It all comes down to this. The IPL 2025 Final is happening Tuesday at the world’s largest cricket stadium, with a capacity of 120,000. And history is guaranteed — because neither Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) nor Punjab Kings have ever won the title since the league began in 2008.
RCB thrashed Punjab in Qualifier 1 last week, but Punjab bounced back by defeating five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier. Captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 87* — and he’s looking sharp.
This could be Virat Kohli’s moment. He’s done it all in cricket — two World Cups, legendary Test runs, and a farewell to the red-ball game just last month. But the IPL trophy? Still missing from his cabinet.
This will be RCB’s fourth IPL final, and Kohli has lost the previous three. For him, this is personal. “Those final defeats still sting,” he said recently.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Captain: Rajat Patidar
Key Players:
Punjab Kings
Captain: Shreyas Iyer
Head Coach: Ricky Ponting
Bowling Coach: James Hopes
Key Players:
This is shaping up to be one of IPL’s most emotional finals ever. If Kohli fires, the script writes itself — a fairytale finish. But Punjab looks balanced, fearless, and in form.
Verdict: Punjab Kings slightly edge it on team depth, but if it’s Kohli’s night, there’s no stopping RCB.