IPL 2025 Final Match 74th: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Pre-Match Analysis & Predictions
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 reaches its climax with the IPL 2025 Final Match 74th, pitting Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. This IPL 2025 Final Match Pre-Match Analysis dives into the squads, player performances, venue insights, and predictions, including the likely Player of the Match, the most impactful bowler, and whether the team batting first or second holds the advantage. Both teams, part of the IPL’s “Holy Trinity” of trophy-less franchises, are chasing their maiden title, making this PBKS vs RCB clash a historic showdown. With RCB’s dominant Qualifier 1 win and PBKS’s resilience in Qualifier 2, this final promises high-octane cricket.
Match Overview: IPL 2025 Final Match 74th
- Teams: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Date & Time: June 3, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Live Streaming: Star Sports Network (TV), JioHotstar (online)
- Stakes: The winner claims the IPL 2025 title, ending a 17-year drought for either franchise.
Playoff Journey and Points Table Recap
RCB secured second place with 16 points (8 wins, 6 losses, NRR +0.480), earning a direct final berth after an 8-wicket thrashing of PBKS in Qualifier 1 on May 29, chasing 102 in 10 overs. PBKS topped the league with 19 points (9 wins, 4 losses, NRR +0.372) but faltered in Qualifier 1, only to bounce back with a 5-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, chasing 204 in 19 overs. PBKS’s batting depth and RCB’s bowling prowess set the stage for a thrilling IPL 2025 Final Match 74th.
Squad Information
Punjab Kings Squad
- Probable XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar
- Impact Players: Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Pravin Dubey, Xavier Bartlett, Glenn Maxwell
- Key Notes: Yuzvendra Chahal’s hand injury makes him doubtful, with Harpreet Brar likely to replace him. Marco Jansen’s absence (national duty) sees Omarzai as a key all-rounder. PBKS’s powerplay batting, led by Priyansh Arya, has been a strength.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad
- Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
- Impact Players: Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh
- Key Notes: Josh Hazlewood’s return has bolstered RCB’s bowling, while Tim David’s hamstring injury limits him to batting. Devdutt Padikkal’s absence sees Mayank Agarwal at No. 3, adding experience.
Venue Analysis: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Pitch Report: Ahmedabad’s red-soil pitch is balanced, with an average first-innings score of 175. Early swing aids pacers like Hazlewood and Arshdeep, but the surface flattens, favoring batsmen like Kohli and Prabhsimran. Boundaries are 61m (square) and 75m (straight), encouraging lofted shots. Six of seven matches this season were won by teams batting first, suggesting a defendable 180-190.
- Weather: Clear skies with 32°C and minimal dew ensure a fair contest, reducing the chasing advantage seen at other venues like Mullanpur.
- Toss Advantage: Batting first has a slight edge, with teams defending totals in 6 of 7 Ahmedabad matches. The Kookaburra ball offers 3-4 overs of swing, but dew absence balances the contest.
Player Performance Analysis
Punjab Kings Key Players
- Prabhsimran Singh Performance: With 360 runs in 10 matches (average 36, strike rate 162.16), Prabhsimran’s powerplay aggression (33 off 17 vs RCB on April 20) is key. His early dismissal by Hazlewood in Qualifier 1 (7 balls) makes this matchup critical. A big score could earn him Player of the Match.
- Shreyas Iyer Performance: PBKS’s captain has 353 runs (average 50.43, strike rate 159.72), but his 25 runs in four Mullanpur innings and three dismissals by Hazlewood (19 balls) are concerns. His 31* in Qualifier 2 shows resilience.
- Arshdeep Singh Performance: The top wicket-taker for PBKS with 86 IPL wickets, Arshdeep’s 16 wickets this season (average ~18, economy ~8.00) include two dismissals of Kohli. His hard-length bowling makes him a most dismissable bowler contender.
- Azmatullah Omarzai Performance: Replacing Jansen, Omarzai’s 3 wickets and quick 30s add balance. His pace could trouble RCB’s middle order, but Suyash Sharma’s spin has dismissed him once.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Key Players
- Virat Kohli Performance: With 614 runs (average 56.25, strike rate 147.54), Kohli’s 73* off 54 vs PBKS (April 20) and 35 in Qualifier 1 highlight his form. His struggles against Arshdeep (two dismissals in 15 balls) make this a key battle, but his experience positions him as a Player of the Match favorite.
- Phil Salt Performance: Salt’s 281 runs (average 40.14, strike rate 177.84) include a 23-ball 50 in Qualifier 1, the fastest in IPL 2025 playoffs. His powerplay dominance (61/1 in Qualifier 1) suits Ahmedabad’s pitch, but Arshdeep’s swing is a threat.
- Josh Hazlewood Performance: With 18 wickets (average ~16, economy ~7.50), Hazlewood’s 3/17 in Qualifier 1 (dismissing Iyer and Inglis) makes him the top most dismissable bowler candidate. His hard-length bowling exploits Ahmedabad’s bounce.
- Suyash Sharma Performance: The legspinner’s 3/17 in Qualifier 1, exploiting PBKS’s reckless sweeping, was pivotal. His googlies could trouble PBKS’s middle order, though his 8.00 economy may be tested on Ahmedabad’s flat pitch.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 35
- RCB Wins: 19
- PBKS Wins: 16
- Key Matches:
- Ahmedabad Context: RCB’s 7-0 away record in the league stage and Qualifier 1 win give them a slight edge at neutral venues like Ahmedabad.
Pitch and Tactical Insights
- Pitch Report: Ahmedabad’s pitch supports big scores (180-200), with early swing for pacers like Hazlewood and Arshdeep fading after 4 overs. Spinners like Suyash and Harpreet may find grip later, but batsmen dominate the middle overs.
- Batting First vs Second: Teams batting first won 6 of 7 matches at Ahmedabad, suggesting a defendable 190+. Minimal dew ensures bowlers remain effective, reducing the chasing advantage. The Kookaburra ball, not Duke, offers early swing, mimicking a “Duke impression” for 3-4 overs.
- Tactical Key: RCB will rely on Kohli and Salt for a 100+ powerplay, with Hazlewood targeting PBKS’s top order. PBKS need Priyansh and Prabhsimran to counter early swing, while Arshdeep and Jamieson exploit RCB’s middle order. RCB’s spinners must contain PBKS’s aggressive batsmen like Shashank Singh.
Player of the Match Prediction
Virat Kohli is the top contender for Player of the Match due to his 614 runs and match-defining 73* against PBKS (April 20). His experience at Ahmedabad (3 fifties in last 5 matches) and ability to anchor chases or set big totals make him ideal. If PBKS wins, Prabhsimran Singh could claim the award with a powerplay blitz (e.g., 33 off 17 vs RCB), breaking RCB’s bowling rhythm.
Most Dismissable Bowler Prediction
Josh Hazlewood is the likely most dismissable bowler, with 18 wickets and a 3/17 haul against PBKS in Qualifier 1, dismissing Iyer and Inglis in 7 balls. His hard-length bowling suits Ahmedabad’s bounce, targeting PBKS’s top order. Arshdeep Singh is a close second, with 16 wickets and two dismissals of Kohli, making him dangerous in the powerplay.
Match Winner Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are favored to win the IPL 2025 Final Match 74th due to their dominant 8-wicket win over PBKS in Qualifier 1, a 19-16 head-to-head edge, and a 7-0 away record in the league stage. Their bowling depth (Hazlewood, Suyash, Dayal) and batting stability (Kohli, Salt, Patidar) give them a 60-40 edge. PBKS’s batting firepower (Prabhsimran, Iyer, Shashank) and Arshdeep’s bowling make them competitive, but their Qualifier 1 collapse (101 all out) exposes vulnerabilities. Historical trends favor Qualifier 1 winners (11/14 finals since 2011), bolstering RCB’s chances.
Predicted Score:
- If RCB Bats First: 190-200, defendable with Hazlewood and Suyash’s bowling.
- If PBKS Bats First: 180-190, chaseable if Kohli and Salt dominate the powerplay.
Key Battles:
- Kohli vs Arshdeep: Arshdeep’s two dismissals of Kohli in 15 balls could disrupt RCB’s start.
- Salt vs Jamieson: Salt’s powerplay aggression faces Jamieson’s bounce, as seen in Qualifier 1’s wicket-maiden.
- Prabhsimran vs Hazlewood: Hazlewood’s early dismissal of Prabhsimran in Qualifier 1 is a matchup to watch.
Why This Match Matters
The IPL 2025 Final Match 74th at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad is a landmark event, with RCB chasing their first title after runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016, and PBKS seeking their maiden championship since their 2014 final loss. Dubbed the “Holy Trinity” alongside Delhi Capitals for their trophy-less history, one team will end a 17-year drought, while the other faces heartbreak. Fans searching for PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Final Match Pre-Match Analysis, or Virat Kohli performance will find this match pivotal, with legacies at stake.
Stay Updated
Watch the IPL 2025 Final Match 74th live on Star Sports Network or JioHotstar, and follow ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and Times of India for real-time updates, scorecards, and highlights. Don’t miss the drama as PBKS vs RCB battle for glory on June 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST