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The stage is set for a historic showdown in the Indian Premier League as Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to face off in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3. This year’s title clash guarantees the crowning of a first-time IPL champion, as neither PBKS nor RCB has ever lifted the trophy in the tournament’s 17-year history.
Can RCB end their IPL title drought?
For Bengaluru, this will be their fourth appearance in an IPL final, having previously reached the summit clash in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Unfortunately for the franchise and their long-suffering supporters, each of those campaigns ended in heartbreak, with RCB finishing as runners-up to Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, respectively. Led by a mix of seasoned campaigners and exciting young talent, RCB will be desperate to break the jinx that has haunted them for over a decade. This season, they have showcased both consistency and flair, finishing second in the league stage and delivering a dominant performance in Qualifier 1, where they crushed Punjab by eight wickets. With form and momentum on their side, RCB are arguably in the best position they’ve ever been to finally claim the IPL crown.
Punjab Kings break their playoff curse with a win over Mumbai Indians
For Punjab , the journey to this final has been nothing short of remarkable. This is only the second time they have reached an IPL final the last occasion being in 2014, when the franchise was still known as Kings XI Punjab. That season ended in disappointment, with PBKS losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-scoring thriller. Since then, the franchise had struggled for consistency, managing to qualify for the playoffs only once before this season. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, Punjab have turned their fortunes around in 2025, finishing top of the league stage and showing grit through the playoffs. After a crushing defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1, PBKS bounced back impressively, defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to book their ticket to Ahmedabad for the final. The team now stands on the cusp of rewriting history.
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David Warner reveals his IPL 2025 winner and final’s player of the match
Australian opener David Warner, a former IPL champion with Sunrisers Hyderabad, has expressed strong support for RCB to go all the way this season. Warner, who famously led SRH to the title in 2016 by defeating RCB in the final at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, shared his prediction on social media when a fan asked him to name his pick for the IPL 2025 winner.
In his response, Warner said, ‘I think RCB and Josh Hazlewood man of the match,’ signaling his confidence in the current form of the Bengaluru-based franchise. Hazlewood, RCB’s frontline pacer, has played a crucial role this season, picking up 21 wickets in 11 matches so far. He is currently third in the Purple Cap race and has been pivotal with the new ball and at the death.
I think RCB and Josh hazelwood man of the match https://t.co/JUdTxak0hm
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) May 31, 2025
Warner believes that if Hazlewood produces a five-wicket performance in the final, not only could he steer RCB to their maiden title, but also claim the Purple Cap by surpassing GT’s Prasidh Krishna, who sits ahead of him in the standings. Hazlewood’s accuracy, discipline, and big-match experience make him a potential game-changer in the most important match of the tournament.
Also READ: Australia’s Alyssa Healy predicts the finalists and winner of IPL 2025
