Kohli To Smash Arshdeep: Player Battles To Watch Out In RCB Vs PBKS IPL Final



Virat Kohli vs Arshdeep Singh (Source: @IPL/X.com)Virat Kohli vs Arshdeep Singh (Source: @IPL/X.com)

We've got everything to play for in the elusive Final of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, to be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This high-stake, edge of the seat thriller will be played on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 7:30 PM IST.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are here after defeating Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, whereas the Punjab side, after losing to RCB, went on to defeat the powerful Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to seal their spot for the grand finale.

So, before this all-important game, let's have a look at some player battles that could shape up this high-profile, magnificent encounter.

1. Mayank Agarwal vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Criterion
Data
Innings9
Runs72
Wickets6
Balls45
Average12.00
Strike Rate160.00
  • The battle between RCB's stylish, experienced batter, Mayank Agarwal, and Punjab Kings' legendary leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, is being dominated by the Punjab bowler.
  • In nine innings where Chahal has bowled against Agarwal, he has managed to dismiss the right-hander six times, whereas Mayank has managed to score 72 runs off 45 balls against the spinner.
  • This makes for an average of 12, whereas the strike rate is a decent 160, which clearly means that Agarwal tries to go after Chahal and often scores runs against him, but, in the process, loses his wicket.
  • It also shows that Chahal, despite going for runs, always comes back stronger, which is a crucial element in T20 cricket, as he frequently flights the deliveries inviting the batters to go for the big hits. Therefore, it is highly expected that Punjab would hand the ball to Yuzvendra Chahal whenever Agarwal strides onto the crease.

2. Virat Kohli vs Arshdeep Singh

Criterion
Data
Innings10
Runs100
Wickets2
Balls57
Average50.00
Strike Rate175.43
  • In 10 innings against Arshdeep Singh, Virat Kohli has smashed him for 100 runs, having faced 57 deliveries from the left-arm seamer. Kohli, however, has been dismissed only twice, and has managed to keep a strong hold over the Punjab pacer.
  • Averaging 50 with a strike rate of 175.43 reflects Kohli's ability to dominate the left-arm pacer, as he has often done against him. Kohli is a gun powerplay batter who has been in terrific form this season in IPL 2025, going after bowlers, whereas Arshdeep has been quite successful in the same phase in the past.
  • Therefore, this battle will be one to watch out for, where Virat Kohli is again expected to dominate over Arshdeep.

3. Shreyas Iyer vs Josh Hazlewood

Criterion
Data
Innings6
Runs11
Wickets4
Balls22
Average2.75
Strike Rate50.00
  • Going by the stats, Shreyas Iyer is Josh Hazlewood's "bunny" in the IPL, as the data suggests. In six innings Iyer has played against Hazlewood, the Australian pacer has dismissed him on four occasions, as the right-handed batter has only been able to manage 11 runs off 22 deliveries, averaging a poor 2.75 with a strike rate of a mere 50.
  • Shreyas has had some trouble facing the right-arm pacer as Hazlewood's edge over Shreyas would be something RCB would be looking at closely, considering Iyer has been a star performer in this edition of the league, as he did a wonderful job in Qualifier-2. Hence, Hazlewood's role becomes even more crucial.
  • Whenever Iyer walks onto the crease, RCB should be quick to hand over the ball to Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to pick the wicket of Punjab skipper.

4. Shreyas Iyer vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Criterion
Data
Innings11
Runs45
Wickets3
Balls50
Average15.00
Strike Rate90.00
  • Another bowler who has troubled Iyer is RCB's Indian pacer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with his experience and versatility. In 11 innings, Bhuvi has bowled 50 deliveries against Iyer, who has only managed to yield 45 runs against him while being dismissed twice.
  • An average of 15 and a strike rate of 90 further tells the story that Shreyas did not have a good time batting against Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi is a powerplay specialist, especially with the new ball, as he can swing the ball both ways, whereas Iyer bats second down and would be coming onto the crease at a crucial junction in the game.
  • That is when Bhuvi can be brought back into the attack to ensure Iyer struggles against two of the bowlers he doesn't have a good record against.

5. Josh Inglis vs Josh Hazlewood

Criterion
Data
Innings2
Runs3
Wickets2
Balls6
Average1.50
Strike Rate50.00
  • Another battle in this competition that is completely one-sided is between the two 'Josh' of Australia, that is, Josh Inglis of PBKS and Josh Hazlewood of RCB, where the pacer has a complete edge over the batter.
  • On this, with only 6 deliveries being bowled by Hazlewood to Inglis, he has only managed to get 3 runs off him, but has been dismissed twice, which tells that Inglis also struggles against his namesake. He only averages 1.5, whereas the strike rate is down at 50.
  • Josh Inglis has been in brilliant form this season, helping Punjab Kings with some quick runs, whereas Hazlewood has been terrific with his accuracy. Hence, the battle between the two will be one to watch out for, as this contest will likely shape the outcome of this high-profile encounter.