RCB earned their spot in the final with a remarkable seven-wicket victory over PBKS in Qualifier 1. In Qualifier 2, PBKS faced off against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at this venue on Sunday, where captain Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten knock of 87 propelled the team to an easy victory.
Both PBKS and RCB finished the league stage with 19 points each, securing the top two positions on the points table. Neither team has previously claimed an IPL title, guaranteeing a new champion for the first time since 2013, when the Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched their first title.
The two sides have met three times in the competition so far, with RCB winning the last two encounters convincingly.
Predicted Playing XIs
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact Player: Prabhsimran Singh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.
Impact Player: Mayank Agarawal.
Key Players to Watch Out
Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)
Iyer displayed calm confidence in his approach during the run chase on Sunday, expertly guiding his team to victory. This season, he has accumulated 603 runs in 16 matches, averaging 54.82 with a strike rate of 175.80. Iyer has also achieved six half-centuries, hitting 43 fours and 39 sixes, showcasing his ability to score heavily in both middle and death overs.
Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Kohli has enjoyed a successful campaign at the top of the order, scoring 614 runs in 14 games at an average of 55.82. He has maintained a strike rate of 146.83, with eight half-centuries, along with 63 fours and 19 sixes. He aims to establish a solid foundation for the innings while facing challenges from Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson.
Pitch Report
Statistically, the average first-innings score in T20 matches at this stadium is 160, indicating a balanced contest between bat and ball. However, several teams have surpassed the 200-run mark this season, including in Qualifier 2. The shorter square boundaries facilitate easier run-scoring, setting the stage for a batting bonanza on Tuesday.
Weather Report
The weather in Ahmedabad is expected to be partly cloudy during the match, with temperatures around 31°C, humidity at 60%, a wind speed of 19 km/hr, and a precipitation chance of 15%.
Where to Watch
The match will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and simultaneously broadcast on the Star Sports Network at the specified time.
