The grand finale of IPL 2025 promises a thrilling face-off between two heavy-hitting teams – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Both sides have taken contrasting but working routes to the top, and now, everything comes down to one night. Let’s break down what to expect based on the season’s numbers.
What’s a Winning Score?
When it comes to setting targets, both teams know how to post big totals.
RCB has averaged 208.75 when they win batting first – a number that screams dominance.
PBKS isn’t far behind, with their winning first-innings average at 205.6.
But it’s not just about setting the score – chasing has also played a key role.
RCB has shown they are more comfortable chasing, with 60% of their wins coming while batting second. Their second-innings winning average is 171.29.
PBKS is more balanced, winning 50% of their games batting first and second, with a second-innings winning score of 167.56.
Scoring Trends: When Do They Accelerate?
In the games they’ve won this season, both teams have lit up different phases:
RCB’s Batting Strike Rates
- Powerplay: 166.39
- Middle Overs: 144.71
- Death Overs: 178.67
PBKS’s Batting Strike Rates
- Powerplay: 159.17
- Middle Overs: 146.19
- Death Overs: 187.92
While RCB brings explosive starts, PBKS finishes with a flourish. Their death overs strike rate is nearly 188, showing how dangerous they can be in the final stretch.
Bowling: Who Can Hold the Line?
This game might also come down to who can absorb pressure better with the ball.
RCB’s Economy Rates (In Wins)
- Powerplay: 9.57
- Middle Overs: 8.84
- Death Overs: 10.47
PBKS’s Economy Rates (In Wins)
- Powerplay: 9.74
- Middle Overs: 9.30
- Death Overs: 11.25
RCB has been slightly more economical across all three phases. PBKS, despite a more expensive death over rate, has banked on late-innings fireworks to outscore opponents.
Star Power: Kohli vs Iyer
Big players decide big games.
When Virat Kohli scores 30+, RCB win 90% of the time. When he doesn’t? That number drops drastically to 25%.
For PBKS, Shreyas Iyer’s impact is strong too. His team wins 71.43% of the matches when he scores over 30, and still maintains a 50% win rate when he doesn’t.
Clearly, both sides lean heavily on their star batters. If either of them gets going, they could swing the final.
What This All Means for the Final
Expect fireworks. Both teams can score big, and both have strong finishing ability. RCB’s slight edge in bowling control and their preference for chasing could make the toss crucial. PBKS will look to dominate the end overs with the bat, and they’ll hope Iyer fires.
It’s a final loaded with talent, trends, and tension. And on this stage, even the smallest advantage can make all the difference.
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