The time is here. One of the Triple OG franchises will be crowned champions for the very first time. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with a massive fanbase, are eager to finish their “Ee Sala Cup Namde” chants. Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) are ready to make themselves an elite franchise under the duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting. Before the massive IPL 2205 final kicks off, we’ll look at the top five superstars to watch out for in the summit clash.
5. Josh Inglis (PBKS)
Josh Inglis has been one of the most underrated players for PBKS this season. The decision to make him the number three has done wonders. Being an all-out attacker, Inglis has been an X-factor for PBKS. In fact, the mighty Australian has been on a roll recently.
In his last five innings, Inglis has mustered 177 runs (the second-most for PBKS) at an outstanding strike rate of 184.37, which is the most by any Punjab batter in this period. His high-impact innings (73 (42) and 38 (21)) both came against the Mumbai Indians (MI). While the first confirmed a berth in Qualifier 1, the other a spot in the final. In Qualifier 2, Inglis did something that no batter has done in IPL 2025 – smash Jasprit Bumrah with utter disdain. Against RCB, he will look to continue his impactful form.
4. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)
Ever since the IPL has resumed after an eight-day suspension, Arshdeep Singh has been a letdown for PBKS. He started the season with a bang and was indeed a go-to bowler for Shreyas Iyer. However, his bowling average, which was an incredible 18.18 in the first 10 innings, has shot up to an awful 93.50.
Hence, his rhythm and form will be something to watch out for in the crunch final. He has a solid matchup against Phil Salt (4 wickets in 38 balls) in T20s, something that PBKS can bank on. Otherwise, Arshdeep’s form has slumped, going wicketless in 4 of his last 5 games. His record vs RCB (8 wickets in 10) and at the venue (3 wickets in 4) is concerning as well.
3. Josh Hazlewood (RCB)
Josh Hazlewood is perhaps the most crucial player for RCB, with 21 wickets already. He needs a five-wicket haul to take the Purple Cap from Prasidh Krishna, something which looks unlikely, but won’t be surprised if it happens.
Hazlewood has a strong record against PBKS, taking 6 wickets in just three games this season, and has dismissed Josh Inglis and Shreyas Iyer twice each. Notably, he has a phenomenal T20 record against Iyer, conceding just 11 runs in 22 balls and taking 4 wickets. Hazlewood has averaged a jaw-dropping 15.81, which is the best for anyone in the league. His exceptional bowling SR of 11.43 is also just bonkers.
2. Virat Kohli (RCB)
Here comes the man who will have all the attention come the final. Virat Kohli’s elusive IPL cabinet can be filled, and tonight’s the time. He remains the greatest player to have never won an IPL trophy. But the narrative was set, with this being the 18th season.
With 614 runs so far, Kohli has once again dominated the batting charts. His average (55.82) this season is the third-best among players with at least 200 runs after Suryakumar Yadav and Jos Buttler. Not to mention, Kohli has hit as many as eight fifties this season, a record for the most in any IPL season. All the RCB fans and even Rajat Patidar want this man to finally lift the elusive IPL title!
1. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)
Shreyas Iyer is just a win away from creating history. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) leader is just a triumph away from scripting his name among the elite captains who have lifted the IPL crown multiple times. Unlike Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir, Iyer will be the first-ever to do it with two different teams, a feat that many captains can only dream about.
But for that, PBKS needs to outshine RCB. To outshine RCB, the Kings would want their ‘Sarpanch’. Iyer has taken his white-ball game to a whole new level this season. He has mustered 603 (his most) at an average of 54.82 (his most) and at an outstanding SR of 175.80 (his best). Even Yograj Singh has backed Iyer to lead PBKS to their first-ever title!
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