TUESDAY JUNE 3, 2025: AHMEDABAD - 18 YEARS OF WAITING ENDS!

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After eighteen long Indian Premier League seasons, tonight at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a historic final will unfold between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. Both teams share one common curse - they have never lifted the IPL trophy above their heads. One of them, however, will definitively end their 18-year trophy drought today.

The final clash begins at 7:30 PM local time in front of a sold-out stadium with a capacity of 132,000 spectators. The atmosphere will be electrifying as RCB fans travel from Bengaluru and Punjab supporters from across northern India. The world's largest cricket stadium is preparing for the match of the decade.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter their fourth final in club history with a clear advantage. After defeating Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, they secured direct qualification and valuable rest. They finished the league stage in second place with a 9-4-1 record and 19 points, representing their best league season in recent years.

"It's a dream we've been dreaming for 18 years," commented Virat Kohli, the Bengaluru team icon who is still seeking his first IPL trophy as an RCB player, before the final. The red army has all the cards in hand and experience from previous finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016.

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are completing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in IPL history. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, who became the first captain in IPL history to reach finals with three different teams (Delhi Capitals 2020, KKR 2024, PBKS 2025), they achieved their second final since 2014.

Punjab's path to the final was dramatic. Despite finishing the league stage in first place with the same record as RCB, they lost Qualifier 1. However, they bounced back in Qualifier 2, where they defeated five-time champions Mumbai Indians by five wickets. "We showed the character of fighters," said Iyer after the crucial victory.

Head-to-head statistics show perfect balance. Out of 36 matches played, both teams have won exactly 18 games each. This record perfectly illustrates how close a final awaits the spectators.

Weather could play the role of an unwanted referee. The forecast predicts possible evening showers in Ahmedabad, so the BCCI has a reserve day prepared for June 4. If that cannot be used either, Punjab Kings would automatically win the title as the team with better league stage positioning.

The toss will have crucial significance. The Ahmedabad wicket is traditionally friendly to batsmen, promising high scores. In a final, however, nerves can change all assumptions. RCB have experience from final matches, while Punjab Kings have fresh legs and current momentum.

Key battles of the evening will feature the duel between Virat Kohli and Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer's performance against RCB's spin attack, and the captaincy battle between experienced Faf du Plessis and historic Iyer. Mohammed Siraj from RCB will face Punjab's top order, while Yuzvendra Chahal from PBKS will take on the opposition's middle order.

Bowling in the final overs and fielding under extreme pressure will decide the winner. The team that makes fewer mistakes in decisive moments will take home the trophy. Death bowling specialists on both sides have built their careers for exactly such moments.

History awaits its new hero. After eighteen years of waiting, one of IPL's oldest "unsuccessful" teams will finally claim their first trophy. Will it be RCB with their red army of fans, or will Punjab Kings complete their fairytale comeback story?