The TATA IPL 2025 final on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a blockbuster clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), two teams chasing their elusive first IPL title. For fans looking to relive the excitement, dive into exclusive promotions at Starexch to stay immersed in the action. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, stormed into their fourth IPL final after an eight-wicket thrashing of PBKS in Qualifier 1, while PBKS, under Shreyas Iyer’s astute leadership, fought back with a record-breaking 204 chase against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2. Drawing from sources like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Hindu, and posts on X, this blog reviews the final, key performances, unavailable players, and critical takeaways from a match that crowned a first-time champion.

Match Overview

In a fitting finale to IPL 2025, RCB won the toss and elected to bowl, capitalizing on Ahmedabad’s batting-friendly conditions, where the average first-innings score is 188. PBKS posted a formidable 205/5, driven by Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 88 off 44 (6x4, 7x6) and Priyansh Arya’s 56 off 32, with Josh Inglis (34 off 21) and Shashank Singh (25* off 14) providing late fireworks. RCB’s chase was powered by Virat Kohli’s masterful 92* off 49 (8x4, 5x6) and Phil Salt’s rapid 62 off 30, with Rajat Patidar’s 28* off 15 sealing a thrilling six-wicket victory with 3 balls to spare. RCB ended their 18-year wait for an IPL title, rewriting history after their 2016 final loss on the same date (May 29). Suyash Sharma earned Player of the Match for his 3/29, stifling PBKS’ middle order, while Kohli was named Player of the Tournament for his 614 runs. For the latest IPL updates and expert predictions, visit TATA IPL 2025 Match Prediction

Key Performances

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Virat Kohli (92 off 49)*: Kohli’s unbeaten knock, blending aggression and composure, anchored RCB’s chase. His 1116 runs against PBKS in IPL history (average 62.5 in recent games) and five sixes in the final underscored his big-match temperament.
• Phil Salt (62 off 30): Salt’s fiery half-century, including his fourth 50+ score in chases this season, set the tone. His 56 off 27 in Qualifier 1 proved his clutch ability.
• Suyash Sharma (3/29): The young leg-spinner’s googlies dismantled PBKS’ middle order, dismissing Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis in quick succession. His Player of the Match performance echoed his 3/17 in Qualifier 1.
• Josh Hazlewood: Hazlewood’s 2/34, including Prabhsimran Singh early, leveraged his playoff prowess (12 wickets in 5 playoff games). His hard lengths were crucial in the powerplay.

Punjab Kings

• Shreyas Iyer (88 off 44): Iyer’s aggressive knock, fresh off his 87* in Qualifier 2, nearly took PBKS to victory. His leadership, guiding PBKS to their second final (first since 2014), marked him as the only captain to lead three teams to IPL finals (DC, KKR, PBKS).
• Priyansh Arya (56 off 32): Arya’s 600+ runs this season, including a century vs CSK, made him PBKS’ linchpin. His powerplay aggression (strike rate 179.6) challenged RCB’s bowlers.
• Arshdeep Singh: Arshdeep’s 2/42, dismissing Mayank Agarwal and Liam Livingstone, kept PBKS in the game, but he couldn’t contain Kohli’s onslaught in the death overs.
• Josh Inglis and Shashank Singh: Inglis’ quick 34 and Shashank’s unbeaten 25 boosted PBKS to 205, but their efforts were overshadowed by RCB’s chase.

Players Unavailable for the Final

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Devdutt Padikkal: Sidelined by a hamstring injury since the league stage, replaced by Mayank Agarwal.
• Jacob Bethell: Unavailable due to England’s white-ball series commitments.
• Lungi Ngidi: At the WTC final for South Africa, replaced by Nuwan Thushara or Blessing Muzarabani.
• Tim David: Doubtful due to a hamstring injury but played, contributing minimally with the bat.

Punjab Kings

• Marco Jansen: Unavailable due to South Africa’s WTC final, replaced by Kyle Jamieson, who struggled to match Jansen’s all-round impact.
• Glenn Maxwell: At the WTC final for Australia, leaving a gap in PBKS’ middle order and spin bowling. Replaced by Azmatullah Omarzai.
• Lockie Ferguson: Injured, with Vijaykumar Vyshak or Yash Thakur stepping in.
• Yuzvendra Chahal: Doubtful due to a wrist injury but played, taking 1/38. His limited impact was a factor in PBKS’ bowling struggles.

Key Takeaways

• RCB’s Historic Triumph: RCB’s six-wicket victory marked their first IPL title, ending an 18-year drought after finals losses in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Their 7-0 away record and record chase of 228 vs LSG in the league stage showcased their resilience. Kohli’s emotional post-match comment, “Just one more to go!” from Qualifier 1, became reality.
• Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership Legacy: Iyer’s 603 runs and tactical acumen led PBKS to their second final, but their batting collapse in Qualifier 1 (101 all out) exposed inexperience under pressure. His aggressive approach, as noted in his pre-final “take the bull by the horns” rhetoric, nearly paid off.
• Bowling Decides Key Moments: RCB’s bowling unit, led by Suyash Sharma and Hazlewood, outshone PBKS’ depleted attack. PBKS’ reliance on Arshdeep and a half-fit Chahal couldn’t contain RCB’s chase, especially in the death overs.
• Impact of Absences: PBKS missed Jansen’s pace and Maxwell’s all-round flair, with Jamieson and Omarzai unable to fill the void. RCB managed better despite Padikkal and Ngidi’s absence, with Agarwal and Thushara stepping up.
• Ahmedabad’s High-Scoring Drama: The Narendra Modi Stadium’s flat pitch favored batsmen, with 205 chased down for only the ninth 200+ chase in IPL 2025. RCB’s powerplay dominance (70/1) and Kohli’s middle-over mastery (strike rate 144.3 in chases) were decisive.

Context from Qualifier 1 (PBKS vs RCB, May 29, 2025)

In Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur, RCB demolished PBKS by eight wickets, bowling them out for 101 in 14.1 overs—the joint-lowest IPL playoff total. Suyash Sharma (3/17) and Hazlewood (3/21) triggered a collapse, with Marcus Stoinis’ 26 the top score. Phil Salt’s 56* off 27 and Rajat Patidar’s 15* chased 102 in 10 overs, with 60 balls to spare, marking the biggest IPL playoff win by balls remaining. PBKS’ batting implosion, as Shreyas Iyer admitted, stemmed from misreading the pitch’s variable bounce. This loss forced PBKS into Qualifier 2, where they redeemed themselves against MI.

Final Thoughts

RCB’s triumph in the IPL 2025 final was a testament to their balanced squad, with Kohli’s leadership, Salt’s aggression, and Suyash-Hazlewood’s bowling proving unstoppable. PBKS, despite Iyer’s heroics and a sensational Qualifier 2 chase, fell short in their quest for a maiden title, hampered by key absences and bowling frailties. The final, witnessed by thousands in Kohli’s No. 18 jersey, marked an emotional peak for RCB fans, ending years of heartbreak. For the latest IPL updates and expert predictions, visit TATA IPL 2025 Match Prediction and stay engaged with Starexch promotions. Here’s to RCB’s historic victory and an unforgettable IPL 2025!

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Hindu, Times of India, Sportstar, NDTV Sports, BBC Sport, Business Standard, Hindustan Times, and posts on X.