The final of IPL 2025 has arrived, and once again, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is ready to try its luck in this great match. It will face Punjab Kings (PBKS), who made a bang entry by defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. RCB had made it directly to the final by defeating Punjab in Qualifier 1, but now the real challenge is ahead. This is the fourth time RCB has reached the final, and the pain of losing the last three times is still fresh in the hearts of the fans. So, will RCB be able to remove its ‘chokers’ tag this time, or will history repeat itself?
The Burden of History and the Mountain of Expectations!
RCB’s IPL journey has always been full of ups and downs. Despite having players like Virat Kohli in the team and match-winners like Faf du Plessis, Phil Salt, and this season’s captain, Rajat Patidar, in the last few years, the team has not been able to win a single title so far. The memories of losing the 2009, 2011, and 2016 finals still haunt RCB fans. This time, the team has lost just four matches in the league stage and the playoffs, which shows their consistency. They proved their bowling prowess by bowling out PBKS for just 101 runs in Qualifier 1.
But the pressure of the final is different. There is also a strange ‘curse’ of teams with “red jerseys” not being able to win the IPL, which affects both RCB and PBKS. Is it just superstition or something else?
Power Of RCB:
This season, RCB have played like a complete unit. They have many match winners, not just a few big names:
Balanced Squad: This year, RCB has strengthened its team by bringing in players like Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma. Josh Hazlewood has done wonders in bowling, and the team no longer relies on just 3-4 big names.
Top order consistency: Phil Salt has given a great start at the top, giving Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar a chance to settle.
Brilliant bowling: Bundling out PBKS for 101 in the first qualifier shows the sharpness of their bowling. Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, and Yash Dayal have played a key role.
Captain Rajat Patidar: Rajat Patidar has not only scored runs but has also looked calm and effective in captaincy. He has led the team well even in the presence of a senior player like Virat Kohli.
However, the pressure of the final and the burden of history will both be a big challenge for RCB. The defeat in the last three finals can also have a psychological effect on the players.
Punjab Kings: A new challenge!
In front is Punjab Kings, who are looking in a new form under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. By chasing 204 runs against the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, they have shown that they can chase any target and beat any team.
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy and form: Iyer’s captaincy and his stormy batting (87* runs in Qualifier 2) have proved to be a game-changer for the team. He is a captain who plays well under pressure.
Ability to chase big runs: Chasing 204 runs against MI will boost their confidence. They know that no target is big for them.
All-rounder performance: Players like Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera have also made important contributions, which shows that PBKS is not just dependent on Shreyas.
Both the teams have played each other in Qualifier 1, where RCB defeated PBKS easily. But, Punjab Kings will be high on confidence after their win in Qualifier 2, and they will enter the final as a different team.
Will history change this time?
This final is not just a match between two teams, but an opportunity for RCB to end years of drought. The expectations of the fans are sky high, and the players of the team would also like to capitalize on this opportunity. The biggest challenge for RCB will be to shed their “choker” tag. They have to focus on their natural game without any extra pressure. If they maintain their bowling edge like Qualifier 1 and Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Rajat Patidar bat well in batting, then this year could be RCB’s. This final is going to be a thrilling contest. Will RCB finally fulfill the dream of their fans by lifting their first IPL trophy? Or will Punjab Kings emerge as a new champion? This question will be answered on June 3 in Ahmedabad.