The final of IPL2025 is finally here, with Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru renewing hostilities in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, 3pm UK time.
RCB look set to start as marginal favourites, having won two of the three meetings between the sides this season, including the recent Qualifier when Punjab were bundled out for only 101.
However, this is a different ground and different pitch, one which has leant itself to big runs and aggressive batting all year, something that is right up Punjab’s street.
There was absolutely nothing between the two teams in the regular season, nine wins and four losses each from 14 matches, with Punjab just topping the table by virtue of a marginally superior net-run-rate.
For my money, Punjab boast the stronger batting line-up, certainly in good batting conditions.
Their opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have been electric all season, both scoring at a real lick and setting the game up for a powerful engine room. That engine room features Australian Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera, both impressive in Sunday’s win over Mumbai Indians and striking at 161.48 and 150.63 respectively this term.
Hazlewood has been outstanding this season, despite carrying the odd niggle, and 21 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 15.80 is just reward for his efforts. His strike-rate currently stands at 11.4 and Hazlewood claimed 3-21 against Punjab in the Qualifier.
However, I strongly suspect the surface served up on this ground, in a final no less, will be vastly different to that one, and though Hazlewood won’t be easy to combat regardless of conditions, I suspect batters on either side will fancy their chances on this occasion.
In the last five matches played in Ahmedabad, there have been eight scores of 200-plus in 10 innings, with three of those matches seeing both teams score 200 runs. 230 has been breached twice.
As such, I’m happy to advise BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE 200+ RUNS IN THE MATCH at 10/3.
Preview published at 1205 BST on 02/06/25
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