IPL 2025: Key match-ups to look forward to in RCB vs PBKS Final

IPL 2025 Final: Shreyas Iyer vs Josh Hazlewood and other key-matches that could decide RCB vs PBKS showdown.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clash with Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Ahmedabad on June 3. This will be the maiden IPL title for either of the teams. So far, the two teams have met thrice in IPL 2025, with RCB winning two and losing one. Besides the battle to win the IPL crown, there will also be battles within the battle between players of both teams. Here are the key match-ups to look forward to in the RCB vs PBKS final.

Shreyas Iyer vs Josh Hazlewood
The Aussie pacer has dismissed the Punjab Kings captain twice in three matches this season. The manner of Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal in Qualifier 1 came under criticism as the skipper played a loose pull shot to a length ball. But Iyer made amends in Qualifier 2 and played balls on merit to power PBKS to their second IPL final. However, when the two players meet, Josh Hazlewood will have the edge over Iyer as he has got the better of the PBKS skipper recently. Overall, Hazlewood has dismissed Iyer four times out of 22 balls he has bowled to him, while giving away just 11 runs in T20 cricket.

But if Iyer’s performance against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 is any indication, the skipper looks determined and will come better prepared against the Aussie pacer. On the other hand, it would be vital for RCB to dismiss Iyer early, and none better than Hazlewood to do that job for them.

Read More: Shreyas Iyer’s 87*(41) in Qualifier 2 ranks at the top in terms of impact in a knockout game

Virat Kohli vs Punjab spinners
Kohli’s struggles against spinners in recent seasons have been well known. He has been circumspect with his footwork against spinners, and looks edgy initially against them. But Virat Kohli has been able to combat his struggles against spin in this season at least with his choice of shot selection, and a stronger mindset and willpower to dominate the tweakers. 

But spinners will continue to be interested when bowling to Kohli. None better than Harpreet Brar to bowl to Kohli. Brar is a left-arm orthodox spinner who has outfoxed Kohli in previous seasons. Brar has dismissed Kohli twice in the IPL before. Kohli averages 37 against Brar and has scored against him at a strike rate of 110.40. 

But Kohli takes pride in his work ethic and would look to deny spinners in the final. Besides Brar, YS Chahal vs Kohli would be a keen contest to watch out for. Chahal has dismissed Kohli only once before in IPL, conceding 47 runs off 34 balls. Both have played for RCB before, and know each other’s game inside out. So, who will blink first in this battle between Kohli and the spinners?

Read More: IPL to get a new champion in 2025: What does this moment mean for RCB & PBKS fans

Punjab batting vs RCB spinners
In the three matches played between Punjab and Bengaluru, RCB spinners have taken seven wickets out of the total 21 PBKS wickets to fall. Suyash Sharma has been the destroyer in chief, taking five of those seven wickets. Suyash bagged the man of the match for his 3/17 against Punjab in Qualifier 1. 

Punjab batters had struggled to read Suyash’s googlies both from hand and the pitch. Suyash once again will be the key to Bengaluru’s charge against Punjab batters. If Suyash delivers and takes wickets in the middle-overs, PBKS batting could self-destruct as seen in Qualifier 1. 

Krunal Pandya is also a crafty spinner with his clever variations and change of pace. Punjab have to tackle both Pandya-Suyash’s challenge to stop Bengaluru from running away with the trophy.

Read More: IPL 2025: Players to watch out for in Qualifier 2 & Final

Phil Salt vs Arshdeep Singh
Englishman Salt has never batted according to the reputation of a particular bowler. He is known to hit the balls to the boundary straight away, irrespective of the bowler or the reputation the latter carries. But this season, Arshdeep Singh has had the better of Salt twice in the two dismissals of the Englishman against Punjab. Overall, Arshdeep has dismissed Salt twice, while conceding 25 runs in 22 balls in T20 cricket. 

Hence, Arshdeep will once again be the key after going wicketless in Qualifier 1 against RCB. Salt would go about his business of scoring quick runs for the team. And this piece of stat would matter little to him. If there is a ball to hit, Salt would go about punishing them irrespective of the bowler, conditions, formats or anything else for that matter. It would be interesting to see who wins this battle between two players who are skilled in their field of play.

Read More: IPL 2025, Qualifier 2, PBKS vs MI: IPL to get a new champion as Punjab meet Bengaluru in the final