The Impressive TimesAhmedabad, June 3– The IPL 2025 Final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025, was a culmination of a season filled with exhilarating performances and intense competition. The final showdown featured Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), both teams vying for their maiden IPL title. The match unfolded as a gripping contest, marked by strategic plays, individual brilliance, and moments of high drama.
Punjab Kings’ captain, Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and opted to field first, a decision influenced by the pitch conditions and the team’s chasing capabilities. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, took to the crease with the intent to set a formidable target. The decision to bat first was seen as an opportunity for RCB to leverage their batting depth and put pressure on PBKS in the high-stakes encounter.
RCB’s innings began with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli opening the batting. The start was cautious, with Salt departing early for 16 runs, caught by Shreyas Iyer off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling. Mayank Agarwal joined Kohli, and the duo attempted to stabilize the innings. However, Agarwal fell for 24 runs, caught by Arshdeep Singh off Yuzvendra Chahal’s delivery.
Rajat Patidar, the RCB captain, came in next and contributed a brisk 26 runs before being trapped lbw by Jamieson. Kohli, anchoring the innings, scored a steady 43 runs off 35 balls before being dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai. His innings, while providing stability, drew criticism for the lack of acceleration during crucial phases.
Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma added valuable runs, scoring 25 and 24 respectively. The lower order, including Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya, attempted to boost the total, but RCB concluded their innings at 190/9 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson were the standout bowlers for PBKS, each claiming three wickets and applying pressure throughout the innings.
Chasing 191 runs for victory, PBKS opened with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. The pair provided a solid start, accumulating 43 runs in the first five overs. Arya’s aggressive approach yielded 24 runs before he was caught by Phil Salt off Josh Hazlewood’s bowling.
Prabhsimran Singh continued to build the innings but was dismissed for 26 runs by Krunal Pandya, who delivered a crucial breakthrough. Captain Shreyas Iyer’s stay at the crease was brief, scoring only one run before being caught behind off Romario Shepherd’s delivery.
Josh Inglis emerged as a key figure in PBKS’ chase, displaying resilience and attacking prowess. He struck multiple boundaries and sixes, keeping PBKS in contention. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals, including Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh, hampered the momentum.
RCB’s bowlers, particularly Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood, maintained tight lines and lengths, effectively stifling PBKS’ scoring opportunities. Despite Inglis’ valiant efforts, PBKS found themselves needing 90 runs off the final 42 balls with six wickets in hand, a challenging equation under the circumstances.
Virat Kohli’s Anchoring Role: Kohli’s 43-run innings provided a foundation for RCB, though his conservative approach during the middle overs attracted scrutiny for not capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson’s Bowling Excellence: Both bowlers were instrumental in restricting RCB to a sub-200 total, claiming three wickets each and maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
Josh Inglis’ Counter-Attack: Inglis’ aggressive batting kept PBKS in the hunt, showcasing his ability to handle pressure situations and counter RCB’s bowling attack.
Krunal Pandya’s All-Round Impact: Pandya’s economical bowling and crucial wickets, including that of Prabhsimran Singh, played a significant role in derailing PBKS’ chase.
The IPL 2025 Final was a testament to the competitive spirit and tactical acumen of both teams. RCB’s ability to post a challenging total, combined with disciplined bowling, ultimately tilted the match in their favor. PBKS, despite a promising start and individual brilliance from Inglis, fell short in their pursuit.
The match underscored the importance of seizing critical moments and the impact of experienced campaigners in high-pressure scenarios. As RCB celebrated their maiden IPL title, the final served as a fitting climax to a season marked by exceptional talent and enthralling cricket.
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