IPL Final 2025 Match: RCB vs PBKS – A High Octane Show
Ahmedabad, June 3, 2025. The Narendra Modi Stadium played host to a thrilling climax of the Indian Premier League 2025 season as Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced off against a rejuvenated Punjab Kings in a contest brimming with emotion, power-hitting, and high stakes.
Toss and Team Strategy
Under a clear sky and a buzzing crowd, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and made a tactical decision to bowl first on a pitch known for offering support to fast bowlers early on but flattening out as the game progresses.
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, entered the final with a balanced XI featuring experienced stars like Virat Kohli, Liam Livingstone, and Josh Hazlewood. Punjab, meanwhile, banked on their explosive middle order and a potent bowling unit, featuring Azmatullah Omarzai and Arshdeep Singh.
RCB Innings: A Blistering Start and a Balanced Middle
RCB’s innings got off to an energetic start with Phil Salt smashing a quickfire 16 off just 9 balls before falling to a sharp delivery by Kyle Jamieson. Kohli, ever the anchor in big games, played a composed knock of 43 from 35 balls, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries before Omarzai sent him back.
Captain Rajat Patidar and Mayank Agarwal had brief stays, but the innings was reignited by an explosive counter-attack from Liam Livingstone, who powered to 25 off 14 balls with his trademark flair. At the other end, Jitesh Sharma provided fireworks of his own, racing to 24 off just 8 balls, showcasing stunning strokeplay against spin and pace alike.
As of the 17th over, RCB stood at 166/4, with a total around 200 firmly in sight — a formidable target on any day, let alone in a final.
What’s Next: Can PBKS Chase Glory?
With RCB posting an imposing total, the pressure now shifts to Punjab Kings. Their hopes will rest on a solid start from Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis, followed by the stabilizing presence of Shreyas Iyer and the hitting prowess of Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh.
If PBKS can handle the early movement from Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and keep the required rate under control during the middle overs, the IPL trophy might finally find a new home in Punjab.
Match Summary (as of 16.4 overs):
- RCB: 166/4
- Top Performers:
- Virat Kohli: 43 (35)
- Liam Livingstone: 25* (14)
- Jitesh Sharma: 24* (8)
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 1/22
- Kyle Jamieson: 1/26
Stay tuned as the 2025 IPL Final heads into a pulsating second innings. Will RCB finally lift their maiden title, or will Punjab Kings script a fairy-tale finish?
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