RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 Final: Iyer vs Hazlewood, Kohli vs Brar and other player battles to watch out for

On June 3, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host a historic showdown. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)—one of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) most passionately-supported franchises—and Punjab Kings (PBKS), a team with a quieter but determined following, will face off in a high-stakes title clash . Both sides carry the weight of unmet expectations, yet only one will finally break through and claim their maiden IPL title.

For 18 long years, these teams have pursued the same elusive dream—an IPL trophy. No celebrations, no title parades—only heartbreaks and near-misses. But on Tuesday night, one will finally end that wait.

But the question remains—who will it be?

The head-to-head record only deepens the intrigue. Across 36 IPL encounters, RCB and PBKS are deadlocked with 18 wins each. However, this season has seen the scales tip slightly in Bengaluru’s favor, with two victories out of three against Punjab, including a dominant performance in Qualifier 1. For now, momentum wears red and gold.

More from First Cricket

Former New Zealand coach who defeated India in WTC final appointed Andhra Pradesh head coach for Ranji Trophy Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh by six wickets to record commanding win in Asia Cup 2025

Still, finals are rarely decided by momentum alone. They are won in the pressure cooker of key battle—those intense individual duels and psychological games that unfold away from the spotlight. This final is no exception. From Phil Salt versus Arshdeep Singh to Josh Hazlewood versus Shreyas Iyer, the contest is rife with personal rivalries that could turn the tide.

Here are five crucial match-ups that could determine which team lifts the coveted trophy on this historic night in Ahmedabad.

Phil Salt vs Arshdeep Singh

So far, Arshdeep has had Salt in his pocket. Across T20s, Salt has managed just 38 runs off 38 balls, with 23 dot balls and four dismissals to his name—a strike rate of 100 and a batting average of 9.50. By every metric, it has been a one-sided duel.

But something changed in Qualifier 1. Salt came out with a clear mantra—“Do not get out to Arshdeep.” He not only survived but thrived, hammering an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls . Against Arshdeep, he scored 13 off six deliveries—a defiant shift in the narrative after a series of personal nightmares. Arshdeep, rattled and rusty, struggled to find his lengths. Salt, composed and clinical, used the pace on offer to find the boundary repeatedly.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Can Arshdeep reclaim his edge under pressure? Or has Salt cracked the code at just the right time?

Shreyas Iyer vs Josh Hazlewood

Shreyas Iyer might be Punjab’s captain and middle-order stabiliser, but against Josh Hazlewood, he’s been little more than a statistic. In T20s, Iyer has fallen to Hazlewood four times in 22 balls, managing only 11 runs with a dismal average of 2.75—the kind of record bowlers dream of and batters dread.

Hazlewood, with his immaculate length, seam movement, and extra bounce, has been a stylistic nightmare for Iyer, who prefers pace on the ball and doesn’t enjoy short-of-a-length bowling at his body. The story repeated itself in Qualifier 1, where Iyer was dismissed for 2—again by Hazlewood—in a manner that felt inevitable.

Punjab must protect their captain better this time, perhaps delaying his entry until Hazlewood’s first spell is done. If they don’t, history suggests Iyer won’t last long.

Prabhsimran Singh vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In many ways, Prabhsimran Singh represents PBKS’s aggressive ethos at the top. But when he faces Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the aggression often turns into anxiety.

In T20s, Prabhsimran has scored 68 runs off 42 balls from Bhuvneshwar while falling to him five times. His strike rate of 161.90 is healthy, but the average of 13.60 suggests not just a struggle, but a pattern. Even in the recent qualifier, he started brightly—hitting two crisp boundaries—only to edge a short-pitched ball behind. The dismissal was the turning point from which the entire momentum of the innings and the match shifted towards RCB .

For Punjab, this is a test of growth. Can Prabhsimran show maturity in the final and resist the urge to over-attack Bhuvneshwar’s guile?

Jitesh Sharma vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal may no longer be at the peak of his powers, but against Jitesh Sharma, he still holds the upper hand. Across T20s, Chahal has dismissed the RCB wicketkeeper-batter three times in 35 balls, conceding just 41 runs—a modest strike rate of 117.14 and an average of 13.66.

What makes this battle intriguing is its tactical depth. Jitesh loves taking on spin, but he’s less assured against wrist-spin that turns away and pulls his balance out of shape. Chahal, despite ageing legs and waning fizz, can still produce that killer ball—the one that dips, rips, and tempts.

This battle will likely unfold in the middle overs, where RCB will hope for consolidation and Punjab will be hunting for a breakthrough.

Virat Kohli vs Harpreet Brar (if picked)

This match-up isn’t guaranteed, but it could be decisive. Punjab Kings left out Harpreet Brar in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians , opting instead for the extra pace of Vijaykumar Vyshak. However, with the final against RCB looming, the management might consider bringing Brar back—specifically to target Virat Kohli.

There’s a sound tactical reason. Kohli’s strike rate against left-arm orthodox spin in T20s is noticeably lower, especially during the middle overs. While Brar hasn’t dismissed Kohli often—just two occasions in 67 balls to be precise—but his ability to bowl a tight line from over the wicket and cramp him for room has proved effective before. In a final—where pressure compresses intent—this match-up could subtly shift momentum in Punjab’s favour.

If picked, Brar’s spell might be short, but its impact could be enormous. Containing Kohli—or even better, removing him early—has long been the blueprint to stall RCB. Punjab would do well to remember that.