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2025 IPL Final – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Punjab Kings
Two establishment sides who are yet to lift the trophy get the chance to break their drought in Ahmedabad on Wednesday when the perennial underachievers Royal Challengers Bangalore tackle chronic strugglers Punjab Kings in what shapes as a history-defining moment for both franchises.
RCB have been building to this point, with this their fifth finals appearance in their last six seasons, and they qualified for the final by trouncing Punjab in the first qualifier, knocking over the Kings for just 101 thanks to excellent spells from Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood (3/21 off 3.3 overs) and homegrown leggie Suyash Sharma (3/17 off three overs), before an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls from English opener Phil salt piloted them home comfortably by eight wickets.
However Punjab managed to bounce back from that comprehensive defeat, outlasting the Mumbai Indians by five wickets in Monday's second qualifier off the back of a superb 87 not out off 41 balls from skipper Shreyas Iyer, which in conjunction with a powerful knock from powerful left-hander Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29 balls) allowed them to run down an imposing target of 204 with an over to spare.
Betting Strategy
Back (WIN) Royal Challengers Bangalore at $1.90+ for 2 units
The market doesn't have a great deal between the two teams but has installed Bangalore as narrow jollies to take out their first crown at the expense of Punjab who have not reached a decider since 2014. As I mentioned in the preview for the first qualifier, RCB boast a strong record against their rivals with that win on Friday their fourth consecutive victory over the Kings whose bowling attack has really struggled of late, conceding more than nine runs an over in their last seven matches, and with the Challengers able to call on multiple players who have competed in major ICC finals I believe the trophy is headed to Bengaluru.
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