Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey

It’s been a drought-breaking year in sports in 2025, and that trend will continue as the final of IPL 2025 will be contested between two teams who have not yet won the title. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) go head-to-head for a shot at putting years of near misses, heartbreak and disappointment behind them.

This promises to be a magnificent finale. RCB and PBKS have been terrific this season, regularly delivering in crucial moments. Both did what they needed to do to finish in the top two, and their reward now is an appearance in the big one.

RCB thrashed PBKS in Qualifier 1, but if they think it’ll be that easy again, they may have another thing coming. Led by the ever-composed and classy Shreyas Iyer, PBKS held their nerve to beat five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. That kind of pressure, plus the experience of playing in Ahmedabad, can serve them in good stead.

That said, RCB have the quality and unity within their ranks to get the job done. Josh Hazlewood returned in Qualifier 1 and didn’t miss a beat. Suyash Sharma built on the pressure created by the pacers, and became the ninth different RCB player to win man of the match this season. And, of course, there is the small matter of Virat Kohli at the top, desperate to get his hands on the trophy that has eluded him for 17 years.

So, who will go on to win the IPL 2025 title? A new winner is guaranteed, adding not only to the intrigue around the contest, but surely nerves as well. However, both teams have calm leaders in their ranks, and they will need to display composure of the highest order to get over the line in a game that could be decided by the barest of margins.

In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Ahmedabad pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 prediction for the IPL 2025 Final between RCB and PBKS.

IPL 2025 Final: RCB vs PBKS Possible Playing XIIs

Tim David was pictured at an RCB training session. He is a chance of returning to the XII after injuring his hamstring before the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Rajat Patidar (c), 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6. Romario Shepherd, 7. Liam Livingstone/Tim David, 8. Krunal Pandya, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Josh Hazlewood, 11. Yash Dayal, 12. Suyash Sharma

Harpreet Brar has an excellent record against RCB (11 wickets, avg. 20.9, econ. 7.67). But, there may not be room for him.

Punjab Kings: 1. Priyansh Arya, 2. Prabhsimran Singh, 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Nehal Wadhera, 6. Shashank Singh, 7. Marcus Stoinis, 8. Azmatullah Omarzai, 9. Vijaykumar Vyshak, 10. Kyle Jamieson, 11. Arshdeep Singh, 12. Yuzvendra Chahal

Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather

Ahmedabad has hosted eight matches in IPL 2025. The team batting first has scored 200+ on seven occasions, with an average score of 218.88. Pacers have taken 65 wickets on this ground this season. Spinners have taken 28.

Teams batting first have won six of these eight matches. However, PBKS’ victory in Qualifier 2 may encourage chasing here.

According to AccuWeather, there is a chance of an afternoon shower in Ahmedabad. In good news, the evening and night is forecast to be clear, with a top of 30 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for RCB vs PBKS: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• If Phil Salt gets through the Arshdeep Singh matchup, he can make a significant contribution. Salt struck 56* (27) in Qualifier 1 against PBKS, making it 175 runs in his past four innings.
• Josh Inglis has been terrific in recent games. He has made scores of 30, 32, 73 and 38 in his last five outings, with the only low score against RCB in Qualifier 1. His battle against RCB’s pacers will make for fascinating viewing.

Key batter picks:

• Shreyas Iyer was simply magnificent in Qualifier 2. He is a genuine captaincy option and can make a big score if he gets through the Hazlewood matchup. The PBKS captain has smashed 242 runs off 107 balls in T20s on this ground without dismissal.
• A big Virat Kohli innings in an IPL Final written in the stars? He has a fantastic record in T20s on this ground: 12 inns, 477 runs, avg. 68.14, SR 137.86.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Longer square boundaries can bring Krunal Pandya in the contest. RCB can look to use him against PBKS’ in-form right-handers, including Josh Inglis who has been dismissed four times by spin this season at an average of 17. Also, Shreyas strikes at just 84.3 against Krunal in the IPL.

Key bowler picks:

• Josh Hazlewood is a big game player. The fast bowler has taken an impressive 21 wickets in 11 matches this season, including 3/21 in Qualifier 1. He has a dominant record against Shreyas Iyer: 22 balls, 11 runs, four wickets and has also dismissed Josh Inglis twice in six balls in T20s.
• Arshdeep Singh has gone wicketless in four of his last five games. But, he remains a solid fantasy pick as he bowls in the crunch overs and has good numbers against Phil Salt.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar has strong head-to-head numbers against PBKS’ key players. He has dismissed Prabhsimran Singh five times in 42 balls (68 runs) and Shreyas Iyer three times in 50 balls for just 45 runs.
• Prabhsimran Singh is looking for form after scores of 21, 28, 13, 18 and 6 in his past five knocks.
• Yash Dayal had an excellent outing in Qualifier 1. His battle against Priyansh Arya is important as the PBKS opener has been dismissed by left-arm seam three times in his past five games (including Dayal).
• Marcus Stoinis and Azmatullah Omarzai are key players down the order for PBKS and can be called on to bowl early. Both, especially Omarzai, can get the ball to swing in the earlier overs.
• Romario Shepherd can offer a good point of difference as he bowls 2-3 overs and can finish strongly with the bat. He smashed 53 off 14 balls against CSK earlier this season.
• Yuzvendra Chahal has had an up-and-down season but can come in handy against Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal (see below).

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: RCB 18, PBKS 18.
• Krunal Pandya vs Shreyas Iyer in the IPL: 51 balls, 43 runs, one dismissal.
• Arshdeep Singh vs Phil Salt in all T20s: 38 balls, 38 runs, four wickets.
• Yuzvendra Chahal vs Mayank Agarwal in the IPL: 51 balls, 75 runs, seven wickets.
• Yuzvendra Chahal vs Jitesh Sharma in the IPL: 35 balls, 41 runs, three wickets.

IPL 2025 Final: RCB vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2025 Final: RCB vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who will win?

What a difficult match to predict. A final that has the potential to be a classic.

RCB, as they won Qualifier 1, had a few extra days’ preparation. That, along with their bowling attack, can get them over the line.

RCB to win the title.