As the sun sets on another thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) season, fans across the cricketing world are preparing for a final like no other. On June 3, 2025, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face off for the IPL crown — both chasing their first-ever title in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter.
The road to the final has been filled with drama, resilience, and standout performances. For PBKS, this is a moment 11 years in the making. Their last appearance in an IPL final dates back to 2014 when they fell agonizingly short against Kolkata Knight Riders. This time, under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer, they have a renewed sense of purpose, team balance, and momentum.
PBKS’s path to the final was anything but smooth. After losing Qualifier 1 to RCB — the very team they now face again — they had to take the longer route by defeating the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. That high-pressure clash saw PBKS chasing a formidable target of 204. Mumbai, powered by explosive knocks from Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, posted 203/6, setting up a tense chase. But PBKS delivered one of their most composed performances of the season, anchored by their captain.
Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls was a masterclass in calculated aggression, guiding the team home with five wickets in hand and an over to spare. It wasn’t just the captain’s brilliance, though — the supporting cast, including Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, and Azmatullah Omarzai, played key roles in keeping the innings on track. This victory not only secured their place in the final but also exorcised the ghosts of past playoff disappointments.
On the other side, RCB arrive with confidence sky-high. Long labeled as IPL’s “nearly men,” having reached the finals thrice before (2009, 2011, 2016) but falling short each time, they are desperate to end the title drought. Led by Faf du Plessis, the team’s top order has been on fire, with Virat Kohli rediscovering prime form and Glenn Maxwell providing the X-factor. In Qualifier 1, RCB humbled PBKS by bowling them out for just 101 runs, showcasing their ruthless bowling attack led by Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal.
The clash between these two sides is rich with subplots. Can PBKS turn the tables on RCB after their recent defeat? Will RCB finally break their finals curse? Will Shreyas Iyer’s cool leadership edge out Faf du Plessis’s experience? And which team’s bowling unit — PBKS’s mix of youth and pace or RCB’s tactical spin-heavy attack — will hold its nerve on the big stage?
The Narendra Modi Stadium, with a capacity of over 130,000, is expected to be packed to the brim, creating a pulsating atmosphere under the floodlights. Fans will watch eagerly as global stars like Kohli, Maxwell, Bairstow, and Livingstone share the stage with rising talents like Vyshak Vijaykumar and Prabhsimran Singh.
Off the field, the IPL 2025 has been one of the most commercially successful seasons yet, with record-breaking streaming numbers, fan engagement, and advertising deals. The final is expected to attract a global television audience of over 200 million, making it one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
In cricketing terms, both teams know that finals often come down to temperament as much as talent. Small moments — a run-out, a dropped catch, a tight over at the death — can decide the fate of months of hard work. The captains’ strategies, the bowlers’ execution, and the batters’ ability to handle pressure will all be tested under the biggest spotlight.
For PBKS, lifting the trophy would cap off a remarkable turnaround season and finally deliver a title to one of the IPL’s most passionate fanbases. For RCB, a win would silence years of criticism and reward one of the league’s most loyal and vocal followings.
As the cricketing world counts down to June 3, the stage is perfectly set. Two hungry teams. One massive stadium. A historic trophy waiting to be lifted. The IPL 2025 final isn’t just another match — it’s the ultimate showdown.
