In a high-octane IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB suffered an early blow as their explosive opener Phil Salt was dismissed for just 16 runs off 9 balls.
Facing towering pacer Kyle Jamieson in the second over of the innings, Salt attempted to assert early dominance. After cracking a boundary off the previous delivery, he looked to loft Jamieson over mid-on in a bid to keep the pressure on. However, the execution didn’t match the ambition.
Shreyas Iyer, stationed at mid-on, back-peddled swiftly and showed tremendous athleticism and awareness to complete a brilliant catch. The dismissal not only gave PBKS a crucial breakthrough but also sent a strong signal to RCB's middle order that the Punjab fielders were switched on for the big night.
Salt’s wicket marked a significant moment early in the contest, momentarily halting RCB's momentum as they looked to set a formidable total under the floodlights of the world's largest cricket stadium.
With this early success, Kyle Jamieson and PBKS drew first blood in what promises to be a pulsating finale, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru are taking on Punjab Kings in the finals at Narendra Modi Stadium
The stage is set for a historic showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3 at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams are vying for their maiden IPL title, adding an extra layer of anticipation to this high-stakes encounter.
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB finished second in the league stage with 9 wins, 4 losses, and one no-result, amassing 19 points. They secured their spot in the final by defeating PBKS in Qualifier 1, marking their first final appearance since 2016.
PBKS topped the league stage with an identical record to RCB but had a superior net run rate. After a setback against RCB in Qualifier 1, they bounced back by overcoming Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, thanks to a stellar unbeaten 87 by captain Shreyas Iyer.