What happened when Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer went up against each other in a T20 tournament final? This uncapped player made the difference

What happened when Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer went up against each other in a T20 tournament final? This uncapped player made the difference
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's captain Rajat Patidar (L) and his Punjab Kings' counterpart Shreyas Iyer pose for a photograph before the start of the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 in Chandigarh on May 29, 2025.

Story Highlights:

Rajat Patidar scored an unbeaten half-century in SMAT final.

Suryansh Shedge finished the run chase with a cameo.

Mumbai beat Madhya Pradesh at RCB's homeground.

On the big stage of IPL 2025 final, Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Rajat Patidar's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). While Iyer has played two IPL finals including a title win with KKR, Patidar is playing his first as a player and captain. However, this is not the first time Iyer and Patidar are going up against each other in a T20 tournament final as captains. On December 15, 2024, Patidar's Madhya Pradesh and Iyer's Mumbai clashed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25.

Patidar's stormy knock in Chinnaswamy

Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first. Madhya Pradesh's top four failed to fire. Shardul Thakur got rid of both openers whereas Shivam Dube dismissed a set Subhranshu Senapati. It was Patidar who walked out to bat at no.5. While Venkatesh Iyer departed for a nine-ball 17 cameo, Patidar smashed six fours and as many sixes in his 40-ball 81 at RCB's homeground M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. His unbeaten half-century helped Madhya Pradesh post a total of 174/8.

ALSO READ: West Indies announce T20I squad for England and Ireland series, IPL's six-hitting machine opts out and Holder, Russell make comeback

Mumbai in trouble before slog overs

Chasing 175, Prithvi Shaw departed early. Shreyas hit two fours and a six before falling in the powerplay overs. Rahane tried to play the anchor role but lost his wicket to Venkatesh for a 30-ball 37. Dube did not fire and returned for a single-digit score. Mumbai found themselves in trouble when Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed by spinner Shivam Shukla for a 35-ball 48 in the 15th over. 

ALSO READ: 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

Young Shedge finishes it off

PBKS' current recruit Suryansh Shedge turned out to be the difference. He joined forces with Atharva Ankolekar to take Mumbai over the line in the 18th over. Shedge contributed with an unbeaten 15-ball 36 featuring three sixes and as many fours. On the other end, Ankolekar scored 16 runs off six balls. Shreyas' Mumbai won by five wickets with 13 balls to spare as Patidar's unbeaten 81 went in vain. 

However, Shedge is unlikely to play in IPL 2025 final. In three innings, the 22-year-old has managed to score just seven runs.