After 18 seasons, countless heartbreaks, and near misses, the IPL 2025 Final is finally here — and for both Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), it’s more than just a match. It’s a shot at redemption, legacy, and history. Both teams are entering the final without a single IPL trophy in their cabinet. RCB have suffered the agony of three finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016. PBKS too came close in 2014 but faltered at the final hurdle. Tonight at 7:30 PM, under the floodlights of Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, one of these long-suffering teams will finally lift the cup.
Narendra Modi stadium: Where bowlers come to suffer
If there's one constant this season at Ahmedabad, it's runs and lots of them. Out of the 8 matches played here this season, 7 saw first-innings scores of over 200, and in 4 of those, the score crossed 220. This venue has become a dreamland for batters and a nightmare for bowlers. Take the recent Qualifier 2 for instance: Mumbai Indians posted 203 runs a strong total by any standard. But Punjab Kings chased it down in just 19 overs, underlining the sheer brutality batters can unleash on this surface.
What makes this pitch a run-fest?
The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium is hard, dry, and flat a combination that lets batsmen play through the line with freedom. Early on, pacers might get a hint of swing, but the movement disappears quickly, turning the surface into a boundary-hitter’s paradise.
