RCB and PBKS clash in IPL 2025 Final in Ahmedabad. With rain threatening and high stakes, who will win their first IPL title?
The IPL 2025 final has Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) playing Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Both teams are seeking their first IPL title. RCB thrashed PBKS comprehensively in Qualifier 1, and PBKS pulled off a shock over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. RCB, under Rajat Patidar, has an even team with momentum and has big players Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood delivering. PBKS, under Shreyas Iyer, have been resilient and have batting power. With rain predicted and immense pressure, this final is set to deliver drama, passion, and a title drought-ending for one team.
The Trophy-Hunters’ Showdown
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is all set to host the IPL 2025 Final, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) facing off Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a race to win their first-ever IPL title. They have had a wealth of heartbreaks in the league through the years, but this is their chance of a lifetime to make history.
Road to the Final
Qualifier 1: RCB dominated PBKS by 8 wickets, reducing them to 101 and romping home with 60 balls remaining.
Qualifier 2: PBKS mounted a fighting run chase against 5 time champions Mumbai Indians after Shreyas Iyer played a superb innings of 87 not out off 41 balls.
This sets up a nail-biting rematch with RCB having a 2-1 lead in the head to head.
Team Form and Key Players
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Strengths:
- Bowling attack captained by Josh Hazlewood (21 wickets in 11 games) and Suyash Sharma.
- Consistency with the bat from Virat Kohli (614 runs at 55.81 avg) and explosive contribution from Phil Salt.
- Form and experience in pressure situations.
Strategic advantage:
- Good record in Ahmedabad: 6 wins in last 8 opportunities batting first there.
- Beating PBKS twice this season would give RCB a confidence boost.
Expert Picks:
Legends David Warner and Shane Watson both picked RCB to win, with Warner also picking Hazlewood as Player of the Match.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Strengths:
- They are resilient, as shown in Qualifier 2.
- Liam Livingstone and Jitendra Sharma, two power strikers.
- Bowling attack with Kyle Jamieson and Yuzvendra Chahal as the spearheads.
Weaknesses:
- They folded under pressure against RCB in Qualifier 1.
- They need greater consistency in the batting and death-over bowling department.
Weather Watch: Will Rain Interfere?
However, according to AccuWeather, there is a 66% chance of rain in Ahmedabad on Sunday afternoon. Even when the chance decreases to 5% during the evening, cloud cover and humidity could interfere with play. The IPL has provisionally put in place a backup day, one additional hour, and a 120-minute extension to finish the match — but still, rain could be present.
Expert Opinion & Odds
Public sentiment:
The RCB are expected to win narrowly, because they have good form and also beaten GT both times they have met — before this game you might expect they have reason to be confident based on their H2H historically.
Thematic Trivia:
Could Kohli’s jersey number 18 and RCB’s 18th league season mean something?
Odds Expectation:
RCB — for the reasons of balanced team, strong momentum, and experience in knockouts.
The Final Verdict
Though PBKS’s resilience and Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy pose a serious challenge, RCB’s all-round performance, past victories, and firepower give them the edge. Yet, as IPL history teaches, finals are unpredictable and can turn on one moment. Since both teams want to break their title drought, this historic IPL final will crown a first-time winner — and maybe, a new tradition.