hreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar embody two distinct leadership approaches—one thrives on fiery aggression, while the other exudes quiet composure. Yet both have proven to be remarkably effective in leading their respective teams to the IPL 18 final. The much-anticipated showdown between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore promises to be a fitting climax to the season.

Ahead of the grand finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Iyer was his usual vocal self, ramping up the intensity with words like 'battle,' 'war,' and 'taking charge.' On the other hand, Patidar kept a cool and calm demeanor, choosing his words carefully—preferring to underplay the occasion rather than fuel the fire.

"I believe the game is about rivalry," Iyer, fresh from a stunning performance in the semifinals, declared passionately. "When you step onto the field, it’s a battlefield. You go in with everything to win."

Patidar, ever so composed, responded more softly, "Punjab have been playing excellent cricket this season. They are a formidable side, and we know it will be a tough challenge ahead."

While the verbal fireworks—or the lack thereof—set the tone, the previous meeting between the two teams was an easy victory for RCB, who comfortably beat PBKS by eight wickets to advance to the final. Punjab, however, secured their spot after a thrilling win over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, bringing momentum to the final.

Punjab's lineup often includes as many as six uncapped players in key roles, a testament to the inspiring leadership of Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. The performance of these young players, including Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, and Harpreet Brar, against RCB's seasoned stars—Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Josh Hazlewood—could be the deciding factor in the final.

For RCB, the narrative is inextricably linked to Kohli, who is still searching for his first IPL title after 18 years. This could be his best chance to lift the elusive trophy, though those close to him say that while he is highly motivated, he is not desperate. Kohli’s legacy as RCB's talisman and one of the league’s biggest stars makes his desire for an IPL title clear, especially after the heartbreak of losing in the 2016 final.

Will Kohli's long wait finally end, or will PBKS seize the moment? Either way, this year’s IPL final guarantees a new champion.

Match Details:
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Pitch Report: The final will take place on the centre wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium, offering a balanced pitch with equal dimensions. The soil mixture should provide a good contest between bat and ball, as seen in the high-scoring GT vs PBKS match earlier this season.

Head-to-Head: The record between the two teams is neck-and-neck, with each having won 18 matches against the other. However, RCB has had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning five of the last six encounters since 2023. PBKS has one win against RCB at this venue.

Team Insights:
Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Injury/Availability: Tim David's availability is uncertain, but the rest of the squad is fit for the match.

Key Match-ups: Virat Kohli’s excellent form against PBKS in recent games (average of 62.5 in his last eight outings) is something to watch. Josh Hazlewood, with 12 wickets in five playoff games, will play a key role in RCB’s bowling attack.

Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Punjab Kings:

Injury/Availability: Yuzvendra Chahal is a doubtful starter, but Harpreet Brar is a capable replacement. All other players are fit and available.

Key Match-ups: Punjab’s young openers, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, have struggled in their last few games, but they’ll be looking to deliver when it matters most. Shreyas Iyer’s impressive form at this venue (two unbeaten innings of 97* and 87*) makes him a key player for PBKS.

Probable XI: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar/Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Did You Know?
Arshdeep’s Form: After a strong start, Arshdeep’s form has dipped, with no wickets in four of his last five games. His performance against RCB, where he has eight wickets from 10 games, will be key.

Patidar's Inconsistency: Rajat Patidar started the season strongly but has struggled since, scoring just 125 runs in his last nine innings after an explosive start with 161 runs in the first four matches.

Iyer vs Hazlewood: Shreyas Iyer has struggled against Josh Hazlewood, managing just 11 runs off 22 balls in their head-to-head duels.

This is just the second time in IPL history that both finalists have yet to win a title, the previous instance being in 2016 when RCB faced SRH.

What They Said:
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS Captain):
"We know RCB has been exceptional with the ball. But we are ready for the challenge. It's all about adapting quickly and making sure we step up when it counts."

Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain):
"My goal has always been to foster a supportive environment for every player, whether they come from domestic or international cricket. The atmosphere has to be the same for everyone."