IPL 2025 final showdown: Punjab Kings and RCB vie for maiden title at Narendra Modi Stadium

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clash in the IPL 2025 final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, both chasing their first-ever IPL title.
Punjab Kings secured their spot by defeating five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, powered by captain Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, including eight sixes and five fours.

"I only got four hours of sleep last night, and here I am," Iyer admitted, reflecting his intense focus ahead of the final.

Punjab Kings have been a revelation this season, topping the points table with nine wins and showcasing one of the most explosive batting lineups, scoring over 200 runs eight times.

Bowling coach James Hopes praised the team's resilience: "The way Josh Inglis attacked Bumrah up front to get him off his game... if you'd told us we were chasing 200 at the start of the day and we were going to take 40 off Jasprit, we would have taken that every day of the week."

Iyer is the only captain to have led three different IPL teams to finals, winning with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and now aiming to make history with Punjab Kings.

RCB, known as IPL's 'nearly men,' have lost all three previous finals (2009, 2011, 2016) and are eager to break their streak. Their bowling attack, led by a bowler with 21 wickets in 11 matches and Suyash Sharma, remains formidable.

Virat Kohli, RCB's iconic player, is expected to draw a huge pro-Kohli crowd at the world's largest stadium.

The final marks a historic moment as both teams seek their maiden IPL crown, with Punjab Kings aiming to capitalize on their momentum and RCB looking to overcome past final disappointments.

Key stats:
- Punjab Kings' Shreyas Iyer: 603 runs in IPL 2025 at 54.81 average, strike rate ~176
- Punjab Kings scored 243/5 against Gujarat Titans and chased 204 against Mumbai Indians in playoffs
- RCB bowler with 21 wickets in 11 matches

Preity Zinta, Punjab Kings co-owner, expressed joy: "All smiles as @PunjabKingsIPL make it to the final after a SUPER TEAM EFFORT led by our dynamic sarpanch @ShreyasIyer15."

The stage is set for a thrilling final showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium, promising high drama and a first-time IPL champion.

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off at Narendra Modi Stadium in IPL 2025 final, both seeking maiden titles. Punjab, led by Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87, reached their first final in 11 years after defeating Mumbai Indians. RCB, IPL 'nearly men,' aim to break their losing streak in finals.