Well then, it all comes down to the battle of the reds for the grand finale! Two teams that have never won the IPL trophy since the inception of this tournament now stand face to face. We will have a new title holder in the grandest theatre of cricket as the Punjab Kings take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the summit clash of IPL 2025. Will the Kings take revenge for their defeat against the Royal Challengers in Qualifier 1, or will RCB dominate again? Two of the most consistent sides in this edition are all set to play for glory. The Grand Finale is scheduled to be played on June 3rd, Tuesday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). And it will be the grand Narendra Modi Stadium of Ahmedabad that will play host to the last dance. Make sure you all mark your presence an hour earlier for our buildup. Till then, take care and cheers!

Bruised and wounded after that humbling defeat in Qualifier 1 against RCB, Shreyas Iyer stubbornly mentioned that they lost the battle but not the war, and when it mattered the most for his side, he delivered the knockout punch in this Qualifier 2, with a superb 87-run knock. A team that has waited and waited and waited to even make it to the playoffs since 2014, is now just in touching distance of clinching their maiden title. Mumbai Indians rose from their ashes after a tough start, losing four of their first five matches. They turned things around in spectacular fashion, winning eight of their next eleven games, including this one. Their commanding victory over GT in the Eliminator showcased their resilience, but this time, they couldn’t find a way to pull off another win.

The captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning unbeaten knock of 87 runs from 41 balls. He says he loves such big occasions and often reminds himself and his teammates that the bigger the occasion, the calmer you need to be in order to get the results. Shares that he focused on his breathing tonight to stay composed under pressure. Iyer believes all players need to be assertive and show intent. Further says that he knew that the more time he spent out in the middle, the better it would be for him. Mentions it was important not to dwell on what went wrong in Qualifier 1, as one match does not define them. He encourages the young players to express themselves freely and says he loves their fearless nature and the fresh ideas they bring to the table. States that he was not thinking about where he might go in the auction and just wanted to be in a good environment. He knows the job is only half done and is not thinking about the final just yet. For now, it is about rejuvenating and celebrating this moment.

...THE PRESENTATION...

Punjab Kings' Nehal Wadhera is the next one up for a quick chat. He shares that this innings holds a special place in his heart. He explains that the game plan was straightforward, and having played with Mumbai Indians for a couple of years, he anticipated their attacking approach. Says to counter it, he made subtle adjustments to his batting strategy, ensuring he stayed ahead of their plans. He is feeling glad that it worked out for the team. Shares that he wasn't trying to target any specific bowler, but only tried to convert boundary balls. On Shreyas Iyer's batting, he says that Iyer is a wonderful chase master and he proved himself when it mattered the most. Says he has learnt a lot from him and hopes that they will take the momentum forward and win the final against RCB.

The captain of the Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya, lauds Shreyas Iyer for the way he batted and for taking his chances. He believes it was a par total, but defending it required sharp execution as a bowling unit, something that proves vital in knockout games. He takes the loss on himself, saying he could have managed the troops more effectively. Also praises Punjab for staying calm under pressure.

Earlier in the game, after a delay of two hours and fifteen minutes due to rain, MI started their innings on a scratchy note, after being invited by PBKS to bat first. They lost Rohit Sharma early despite a reprieve. The pitch wasn’t easy, offering movement and uneven bounce, but Tilak and Bairstow countered with a solid fifty-plus stand. The real acceleration came when SKY and Tilak built another strong partnership, swinging momentum MI’s way. However, their quick dismissals within three deliveries helped PBKS regain control. A crucial 37-run cameo from Naman Dhir in the backend pushed MI to 203/6. For PBKS, Omarzai picked up two wickets, while the rest, except Arshdeep Singh, chipped in with one each. 

The turning point? That chaotic 13th over from Topley, where PBKS smashed 19 runs, was immediately followed by Boult conceding 14 more. Jasprit Bumrah, MI’s go-to bowler, had a rough start as he went for 20 in his first, but pulled things back later by conceding 20 in his next three. However, when MI desperately needed breakthroughs, he couldn’t deliver, and to stop the carnage, his overs were exhausted well before searching for wickets. PBKS batters played it smart, refusing to take risks against him and steadily steering the chase home. Also, sloppiness in the field didn't help MI's cause either, as Trent Boult dropped Nehal Wadhera when he was batting on 13, and he went on to score a pivotal 48.

Despite Wadhera and Shashank falling at a critical juncture, Shreyas Iyer stood tall with a captain's knock, staying composed and consistently finding the gaps. His sensational fifty kept Punjab Kings in the hunt as the momentum swung both ways. In the end, it was the PBKS skipper who held his nerve, with a cool head over his shoulders, and guided his team across the finish line with an over to spare.

Josh Inglis looked like a man on a mission, maintaining a strong tempo. Just as PBKS seemed ready to break free, Hardik Pandya struck, dismissing Inglis. His wicket triggered a seismic shift, halting the momentum and pushing PBKS into a tough spot. With the top three gone, skipper Iyer and the middle order had a mountainous task to achieve. It was Nehal Wadhera who initiated the attack in the middle phase, while Shreyas Iyer grew in confidence before launching an assault of his own. The two formed a crucial 84-run stand, which enormously pressurised MI bowlers.

In the pursuit of 204, Punjab Kings started off on a scratchy note by losing Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya inside the powerplay. However, Josh Inglis came out with intent and also took on Bumrah for 20 runs off his first over. Trading equal punches, PBKS posted 64/2 on the board, versus MI's 65/1 at the same stage. 

An inning worth remembering, which Shreyas Iyer and Punjab Kings will cherish for years to come. A captain’s knock for the ages! Shreyas Iyer has now guided three different franchises to the IPL grand finale within just five years. He steered Delhi Capitals to the summit clash in 2020, led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024, and has now taken Punjab Kings to their second-ever IPL final since their inception. On the other hand, absolutely dejected and disappointed, Hardik Pandya and the Mumbai Indians will have to wait for their 6th title for the time being.

Who bowls the 19th? Topley? Ashwani? Or Hardik himself? It will be Ashwani Kumar (3-0-29-2) to bowl the penultimate.