In a thrilling IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are battling Punjab Kings (PBKS) with Virat Kohli anchoring the innings. At the latest update, RCB stand at 111/3 after 13 overs, with Kohli unbeaten on 41 off 32 balls and Liam Livingstone on 14 off 9. The match has seen its share of drama, with PBKS bowlers striking early to keep the pressure on.
Match Overview
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, banking on the evening conditions and a disciplined bowling attack to challenge RCB’s formidable batting lineup. The decision paid off early as Kyle Jamieson and Yuzvendra Chahal made crucial breakthroughs, leaving RCB at 97/3 after 11 overs. Rajat Patidar, RCB’s captain, fell for a quickfire 26 off 16 balls, trapped lbw by Jamieson, who has been the standout bowler with 2 wickets so far. Earlier, Phil Salt (16 off 9) and Mayank Agarwal (24 off 18) provided a brisk start but couldn’t capitalize, falling to Jamieson and Chahal respectively.
Kohli’s Composed Knock
Virat Kohli, the cornerstone of RCB’s batting, has been a picture of calm amidst the fall of wickets. With 41 runs off 32 balls, including a couple of boundaries, he’s playing the anchor role while keeping the scoreboard ticking. His ability to rotate the strike and pick gaps has kept RCB in the hunt, though the run rate has slowed in the middle overs, with two boundary-less overs before the strategic timeout. Fans are hopeful Kohli can shift gears and guide RCB to a competitive total on a pitch that favors stroke play but demands precision due to the large boundaries.
Livingstone’s Spark
Liam Livingstone, joining Kohli at the crease, has injected some momentum with a massive six off Chahal, smashing a pitched-up delivery over long-off. His 14 off 9 balls signals intent, and RCB will look to him to provide the firepower in the latter stages. The duo’s partnership is crucial as RCB aim for a total above 190, which could be defendable given the bowling strength of Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma.
PBKS Bowling Tightens Grip
PBKS have bowled with discipline, with Jamieson (2 wickets) and Chahal (1 wicket) leading the charge. Their strategy to mix up lengths and use the large boundaries has restricted RCB’s scoring, with 18 dot balls in the first 10 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak have also been economical, keeping the pressure on RCB’s middle order. The field placements, especially for Kohli’s cover drives, have been spot-on, forcing him to work hard for his runs.
Pitch and Conditions
The Ahmedabad pitch, with a consistent grass covering and good bounce, has favored batsmen but offers something for bowlers who vary their lengths. The large boundaries (61m and 67m square, 73m straight) have made boundaries hard-earned. Evening conditions are warm and muggy, with temperatures around 29°C, but the threat of rain has eased, with only a 5% chance during the match.
What’s Next?
With 7 overs remaining, RCB will need Kohli and Livingstone to accelerate to post a challenging total. PBKS, buoyed by their Qualifier 2 win led by Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87, will aim to keep taking wickets to restrict RCB. The match is poised for a thrilling finish as both teams vie for their maiden IPL title.
Key Stats
- Virat Kohli: 41* (32 balls), nearing his 9th half-century of IPL 2025.
- Liam Livingstone: 14* (9 balls), including a six.
- Kyle Jamieson: 2 wickets, proving his worth on the big stage.
- RCB’s current run rate: ~8.5 runs per over.
Stay tuned for more updates as this epic IPL 2025 final unfolds!
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