IPL 2025 Final, RCB vs PBKS – Tactical preview

Can Punjab top order hold fort against RCB seamers' hard length?

Punjab's top order, consisting of three leading run-getters and Josh Inglis, has been their foundation for success. However, they have struggled against RCB, who have reduced them to 53/4, 76/4, and 38/4 in their three games. RCB's seamers have been particularly effective, picking 13 wickets at 22.53 with a wicket every 17.3 balls of hard length, the best among seam attacks in Powerplay across the season.

Shreyas Iyer and the RCB jinx

Shreyas Iyer has an exceptional record in IPL games in Ahmedabad, scoring 242 runs in three innings without getting dismissed at a strike rate of 226.17. However, he has struggled against RCB, scoring 7, 6, and 2 in their three games. RCB's bowling attack, particularly Josh Hazlewood, has been a challenge for Iyer, dismissing him four times in 22 balls.

Suyash Sharma vs Punjab's middle order

Suyash Sharma has been effective against Punjab, picking five wickets in their last two games. He has bowled flatter, faster, and attacked the stumps, resulting in all five dismissals being bowled or LBW. Punjab can counter this with Nehal Wadhera, who has hit 25 off 16 balls faced from the leggie.

A crucial new ball spell for Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep has dismissed Phil Salt four times in six innings in T20s this year, each of those coming off balls pitched short and angled across the right-hander. Salt has been susceptible to left-arm seam early on in his innings, averaging just 15.33. However, Arshdeep has not hit the straps post the resumption, going wicketless in four of the five games and going at 10.39/over.

Attack Punjab's fifth bowler combination

Punjab has set their strategy based on attacking batsmanship, and a non-negotiable in such a lineup is sufficient batting depth. With Marco Jansen unavailable, Punjab has had to make up the fifth bowler's quota from their batting all-rounders. In 42 overs between Punjab's seam bowling all-rounders outside of Jansen, they have managed just eight wickets – three of those in Qualifier 2 – but have conceded at 11.53/over.

Vyshak as third seamer or Brar against right-heavy RCB lineup?

The one selection headache for Punjab going to the final will be to choose between Vyshak Vijaykumar as the specialist third seamer or to go with Harpreet Brar, who has been something of a scourge for RCB in the past, especially with their lineup loaded with right-handers.