RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Final Predicted Playing XI: Two match-winners doubtful due to injuries, Patidar may take brave call by including this overseas player

It is not a battle of underdogs anymore. The two teams who have dominated at the league stage and now stand against each other for the coveted trophy. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hold the edge with two wins out of three against Punjab Kings (PBKS), the batting-friendly venue of the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad makes Shreyas Iyer's men dangerous. Whatever the result, a new champion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be crowned on June 3 night. Over a lakh spectacators at the stadium on a Tuesday night and millions of fans worldwide will witness either Virat Kohli's 18-year-old wait come to an end or Iyer proving that he is among the best captains in the history of the league. 

Ahead of the clash, RCB have injury concerns and a few chinks in the armour. They are sweating over fitness of destructive batter Tim David. If David is fit, he will walk into the side in place of Liam Livingstone. If David isn't fit, it will be up to captain Rajat Patidar whether he wants to continue backing Livingstone or give his temporary replacement Tim Seifert a go. Seifert is capable of doing the damage like PBKS' Josh Inglis, especially considering the conditions in Ahmedabad.

RCB predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone/Tim Seifert/Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Meanwhile, PBKS are concerned around their star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's fitness. After missing three matches, Chahal made a comeback in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians (MI), taking the crucial wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. After the match, assistant coach James Hopes revealed that Chahal is not 100 per cent fit. If Chahal doesn't play, PBKS will be inclined to play left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar ahead of Praveen Dubey. Iyer is unlikely to make any other changes to the lineup. 

PBKS predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar/Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

RCB vs PBKS pitch report -

Narendra Modi Stadium has been a high-scoring ground. It is expected to stay that way. Rain interruptions may have an impact on the game. There is a reserve day for the final as well. Even though it is a high-pressure final, setting a target of 200 may not be enough. 

RCB vs PBKS Full Squads:

RCB Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Blessing Muzarabani, Nuwan Thushara, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh

PBKS Squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash