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by Devesh Jaganath | in Indian Premier League Predictions
History will be made on Tuesday, June 3, when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings face off in the 2025 Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad. PBKS and RCB ended first and second, respectively, during the group stage, though the Kings finished in pole position thanks to a better net run rate. Let’s get into the match prediction!
Punjab and Bengaluru fans will be buzzing in the lead-up to Tuesday’s grand spectacle, as they will be hoping that this will finally be the year they see their side rise to IPL glory. Indeed, despite both teams featuring in every edition of the competition since 2008, neither has ever managed to win the tournament. The Kings have only ever reached the final once in the past, while RCB have suffered defeat at the final hurdle on three occasions.
Bookmakers have installed the Royal Challengers as the early favourites, but by a very slender margin. Let’s take a look at the key stats and how these two sides got to the final showdown.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Punjab Kings: Form Analysis
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a solid group-stage record, posting nine wins, four defeats and one no-result in their 14 league phase matches. However, they were outdone by the Kings on net run rate.
Still, RCB’s second place earned them a spot in Qualifier 1, and they rose to the challenge, delivering a record-breaking performance to beat the Punjab outfit by eight wickets and with 10 overs to spare.
As a result, the team from Bengaluru will be well-rested coming into the final, having last played on Thursday last week. They also have the psychological edge thanks to their big win in their last match.
RCB won all seven of their away matches in IPL 2025!
Meanwhile, we’ve said it all season long - the Punjab Kings have been the most improved team in the IPL this season, and they are now set to feature in the final after a thrilling victory on Sunday.
Following that heavy defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1, PBKS bounced back in style in Qualifier 2, ousting the fancied Mumbai Indians by five wickets and with an over to spare.
The Kings and Royal Challengers have met 36 times in the IPL over the years and have won 18 matches apiece. However, RCB have won five of the last six encounters, including the last two.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru & Punjab Kings Squad Analysis
The Royal Challengers received a massive boost heading into qualifier 1, with speedster Josh Hazlewood returning to the team after departing Bengaluru when the league was halted.
The Aussie made an instant impact on his return, notching up 3/21 against the Kings in Qualifier 1, which took his tally to 21 wickets in the competition, including a best of 4/33.
Will this finally be the year Virat Kohli earns his first IPL trophy?
The Indian superstar has once again been the backbone of this RCB team, currently their highest-run-scorer with 614 runs in 14 innings, at an average of just over 55.
On the other hand, the Kings have relied on team effort to get them to the final, but they have been led incredibly well by Shreyas Iyer, who is their top scorer with 603 runs to date.
The Punjab skipper led from the front against Mumbai in Qualifier 2, finishing as the highest run-scorer in the match with a knock of 87* runs off just 41 deliveries.
PBKS have missed Marco Jansen, though, with the lanky paceman now back with the Proteas. They will need the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson to be at their best with the new ball against RCB’s powerful top-order.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Punjab Kings Key Points
- RCB have won 10 of their 14 completed matches this season.
- RCB have beaten PBKS twice in three games this season.
- RCB have won five of the last six matches between these sides.
- The Punjab Kings lost Qualifier 1 by eight wickets and 10 overs.
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Our Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings Prediction
While the Punjab Kings will have momentum entering this match after their excellent performance against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, it’s difficult to overlook how comprehensively they were beaten by RCB in Qualifier 1. Not to mention, RCB have won every away game they've played this season.
The Royal Challengers also have a massive psychological advantage now, thanks to their Qualifier 1 win, and have had more time to rest and prepare for this blockbuster clash. We expect the Kings to produce a better effort on Tuesday, but we feel that this will be RCB’s year. Our Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings prediction is Royal Challengers Bengaluru wins the match.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings - Other Interesting Predictions
Virat Kohli over 32.5 runs
RCB’s stalwart has once again put his team on his back this year and enters the final as their top-scorer with 614 runs in 14 innings at an average of over 55. He has scored 30+ runs in 10 of his 14 innings this year.
Shreyas Iyer over 28.5 runs
Bookmakers have been a tad generous here, giving Shreyas Iyer an achievable line of under 30 runs. PBKS’ skipper is their top-scorer this season with 603 runs in 16 innings, and comes into this match off the back of a Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 87 off 41 against Mumbai.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings match : Frequently asked questions
The Indian Premier League final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings will be played on June 3 at 15:00 GMT.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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