June 3, 2025 | PulseNext Sports Bureau
AHMEDABAD
- The stage is set for an epic confrontation between cricket's ultimate
contrasts. On Tuesday night, Shreyas Iyer's explosive Punjab Kings will face
Rajat Patidar's composed Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a final that promises
to crown a first-time IPL champion and settle the ultimate leadership duel
between aggression and calm.
The Captaincy Clash: Thunder vs Stillness
In a pre-final press conference
that perfectly encapsulated their approaches, the captains revealed their
philosophical divide:
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS):
"When you step on to the field, you are at war. I'll put in everything
to see my team wins."
- Fresh
off a semifinal masterclass (97*)
- Ratcheted
up rhetoric with "fight" and "war" metaphors
- Known
for emotionally charging young teammates
Rajat Patidar (RCB):
"Punjab are playing tremendous cricket. It will be a challenge."
- Delivered
the understatement of the season
- Prefers
12 words where others use 100
- Cultivates
zen-like locker room atmosphere
Roads to the Final
Punjab Kings' Rocky Path:
- Survived
Qualifier 2 after RCB demolished them by 8 wickets
- Relies
on six uncapped players molded by Iyer and Ponting
- Riding
momentum from imperious win over Mumbai Indians
RCB's Redemption Arc:
- Dominated
PBKS in recent encounters (5 wins in last 6)
- Powered
by Kohli's late-career resurgence
- Seeking
to end 18-year title drought
The Kohli Factor: Legacy on the Line
The emotional subplot: Virat Kohli's final chance for IPL
glory:
- 0
titles in 18 seasons
- Averaging
62.5 against PBKS in recent games
- "Desirous,
not desperate" according to insiders
- Last
final appearance: 2016 heartbreak
Tactical Battlelines
When: Tuesday, June 3 | 7:30 PM
IST
Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Pitch Report:
- Mixed-soil
surface producing 470+ runs in GT vs PBKS clash
- Equal
boundary dimensions
- Batting
paradise expected
Key Matchups:
- Iyer
vs Hazlewood (4 dismissals in 6 innings)
- PBKS
young openers vs RCB's powerplay stranglehold
- Arshdeep
Singh's death bowling vs Kohli/Salt
Probable XIs:
|
Punjab Kings |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
|
Prabhsimran Singh |
Virat Kohli |
|
Priyansh Arya |
Phil Salt |
|
Josh Inglis (wk) |
Mayank Agarwal |
|
Shreyas Iyer (c) |
Rajat Patidar (c) |
|
Nehal Wadhera |
Liam Livingstone |
|
Shashank Singh |
Jitesh Sharma (wk) |
|
Marcus Stoinis |
Romario Shepherd |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
Krunal Pandya |
|
Kyle Jamieson |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
|
Arshdeep Singh |
Yash Dayal |
|
Vijaykumar Vyshak |
Josh Hazlewood |
|
Harpreet Brar |
Suyash Sharma |
Stats That Matter
🔥 Head-to-Head: Deadlocked
at 18-18 (RCB won 5 of last 6)
📉 Arshdeep's decline:
Wicketless in 4 of last 5 games
📈 Hazlewood's playoffs: 12
wickets in 5 games
🎯 Iyer at Ahmedabad: Two
unbeaten gems (97, 87) this season
🏆 Historic note: First
final since 2016 without previous champions
Voices from the Camps
Shreyas Iyer:
"Take the bull by the horns. We must adapt quickly to their bowling
threat."
Rajat Patidar:
"I've tried creating an environment where domestic and international
players feel equal."
PulseNext Prediction
Expect fireworks on the
batter-friendly pitch. RCB's playoff experience gives them a slight edge, but
PBKS' fearless youngsters could rewrite the script. The Kohli factor looms
large - if the RCB legend finds his rhythm early, it might finally be his crowning
moment. Yet never underestimate Iyer's ability to inspire underdogs.
Tune In:
Live on Star Sports Network | JioCinema streaming | 7:00 PM pre-show
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