Bengaluru post 190 in 20 overs, Virat Kohli anchors with 43

A new chapter in IPL history will be written on Tuesday as a first-time champion is guaranteed to emerge at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The much-anticipated final of the tournament’s 18th edition will see Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru lock horns, with both franchises chasing their maiden title after years of unfulfilled promise.

Throughout IPL 2025, both Punjab and Bengaluru have displayed remarkable consistency. Punjab Kings topped the points table at the end of the league stage, closely followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in second place. Their dominance this season has set the stage for a final that promises intensity, passion, and possibly redemption for two sides that have long lived in the shadow of more successful teams.

Over the past 17 completed IPL seasons, seven different franchises have lifted the coveted trophy. Among them is Deccan Chargers, now defunct, and Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad, neither of whom were part of the inaugural season in 2008. Despite fielding squads brimming with talent over the years, Punjab and Bengaluru have remained titleless, often faltering at the final hurdle.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made it to the final on three previous occasions, in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but fell short each time, missing out on the ultimate prize. Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, came close to glory once in 2014 but were denied by Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling final. Now, after an 11-year wait, they have a golden opportunity to end their drought.

When it comes to head-to-head encounters, the rivalry between the two teams is as balanced as it gets. In their 36 meetings across IPL history, both sides have secured 18 wins apiece, underscoring the evenly matched nature of their competition. Most recently, in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, RCB dismantled Punjab Kings with an eight-wicket victory, thanks to Philip Salt’s brisk 56-run knock.

Punjab, however, bounced back in Qualifier 2 with a gritty win over Mumbai Indians. Shreyas Iyer played the anchor role with a commanding 87-run innings, guiding his team to their first final in over a decade. Now, both sides are within touching distance of history. As anticipation builds, fans can expect a clash brimming with emotion, stakes, and the promise of long-awaited glory for one of IPL’s perennial underachievers.

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Full squads

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Tim Seifert, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Blessing Muzarabani, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Toss update

Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Playing XIs

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 final live updates: Match begins!

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli opens proceedings for RCB in the IPL 2025 final, PBKS` Arshdeep Singh in with the new ball.

Shankar Mahadevan delivered a heartfelt musical tribute to the Indian armed forces ahead of the IPL 2025 final between RCB and PBKS at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3.

The performance honoured the bravery of the armed forces during Operation Sindhoor, a decisive… pic.twitter.com/q3k1BFfcqz

— Mid Day (@mid_day) June 3, 2025

Romario Shepherd accelerates to an unbeaten 17 from eight balls, smashing a boundary followed by a massive six off Azmatullah Omarzai. The Afghan fast bowler finishes his spell conceding 35 runs with one wicket in four overs.

RCB: 187/6 (19)

An appeal for caught behind is raised, and the umpire declares Jitesh out! Reacting instantly, Jitesh opts for a DRS review. The replay shows the ball brushing close to the bat, but no clear edge is detected. Jitesh is reprieved, sparking a thunderous cheer from the RCB supporters in Ahmedabad.

RCB: 171/6 (17.3)

Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone launched a brief but explosive assault on Kyle Jamieson, hammering three towering sixes in a single over. However, the tall New Zealander had the last word, striking back to dismiss the dangerous Livingstone and break the momentum for Punjab Kings.

RCB: 168/5 (17)

Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a telling blow in the 15th over by removing the well-set Virat Kohli for 43 from 35 balls. The seasoned Afghan all-rounder cleverly altered his pace and length, prompting Kohli into an uncharacteristic mistimed shot. The RCB icon’s measured innings, which had kept his side steady, came to an end just as the team looked to accelerate. With this crucial breakthrough, Punjab Kings tightened their grip on the match, claiming their fourth scalp and halting RCB’s momentum at a vital juncture.

RCB: 132/4 (15)

Yuzvendra Chahal and Vijaykumar Vyshak tighten the screws for Punjab Kings with disciplined bowling, applying pressure as Royal Challengers Bengaluru struggle to find boundaries. With momentum slowing, players from both camps take a strategic time-out to regroup and reassess.

RCB: 111/3 (13)

Kyle Jamieson returns to the attack and breaks through with the crucial wicket of RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, halting his steady innings as Punjab Kings strike again.

RCB: 97/3 (11)

Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli keep the scoreboard ticking against Azmatullah Omarzai, maintaining Bengaluru’s strong position at the halfway mark of the innings.

RCB: 87/2 (9)

Yuzvendra Chahal breaks the partnership by dismissing a well-set Mayank Agarwal, who scored 24 off 18 balls, as RCB lose their second wicket just after the powerplay.

RCB: 61/2 (7)

Azmatullah Omarzai comes into the attack and gives away seven runs in his first over, keeping things relatively tight in the high-stakes final.

RCB: 46/1 (5)

Mayank Agarwal announces his arrival in the title clash with a towering six off Arshdeep Singh, igniting the Punjab Kings’ innings in style

RCB: 30/1 (3)

Kyle Jamieson strikes early, removing RCB opener Phil Salt in his very first over to give Punjab Kings a dream start in the final.

RCB: 19/1 (2)

This article first appeared on Mid Day