New Delhi, June 2 – The wait for a new Indian Premier League (IPL) champion is almost over. After a thrilling Qualifier 2 victory over five-time champions Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings have secured their place in the IPL 2025 final, where they will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This historic showdown guarantees that the tournament will get a new champion for the first time in eight years.
Both Teams Eye Maiden IPL Glory
Neither RCB nor Punjab Kings have ever lifted the IPL trophy, making the 2025 final a high-stakes clash for both franchises. While RCB has featured in three finals before — in 2009, 2011, and 2016 — the team has never crossed the final hurdle. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are playing their second-ever IPL final, having lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 edition.
RCB: Fourth Final, History Beckons
Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by consistent performances and star power, have once again made it to the finals, marking their fourth appearance. In previous title matches, they suffered heartbreaks at the hands of Deccan Chargers (2009), Chennai Super Kings (2011), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016). This time, they’ll look to rewrite history and finally clinch their elusive maiden title.
Punjab Kings’ Remarkable Turnaround
Punjab Kings, formerly Kings XI Punjab, have stunned critics with a phenomenal turnaround. After years of underperformance and just one prior playoff appearance since 2011, they topped the points table this season and carried that momentum into the knockouts. Their impressive victory against Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 2 has given them a second shot at IPL glory.
Shreyas Iyer Scripts Captaincy Record
Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer has made history by becoming the first player in IPL history to captain three different teams to the final. He led Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020, guided Kolkata Knight Riders to a title in 2024, and now has propelled Punjab to their second-ever IPL final in 2025 — a testament to his leadership prowess.
Neck-and-Neck in League Stage
Both RCB and Punjab finished the league stage with identical records: 9 wins, 4 losses, and one no-result from 14 games. Only net run rate separated the two sides. Each team defeated the other once during the regular season, keeping the rivalry balanced heading into the summit clash.
In the first qualifier, RCB outclassed Punjab by bowling them out for just 101 and securing an easy win to enter the final. Punjab bounced back in the second qualifier, eliminating Mumbai Indians with a dominant performance.
All Eyes on June 3 Final in Ahmedabad
With two evenly matched teams, star-studded line-ups, and both hungry for their maiden title, the IPL 2025 final promises to be a blockbuster. Fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the June 3 showdown in Ahmedabad, where history will be written and a new IPL champion will be crowned.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
