The IPL 2025 final will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Punjab Kings, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, are coming into the final with strong momentum after defeating Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. Iyer’s unbeaten 87 in a pressure run chase showed the team’s resilience. RCB, captained by Rajat Patidar, have dominated this season’s head-to-head against PBKS, winning two out of three matches, including Qualifier 1, where they bowled Punjab out for just 101 runs. Both teams have balanced lineups with key batters and bowlers ready to perform on the big stage. For fantasy cricket fans, this match will be crucial, and our detailed RCB vs PBKS Dream11 prediction will help you pick the right players and strategies for the IPL 2025 final.
Match Details: When & Where is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings Clash?
Date: 1st June 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Format & Stage: Finals, IPL 2025
Streaming & Broadcast: Live telecast on Star Sports Network and streaming on JioCinema/Hotstar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted Playing 11: Who Might Make the Cut?
Predicted Playing XI
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood.
Impact Player Strategy
Suyash Sharma will be used as an impact bowler, and Mayank Agarwal will be the impact batter.
Team Updates
Tim David’s availability will be known tomorrow. He pulled his hamstring against SRH in a league match, and the captain said he had no idea if Tim would play. If he is fit, Tim David will automatically replace Liam Livingstone.
Key Fantasy Picks
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Punjab Kings Predicted Playing 11: Players to Watch Out For
Predicted Playing XI
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kylie Jamieson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Arshdeep Singh.
Impact Player Strategy
Prabhsimran Singh will come in to open the batting, and Yuzvendra Chahal will be used exclusively as a bowler.
Team Updates
No changes from their last game against the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2.
Key Fantasy Picks
Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh.
Dream11 Fantasy Tips: Top Picks for Today’s Match
Virat Kohli
He is currently in excellent form, having amassed 614 runs across 14 games, including eight fifties. He remains a prime captain pick in Dream11 and is expected to lead the batting effort.
Shreyas Iyer
Anchors PBKS’s middle order with skill and calmness. He has accumulated 601 runs in 15 matches, featuring six fifties, and comes into this game after a standout performance in Qualifier 2.
Josh Inglis
Josh Inglis adds great value both as a wicketkeeper and an aggressive opener. He recently gave the impetus by scoring 38 off 20 in Qualifier 2 and holds 235 runs in 9 games with a strike rate of 165.
Yuzvendra Chahal
He is known for breaking partnerships in the middle overs. With 15 wickets in 11 matches, he took the key wicket of SKY and could pose a challenge to Kohli.
Josh Hazlewood
Boasting 21 wickets in 11 games, delivered a three-wicket haul in Qualifier 1 and has an unbeaten record in finals.
Wadhera
Contributes crucial runs for PBKS, scoring 354 runs in 15 matches with two half-centuries. His impactful 48 off 29 balls in Qualifier 2 helped shift momentum.
Top Batters for PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Team
Virat Kohli
The safest batting pick of the season. With over 600 runs in 14 matches, including eight fifties, Kohli is not just in form, he’s in command. A must-have in any Dream11 setup for this knockout clash.
Shreyas Iyer
After his chanceless knock against MI in qualifiers 2, which would remain as one of the greatest knocks played in the playoffs, you just cannot afford to leave him out. A dependable and safe pick for Dream11 players.
Prabhsimran Singh (Differential Pick)
The PBKS opener is long overdue for runs, having not scored in the last four matches. He has 523 runs in 16 matches with four fifties at a strike rate of 165. His aggressive style makes him a high-risk, high-reward differential pick.
Best All-Rounders to Consider
Krunal Pandya
A reliable all-rounder with 15 wickets and 105 valuable runs, making him a strong contributor with both bat and ball.
Romario Shepherd
Primarily a bowler with 5 wickets in 7 matches, Shepherd can finish innings effectively. Though he has scored only 53 runs, his strike rate is an impressive 353.
Marcus Stoinis
Has contributed 154 runs and picked up a key wicket, that of Rohit Sharma in Q2, adding useful balance to the team’s lineup.
Key Bowlers Who Can Earn Points
Ahmedabad is known as a batter’s paradise with scores of 200 plus being recorded at least 10 times in the IPL. The pitch offers a great batting surface, making it an absolute delight to bat on. However, with rains expected sporadically, slow bowlers and cutters are likely to benefit from the conditions.
Vijaykumar Vyshak
Has played 4 matches and taken 3 wickets. In the last match in Qualifier 2, he bowled 3 overs for 30 runs and took the key wicket of Jonny Bairstow. His cutters, slow balls, and dot deliveries have been effective.
Yuzvendra Chahal
He is a crucial spinner for PBKS and is known for his wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. He brings experience and skill, which is especially useful on pitches that assist spin.
Josh Hazlewood
With 21 wickets this season, he is a consistent and reliable pace bowler known for his accuracy and ability to pick crucial wickets. His experience in high-pressure games makes him a valuable asset for RCB in this final.
Yash Dayal
With 12 wickets in 14 matches, he has experience playing at GT and knows how to use slow balls and cutters effectively in these conditions.
Safe & Consistent Picks:
Captain: Virat Kohli (RCB)
Kohli is one of the most dependable players in the IPL, consistently anchoring innings and delivering under pressure. His experience and hunger for the trophy make him a safe captain pick.
Vice Captain: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)
Iyer leads from the front with steady performances, often holding the innings together and stepping up in crucial moments, making him a reliable vice-captain choice.
High Impact Differential Picks:
Captain: Phil Salt (RCB)
Salt is a proper hit or miss, capable of explosive innings that can change the game in minutes or quick failures, making him a risky but rewarding pick.
Vice Captain: Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)
Chahal can either bowl a tight economical spell or run through the opposition with multiple wickets, so he’s a high-risk, high-reward option for fantasy teams.
PBKS vs RCB Fantasy Team: Suggested Dream11 Lineup (Finals, IPL 2025)
Grand League Team (GL), High Risk, High Reward
WK: Jitesh Sharma
Batters: Prabhsimran Singh, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Nehal Wadhera
All Rounders: Romario Shepherd, Azmatullah Omarzai
Bowlers: Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kyle Jamieson
Ideal for Mega/Grand Leagues with 1,000+ participants. Built around high-risk, high-reward picks who can be game changers if they click.
Small League Team (SL), Safe & Balanced
WK: Josh Inglis
Batters: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal, Nehal Wadhera
All Rounders: Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal
Best suited for 3 to 10-member contests. Focuses on consistent, in-form players to minimise risk and maximise reliability.
Pitch Report & Conditions: Will It Help Batters or Bowlers?
The final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which has proven to be a batting paradise throughout the IPL. The pitch here is red soil, flat, hard, and offers true bounce, making it a dream surface for stroke makers. We’ve seen scores above 200 breached more than 10 times this season at this venue, and another high-scoring encounter looks likely.
However, there’s a twist: rain has been a concern. Qualifier 2 was delayed by nearly two hours due to showers, though thankfully no overs were lost. A similar scenario is expected for the final. The good news is that there’s an extended two-hour buffer before any overs are docked, and a reserve day is also in place to ensure a full game.
From a fantasy perspective, load your Dream11 with in-form batters and back a few reliable bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Josh Hazlewood who can deliver in crunch moments.
Impact on Fantasy Choices
Keep in mind the dew factor that will likely ease batting in the second innings, and since the pitch is also under covers, it will benefit the chasing team. Prioritise batters in the finals.
FAQs – Dream11 Tips for PBKS vs RCB Match
Q1: Who should be the captain for today’s Dream11 team?
Ans: Shreyas Iyer is a top captaincy option, especially after his stunning knock in Qualifier 2. He played a composed yet impactful innings under pressure, showcasing why he thrives in big games. Expect him to anchor the PBKS innings again.
Q2: Which pitch factors should fantasy players consider?
Ans: The Ahmedabad pitch is a true batting paradise, flat, hard, and high scoring. It’s been a road all season, so stack your team with batters and only back bowlers who can use cutters or variations effectively.
Q3: Is Tim David available for today’s match?
Ans: Very unlikely. His participation hasn’t been confirmed and will only be known at the toss. It’s safer to avoid him in your Dream11 plans unless he’s officially named in the playing XI.