When Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar walk out for the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the IPL 2025 Final, it won’t be the first time these two have faced off in a high-stakes T20 showdown. Their captaincy rivalry dates back to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 Final, where they led Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, respectively, in a thriller that showcased their leadership qualities under pressure.
Mumbai beat Madhya Pradesh for SMAT Title
That memorable night at M Chinnaswamy Stadium home turf for Patidar’s current IPL franchise, RCB saw Mumbai emerge victorious, but not without a fight. Batting first after early setbacks, Madhya Pradesh were staring at trouble until Rajat Patidar played a sensational innings. He hammered an unbeaten 81 off just 40 deliveries, steering his side to 174/8 with a counter-attacking knock that included six fours and two sixes.
Despite Patidar’s heroics, Mumbai's disciplined bowling unit, led by Tushar Deshpande, Royston Dias, Atharva Ankolekar, and the rising all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, kept things tight enough to prevent a larger total. Their efforts ensured that the game remained in Mumbai’s grasp.
During the chase, Mumbai’s seasoned top order delivered when it mattered most. Suryakumar Yadav scored 48 off 35 balls, while Ajinkya Rahane added a composed 37. Although Iyer managed only 16 from nine balls, the star of the finish was once again Shedge, whose unbeaten 36 from just 15 balls guided Mumbai to a clinical win.
RCB and PBKS recent form in IPL 2025
In Qualifier 1, RCB convincingly defeated Punjab Kings by eight wickets, dismissing them for just 101 and chasing it down with ease. But Punjab bounced back with a spirited performance in Qualifier 2, defeating Mumbai Indians to earn a shot at redemption and a shot at history.
For Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it marks a return to the final after nearly a decade, their last appearance being the heartbreaking loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. For Iyer’s Punjab Kings, this is their first shot at the title since 2014, when they fell short against Kolkata Knight Riders.
