The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to welcome a new champion for the first time in nearly a decade, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) face off in a high-stakes final on Tuesday, June 3, in Ahmedabad. Neither side has lifted the IPL trophy before, setting the stage for a historic night.
Punjab Kings sealed their place in the final after defeating five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 on Sunday night. They now prepare to take on an in-form RCB side, who advanced to the final with a dominant win over PBKS in Qualifier 1.
RCB, who have often flattered to deceive over the years, are making their fourth appearance in an IPL final. However, they remain titleless, having finished runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016—losing those finals to Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively.
For PBKS, this marks only their second IPL final. Their first came in 2014—when they were still known as Kings XI Punjab—where they fell short against Kolkata Knight Riders. Since the introduction of the playoffs in 2011, this is only the second time they’ve progressed past the league stage.
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer adds a unique footnote to this year’s final. He becomes the first player in IPL history to lead three different franchises to the final—Delhi Capitals in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024, and now PBKS in 2025.
The two finalists have been the standout teams this season, finishing first and second in the league stage. Both ended with nine wins, four losses, and one no-result across their 14 league matches, with barely any difference in their net run rates.
They shared victories in the league phase—PBKS beat RCB in Bengaluru, while RCB won the reverse fixture in Mullanpur. In their most recent meeting during Qualifier 1, RCB bowled PBKS out for just 101 and chased the target down with ten overs to spare, securing direct qualification to the final.
PBKS then had to take the longer route, traveling to Ahmedabad to meet Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. They held their nerve to overcome MI for the second time in a week, booking their spot in the title clash.
With both sides eager to end their trophy droughts, and the tournament guaranteed to crown a new champion, all eyes now turn to Ahmedabad for what promises to be a thrilling IPL 2025 finale.