By Chirag - Jun 02, 2025 09:01 PM
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final match between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) is set for Tuesday, June 3 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, and the stakes are quite high. A team long known for its passionate fanbase and star-studded lineups, RCB enters the final with a solid blend of experience and momentum. Here’s a detailed SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis for RCB as they chase their elusive maiden IPL title.
A significant asset for RCB is the wealth of title-winning experience among their players. Six members of their current setup—Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Suyash Sharma—have all lifted the IPL trophy with other franchises. This experience in pressure situations could be a major advantage in a high-stakes final.
Virat Kohli's participation is likely to provide RCB with enormous crowd support, even if Ahmedabad is a neutral ground. His star power and loyal fan following can energize the team and create a charged atmosphere akin to a home game.
Virat Kohli continues to be RCB’s talisman. He has repeatedly shown his class in critical matches—most notably in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. In IPL 2025, RCB have won every match where Kohli scored a fifty—eight in total—underlining how pivotal his contributions are in shaping results.
This final will be RCB’s first outing at the Narendra Modi Stadium this season, whereas Punjab Kings have already played—and won—two matches at the venue. The conditions might favor Punjab’s familiarity and adaptability, putting RCB at a slight disadvantage.
RCB’s batting order is predominantly right-handed, which could be exploited by Punjab’s spin duo—Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar. RCB may need to regain its tactical adaptability, even though they did try to offset this earlier by elevating left-hander Krunal Pandya.
Also Read: RCB's IPL Stats at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
RCB’s ability to read and exploit player matchups has been impressive. Their bowlers have favorable records against key Punjab batters:
RCB’s think tank must leverage these numbers to set up favorable bowling plans, particularly in the middle overs where Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis are most dangerous.
With experienced bowlers like Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood at their disposal, RCB have the tools to put pressure on Punjab’s middle order. Rajat Patidar’s captaincy could play a crucial role in timing their spells effectively to break partnerships.
Shreyas Iyer has rebounded from his earlier struggles against Hazlewood to deliver a sensational knock in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians. His newfound rhythm and confidence could pose a major threat, especially if he anchors the innings like he did recently.
Although not at full fitness, Yuzvendra Chahal remains a tricky opponent—especially with the added motivation of facing his former franchise. His dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav in the previous match, despite not being at his best, is a timely reminder of his match-winning potential.
Also Read: IPL 2025 Final: PBKS vs RCB - Who will IPL 2025 Final?
Quietly, Kyle Jamieson has become one of Punjab's most important weapons. His height and bounce troubled RCB in their last encounter, with the New Zealander dismissing Virat Kohli and keeping things tight. His form, combined with his ability to extract extra bounce, makes him a potential game-changer.
The IPL 2025 final promises to be a thrilling contest between two sides hungry for glory. Despite having a combination of star power, experience, and momentum, RCB must overcome the difficulties presented by new surroundings and a formidable opponent. If they can successfully neutralize Punjab’s middle-order threats and continue their smart match-up strategies, this might just be the year they finally lift the trophy.
Also Read: What RCB Must Do to Win IPL 2025 Final Against PBKS
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