Trophy Drought, Fan Dreams, and One Shot at Glory: PBKS and RCB Set for IPL 2025 qualifier Showdown

Ahmedabad | May 27, 2025 —
When Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) walk onto the Narendra Modi Stadium turf for the first qualifier of IPL 2025, they’ll carry more than their bats, balls, and hopes—they’ll carry the weight of unfulfilled legacies and the dreams of millions who’ve waited for redemption for over a decade.

With both franchises yet to etch their name onto the coveted IPL trophy, Tuesday night’s encounter promises not just a place in the final, but a chance to rewrite history—and silence years of "what-ifs."

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Two Titans Without a Crown

RCB, a side stacked with legends over the years—from Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble to AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli—have made three finals (2009, 2011, 2016) but finished second each time. The "Ee Sala Cup Namde" chant has become both a slogan of hope and a reminder of heartbreak.

PBKS, meanwhile, made the final once in 2014 and a few close playoff runs, but have otherwise remained perennially underwhelming despite marquee signings and passionate local support. Now, under the aggressive leadership of Sam Curran and the finesse of Shikhar Dhawan, they’ve looked like a side reborn.

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Journey to the Qualifier: Split Decisions and Redemption Arcs

The league stage saw both teams finish with 18 points, but PBKS clinched second place on net run rate, showcasing their newfound consistency and strategic maturity.

Interestingly, the teams split their league meetings—each side winning at the other’s home ground. At Mohali, RCB pulled off a six-run thriller, while in Bengaluru, PBKS stunned the home crowd with a 9-wicket mauling, led by a flamboyant 84 from Liam Livingstone*.

RCB, powered by the ever-reliable Virat Kohli, the explosive Faf du Plessis, and the wily Mohammed Siraj, have built momentum at the right time, winning 5 of their last 6 games. PBKS, however, boast one of the tournament’s best bowling units, with Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada delivering clutch spells under pressure.

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Matchup to Watch: Kohli vs Arshdeep

The duel between Virat Kohli and Arshdeep Singh could shape the narrative. Kohli, playing perhaps his most fluid IPL since 2016, has amassed over 670 runs, while Arshdeep has been Punjab’s death-overs specialist, mixing yorkers with deceptive slower balls.

In two previous head-to-heads this season, Kohli was dismissed once by Arshdeep and scored at a strike rate below 120—signs that this battle could be a defining subplot in the qualifier.

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Fan Frenzy and Emotional Undercurrents

In a season where traditional giants like CSK and MI bowed out early, fans have latched onto the underdog energy of PBKS and the passionate resurgence of RCB.

Social media has erupted in support of both sides. Hashtags like #KohliCup2025, #PunjabKaTime, and #NoMoreHeartbreaks trended across X and Instagram, signaling that for fans, this match is more than just a playoff—it’s emotional closure.

“If not now, then when?” tweeted former PBKS captain Yuvraj Singh. “Time for Punjab to bring it home.”

“The cup doesn’t owe anyone—but if it did, it owes RCB,” quipped AB de Villiers in a live Q&A session on Monday.

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The Bigger Picture: IPL’s Growing Equilibrium

That a PBKS vs RCB clash is now marquee playoff material speaks to the growing parity in the IPL. Franchises once written off as entertainers without substance are now tactically sharp, analytically driven, and emotionally mature.

Both sides have found balance in youth and experience—RCB leveraging the emerging brilliance of Rajat Patidar and PBKS nurturing talents like Prabhsimran Singh and Harpreet Brar.

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Weather, Pitch, and Toss Factor

The Ahmedabad pitch, known for true bounce and even carry, is expected to favour stroke-making. Dew could be a factor, making the toss a key decision point. In the past five matches at this venue, teams chasing have won four times.

RCB’s success chasing in their last three wins may push them to field first, but PBKS’s attacking bowling arsenal gives them confidence defending as well.

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Conclusion: For Glory, For History

Whether it’s Virat Kohli finally lifting a trophy, or Punjab breaking a 17-year jinx, Tuesday’s match could produce a turning point—not just in IPL 2025, but in the very identity of two franchises long defined by what they’ve never won.

One team will walk into the final, a step away from immortality. The other will be left to wonder, once again, if the wait must go on.