RCB: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The IPL 2025 final will be played on the centre wicket of the massive Narendra Modi Stadium, offering symmetrical boundaries on either side. The surface, a combination of red and black soil, was last used during the GT vs PBKS match on March 25, which saw a high-scoring affair with over 470 runs.

This venue has been a batter’s paradise throughout the season. Teams batting first have crossed the 200-run mark in seven of eight innings, with the only exception being a total of 196. Four of those scores even went past 220. Interestingly, despite the clear advantage of setting a total, captains have opted to chase in seven out of eight games—likely due to the challenges in judging safe scores. Still, the team batting first has ended up winning six of those eight matches.

Punjab Kings have fond memories of Ahmedabad this season, having won both of their outings here. They kicked off their campaign with a dominant 243/5 against Gujarat Titans and followed it up by chasing down 204 against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, rebounding strongly after their defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1.

RCB, despite having beaten PBKS in two of their three clashes this season, haven’t yet played at this venue in IPL 2025, which could pose an unfamiliarity disadvantage.

Although there was a weather interruption in Qualifier 2 due to an unexpected rain spell, the forecast for the final is relatively clear, with only a slight chance of showers. A reserve day is in place in case rain plays spoilsport.

PBKS vs RCB: Team News and Starting XI

Punjab Kings – Team News

Two days after securing a crucial victory over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Punjab Kings are expected to go with the same playing combination for the final. Yuzvendra Chahal, who featured in that match and bowled his full four overs, remains a doubtful starter. Bowling coach James Hopes revealed after the game that Chahal was not fully fit, indicating he played through discomfort. If the leg-spinner is unable to take the field, PBKS could opt to go with just one frontline spinner or bring in Harpreet Brar as a like-for-like replacement. All other Punjab players are available for selection.

At the top of the order, the promising young opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya—who have been one of the breakout partnerships of the season—have underperformed in their last two appearances. With the final looming, the team will be hoping the law of averages turns in their favour and the duo delivers when it matters most.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer has been in sensational form at this venue, playing two match-defining unbeaten innings of 97* and 87* earlier in the tournament. PBKS will be banking on their captain to lead from the front once again in what could be a historic night for the franchise.

Punjab Kings – Starting XI

1. Priyansh Arya
2. Prabhsimran Singh
3. Josh Inglis (wk)
4. Shreyas Iyer (capt)
5. Nehal Wadhera
6. Shashank Singh
7. Marcus Stoinis
8. Azmatullah Omarzai
9. Vijaykumar Vyshak
10. Kyle Jamieson
11. Arshdeep Singh
12. Yuzvendra Chahal/Harpreet Brar

RCB – Team News

The only significant injury concern for Royal Challengers Bengaluru heading into the final is Tim David, who has been sidelined for the last two matches due to a hamstring issue. Should he regain fitness in time, he is expected to slot back into the XI, possibly replacing Liam Livingstone. Apart from David, all other players in the squad are available for selection.

Virat Kohli, RCB’s batting mainstay, has a solid overall record against Punjab Kings, scoring 1116 runs in 35 matches at an average of 36. However, his recent form against them has been even more impressive, averaging 62.5 across the last eight encounters with a total of 375 runs. On the bowling front, Josh Hazlewood could be a key weapon for RCB. Known for delivering in crunch situations, the Australian pacer has claimed 12 wickets in just five playoff appearances, underlining his credentials as a proven performer in high-stakes games.

RCB – Starting XI

1. Phil Salt
2. Virat Kohli
3. Mayank Agarwal
4. Rajat Patidar (capt)
5. Liam Livingstone/Tim David
6. Jitesh Sharma (wk)
7. Romario Shepherd
8. Krunal Pandya
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Yash Dayal
11. Josh Hazlewood
12. Suyash Sharma

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Players To Watch Out For

Yuzvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings)

Yuzvendra Chahal technically has an IPL title to his name, having featured in a single match for Mumbai Indians during their 2013 championship-winning campaign. However, he’s yet to experience the triumph as a core member of a title-winning side. He has been part of two previous finals — one each with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals — but ended up on the losing side both times. On Tuesday, he faces his former team RCB, where he spent eight seasons and became a household name.

Chahal missed Punjab Kings’ Qualifier 1 loss to RCB due to a hand injury, but either side of that absence, he delivered impactful performances against former franchises. Prior to the injury, he played a pivotal role in derailing RR’s strong start in a 220-run chase, applying pressure in the middle overs — a game PBKS won by 10 runs. Upon returning for Qualifier 2, he struck a key blow by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav, helping secure a crucial victory over Mumbai Indians.

Earlier this season, Chahal had already made a dent against RCB, picking up 2 for 11 in a rain-reduced, low-scoring clash in Bengaluru. The question now is whether he can replicate that success — this time, on the grandest stage of all.

Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Rajat Patidar’s match-winning six in Qualifier 1 against PBKS was more than just a finishing blow — it encapsulated the bold, fearless batting identity that RCB have embraced throughout IPL 2025 under their new captain. Taking charge at the start of the season, the skipper made an immediate impact with Player-of-the-Match performances that ended long-standing droughts: a first-ever win at Chepauk against CSK in 17 years, and a decade-long wait to beat MI at the Wankhede.

While his individual numbers — 286 runs at 23.83 with a strike rate of 142.28 — may not leap off the page, they hardly tell the full story of his influence on RCB’s intent and momentum this season. Though his form has tapered off in recent outings, he remains unbothered, likely to continue playing his natural attacking game — a strategy that might be exactly what RCB need against a dangerous PBKS unit at Ahmedabad’s high-scoring Narendra Modi Stadium.

PBKS vs RCB: Prediction

Scenario 1

• Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl first
• Punjab Kings Powerplay Score: 60-70
• Punjab Kings Total: 200-210
• Match Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match

Scenario 2

• Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl first
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Powerplay Score: 65-75
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Total: 205-215
• Match Result: Punjab Kings win the match

When and Where To Watch the IPL 2025 Final LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details

The Indian Premier League 2025 Final between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Tuesday, June 3, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.

Read More: ICC to Enforce Landmark Playing Condition Changes from June

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