The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 draws to a dramatic close on Tuesday, June 3, with the grand finale set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In a season filled with twists, heartbreaks, and high-octane performances, the final will see two perennial underachievers—Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings—battle for their maiden IPL title. For both teams, the journey has been long and emotionally charged, but it is Punjab’s passage to the final, powered by the brilliance of captain Shreyas Iyer, that stands out as one of the defining stories of this IPL.
In Qualifier 2, Punjab Kings took on Mumbai Indians in what turned out to be a late-night thriller. A rain delay pushed the start to 9:45 PM, but it didn’t dampen the intensity. Punjab won the toss and elected to bowl. Mumbai Indians, led by an in-form batting unit, posted a competitive 203/6 despite losing Rohit Sharma early for just 8. Valuable contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Jonny Bairstow helped set the target.
Punjab’s chase was far from straightforward. They lost Prabhsimran Singh early, and pressure began to mount. Josh Inglis and Priyansh Arya attempted a recovery, but quick wickets saw the middle order stumble. It was Nehal Wadhera who provided crucial resistance with a lively 48 off 29 balls, keeping the chase alive. But the night belonged to Shreyas Iyer. Walking in at a difficult stage, the Punjab skipper unleashed a sensational counterattack. His unbeaten 87 off 41 balls was not just a captain’s knock—it was a statement. Blending composure with fearless hitting, Iyer dismantled Mumbai’s bowling attack and sealed Punjab’s entry into the final after an 11-year gap.
This IPL season has also seen stellar individual performances. Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans emerged as the Orange Cap winner with 759 runs in 15 matches, while Prasidh Krishna leads the Purple Cap tally with 25 wickets. Close behind are Noor Ahmad with 24 and Trent Boult with 22. RCB’s Josh Hazlewood, who sits at fourth with 21 wickets, will look to make his mark in the final.
For Punjab Kings, this is their first final since 2014, when they fell short against Kolkata Knight Riders. For RCB, this marks a fourth final appearance after finishing runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016. With both sides still chasing their first IPL trophy, the 2025 final is more than just a match—it’s a shot at redemption.
As anticipation builds, fans around the world await a champion that will finally break years of heartbreak. And if Shreyas Iyer delivers one more inspired performance, it might just be Punjab’s time to lift the crown.
