The IPL 2025 final is expected to be high-octane cricket as RCB and PBKS need to grab their maiden title. The match promises to have some individual battles determining the fate of the match. Here are some most exciting player matchups, along with head-to-head stats and seasonal performances presented in tabulated form for ease of understanding.
1. Virat Kohli (RCB) vs Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)
Virat Kohli, the backbone of RCB’s batting order takes on PBKS pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh, a match-up that has already provided a few fireworks this season. Kohli’s sublime batting form combined with Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs made this inevitable clash in the Powerplay even more critical.
| Stats | Virat Kohli vs Arshdeep Singh (IPL) |
| Innings Faced | 10 |
| Runs Scored | 100 |
| Balls Faced | 57 |
| Strike Rate | 175.43 |
| Times Dismissed | 2 |
| 2025 Season Runs (Kohli) | 614 (Avg 55.81, SR 146.53) |
| 2025 Season Wickets (Arshdeep) | 18 |
Kohli has dominated Arshdeep historically, but Arshdeep’s two dismissals of Kohli show he can strike early.
2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) vs Josh Hazlewood (RCB)
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, in the form of his life, faces RCB’s ace pacer Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood’s exceptional record against Iyer—dismissing him four times in six IPL innings—makes this a battle to watch in the middle overs.
| Stats | Shreyas Iyer vs Josh Hazlewood (IPL) |
| Innings Faced | 6 |
| Runs Scored | 11 |
| Balls Faced | 22 |
| Strike Rate | 50.00 |
| Times Dismissed | 4 |
| 2025 Season Runs (Iyer) | 603 (Avg 54.81, SR 177.80) |
| 2025 Season Wickets (Hazlewood) | 21 (Avg 15.80) |
Hazlewood’s dominance over Iyer could be crucial if Iyer walks in during a tense chase or rebuild.
3. Rajat Patidar (RCB) vs Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)
Rajat Patidar is good against spin and will be facing Yuzvendra Chahal, PBKS’ premier spinner. Chahal’s value as an off spinner is breaking partnerships during the middle overs; this will be fascinating because of Patidar’s aggression against spin.
| Stats | Rajat Patidar vs Yuzvendra Chahal (IPL) |
| Innings Faced | – |
| Runs Scored | 40 |
| Balls Faced | 27 |
| Strike Rate | 148.1 |
| Times Dismissed | 2 |
| 2025 Season Runs (Patidar) | 286 |
| 2025 Season Wickets (Chahal) | 15 |
Patidar’s strike rate against Chahal is impressive, but Chahal has dismissed him twice, making this a high-risk, high-reward duel.
4. Jitesh Sharma (RCB) vs Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)
Chahal’s trickery could stop Jitesh Sharma’s aggressive middle order hitting. Chahal has a good record vs Sharma – and could be key for PBKS if they want to go to an acceleration phase.
| Stats | Jitesh Sharma vs Yuzvendra Chahal (T20) |
| Innings Faced | 7 |
| Runs Scored | 41 |
| Balls Faced | 35 |
| Strike Rate | 117.14 |
| Times Dismissed | 3 |
| 2025 Season Runs (Jitesh) | 237 |
| 2025 Season Wickets (Chahal) | 15 |
Chahal’s knack for dismissing Sharma could stall PBKS’s momentum in the middle overs.
5. Marcus Stoinis (PBKS) vs Josh Hazlewood (RCB)
Two Australians face off in a contest of power versus precision. Stoinis’s finishing ability is matched by Hazlewood’s consistency at the death.
| Stats | Marcus Stoinis vs Josh Hazlewood (T20) |
| Innings Faced | 5 |
| Runs Scored | 21 |
| Balls Faced | 16 |
| Strike Rate | 131.2 |
| Times Dismissed | 1 |
| 2025 Season Runs (Stoinis) | 154 |
| 2025 Season Wickets (Hazlewood) | 21 |
Stoinis’s high strike rate could test Hazlewood’s discipline, especially in the slog overs.
Conclusion
These battles are set to define the IPL 2025 final, with each contest offering a unique tactical challenge. Kohli’s aggression against Arshdeep’s swing, Iyer’s composure versus Hazlewood’s discipline, and the spin duels involving Chahal could all prove decisive. The outcome will likely hinge on which team’s stars win these crucial mini-battles under pressure.
Written By Smita Singh
