Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru meet each other in the Indian Premier League 2025 season final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, Tuesday. PBKS, who finished top of the 10-team table in the league stage, lost Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who reached the final. However, Shreyas Iyer’s men had another bite at the cherry in Qualifier 2. They faced the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 and eased to a win. MI had earlier reached Qualifier 2 with a win in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans by 20 runs.
What is the Context of the RCB vs PBKS Match?
Whoever wins this final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will land the IPL trophy for the first time in their 18-year journey.
This is PBKS’ 2nd IPL final since the tournament’s inception in 2008. PBKS reached the 2014 IPL final and ended as runners-up after going down against Kolkata Knight Riders.
This is a massive moment for PBKS skipper Iyer. He has taken a team to the finals for the 3rd time in his career as a captain. He led Delhi Capitals to the IPL 2020 final, where they lost to Mumbai. Last season, Iyer tasted success, helping KKR win the trophy against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Iyer has a chance of leading two different IPL teams to the title and making history. He is already the first skipper to take three different teams to the IPL final.
Meanwhile, RCB are in their 4th final. They have lost all three of their previous finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016. RCB wouldn’t want to lose a final for the 4th time because getting here is so tough. RCB are the 4th side in IPL history to reach 4-plus IPL finals after KKR, MI and CSK.
Another vital context is that RCB and PBKS have met thrice this season, with the former winning two games, including a one-sided affair in Qualifier 1 at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium.
Punjab Kings – Probable Playing XI
For PBKS, they are likely to use a similar combination to MI in Qualifier 2. However, there are question marks over Yuzvendra Chahal’s presence, who is not at 100% with a wrist injury. In this case, Harpreet Brar will come in.
Priyansh Arya
PBKS’ uncapped opening star Priyansh Arya has scored 451 runs in his debut season at 28.18. He has struck at 183-plus. PBKS need a big knock from the youngster.
Prabhsimran Singh
The star batter has 523 runs from 16 games this season and will want to make merry at the top. Since smashing three successive fifties, he has gone without one in 5 successive innings, with his best score being 28.
Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper)
With 239 runs for PBKS from 10 matches, Australia’s Josh Inglis remains a vital cog for his side in this crucial number three position. He has struck at 161-plus.
Shreyas Iyer (captain)
Iyer’s brilliant 87* in the Qualifier 2 clash versus MI helped PBKS claim a massive win. Iyer, who has struggled against RCB this season, owns 603 runs this season overall at 54.81.
Nehal Wadhera
Former MI player Nehal Wadhera has been a stern acquisition for PBKS. He has scored 354 runs this season. He hit a vital 48 vs MI in Qualifier 2.
Shashank Singh
With 289 runs from 13 innings, PBKS finisher Shashank Singh remains a fine bet for the team this season. He will enjoy the surface here.
Marcus Stoinis
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis is effective at the death, and he owns a brilliant strike rate this season. Stoinis surpassed 2000 IPL runs during the Qualifier 1 game. He remained unbeaten on 3 vs MI.
Azmatullah Omarzai
The Afghan all-rounder is of immense value, and his effectiveness in both departments will boost PBKS. He took 2 vital wickets versus MI in Qualifier 2.
Kyle Jamieson
Another all-rounder in the ranks lends voice and depth. Jamieson is an experienced big-hitter and a useful pacer. He claimed 1/30 from his 4 overs versus MI.
Vishal Vijay Kumar
The pacer is likely to get game time given the nature of the surface here. He has three wickets this season.
Arshdeep Singh
PBKS’ main weapon with the ball, Arshdeep, owns 18 scalps this season. Overall, he has 94 wickets in the IPL.
Impact Sub (Yuzvendra Chahal):
He returned as an Impact Player versus MI in the previous game and got Suryakumar Yadav’s vital scalp.
Key player to watch from PBKS
With over 600 runs this season, Iyer has been valuable as a batter. He is PBKS’ best bet. Also, he has done a solid job at Narendra Modi Stadium, scoring three successive fifties at this venue from 3 innings. His leadership skills are top-notch.
RCB Playing XI
It remains to be seen whether Tim David returns for RCB after an injury issue. If he comes in, it will be for Liam Livingstone.
Phil Salt
Englishman Phil Salt owns 387 runs from 12 matches this season, striking above 175. He can give RCB a strong start.
Virat Kohli
RCB supremo Kohli has 614 runs this season with 8 fifties under his belt. He is in line to become the top scorer versus PBKS in IPL history.
Mayank Agarwal
The experienced Mayank has impressed for his side in the last two matches. He brings a lot of value and experience. He is a vital cog.
Rajat Patidar (captain)
Rajat Patidar owns 286 runs from 13 innings this season. He led RCB well in Qualifier 1 and could do a similar job here.
Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
He can be pretty vital for RCB in that middle order. He is a match-winner and has the pedigree to come out strong.
Krunal Pandya
He has a massive role to play with his all-round exploits. He owns 15 scalps for RCB this season in addition to scoring 105 runs (6 innings).
Liam Livingstone
He has had a dismal campaign for RCB and remains a weak link. He needs to step up big time.
Romario Shepherd
He remains a threat with his bowling and big-hitting skills. He has 5 scalps this season from 7 games.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar can start well. He has dismissed Prabhsimran 5 times across 7 innings in the 20-over format. He owns 15 scalps this season.
Yash Dayal
He remains a vital cog for RCB with his left-arm pace. He has 12 scalps under his belt this season.
Josh Hazlewood
His return in Qualifier 1 was massive for RCB. He was on fire. Hazlewood has an outside chance to claim the Purple Cap this season.
Impact Sub (Suyash Sharma): He is RCB’s spin option as an Impact Sub. He blew PBKS away in Qualifier 1 with a 3-fer.
Key player to watch from RCB
Hazlewood, with 21 wickets this season at 15.80, has been a superb campaigner for RCB. His bowling can hurt PBKS. Hazlewood will hope to make an impact.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
Generally, the surface here is likely to help batting. The team winning the toss is most likely to choose to bat. In the IPL 2025 season, teams batting first have won six of the 8 games. PBKS chased down a 200-plus score in Qualifier 2 here. As many as 11 of the 16 innings here this season have witnessed scores in excess of 200.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
PBKS suffered a heavy defeat in Qualifier 1 and bounced back with the bat vs MI in Qualifier 2. With both sides having a balanced look, there is little to separate the two. Whoever holds the crucial phases well will win.
FAQs About RCB vs PBKS Playing 11
Who is injured or not playing in the RCB vs PBKS clash?
Chahal is injured for PBKS and is a doubt. On the other hand, David could miss the final for RCB with an injury.