Could One of These Players Be the Hero of the IPL 2025 Final?

IPL 2025 has been filled with a rollercoaster of emotions for the fans, and it all comes down to two teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, in the finals. We have seen new heroes shining for their teams in the IPL finals over the last 17 seasons, but the question remains which player could prove to be the best in the IPL 2025 final. There have been various heroes in the finals, such as Ben Cutting in 2016, Starc in 2024, Jadeja in 2023, and many more.

These are all the players who have performed brilliantly for their respective teams in the IPL finals. Among all of them, Krunal Pandya is the only player from RCB who holds the POTM award in the IPL finals. But who is the main contender to get this award, along with the prestigious IPL title for their IPL team this season? Here’s a look at key players who could contend for the Player of the Match award in the IPL 2025 final between RCB and PBKS.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has always been known as the player for the big games, having clutched in various situations for the Indian team in the playoffs, including his half-century in the T20 World Cup final. But he is yet to do so for RCB in the IPL, and the next game could be an opportunity for the number 18 to get his first IPL title in the 18th season.

Along with that, Virat Kohli has maintained his form this season, scoring 614 runs in 14 matches with 8 half-centuries. However, it should also be noted that Virat Kohli has never won any POTM awards in the IPL finals, but he could also be able to break that jinx in the match against PBKS. Kohli has also scored 1116 runs against PBKS in the IPL, averaging 36, with 6 half-centuries and one century. Also, Virat has scored fifties in both of his last T20 World Cup and IPL finals played.

Arshdeep Singh

Making his debut a few years ago to quickly becoming the leading wicket taker for India in the T20I formats, Arshdeep Singh can also strike through RCB batters to win the POTM in the finals. We have already seen him troubling batters like Phil Salt previously, and this could help him to get early breakthroughs. With the match being played at Ahmedabad, he will also get an early swing, which could trouble RCB.

A similar performance was put down by Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 final, as the left-arm pacer rattled down early wickets for KKR, helping them to win their 2nd title. If Arshdeep is able to take down at least two wickets in the powerplay, it will surely be a game-changer for Punjab Kings to help them end the trophy drought. Most of the RCB batters don’t hold a good record against Arshdeep, except Virat Kohli.

Rajat Patidar

The new captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar, will find the final match as the best opportunity to regain his form and also help RCB fans to say Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Starting the season well, Patidar’s form has seen a slump, but he was in fine touch in the Qualifier 1 game against the Punjab Kings.

Not to forget, Rajat Patidar holds the highest score by any RCB player in the playoffs, when he scored a remarkable century in the IPL 2022 season’s Eliminator match against Lucknow SuperGiants. It would be a thriller for the RCB fans if RaPa plays a similar innings in the final clash and becomes the first captain of RCB to lift the IPL title.

Shreyas Iyer

Captain playing an important knock for his team in the playoffs has been seen by the IPL enthusiasts lately, as Shreyas Iyer, also known as Sarpanch Saab, took PBKS to the finals after 11 years. In the Qualifier 2 game against Mumbai Indians, where Punjab almost stood on the brink of losing, Iyer played a captain’s knock and helped them win the match with his iconic 87.

He has already won the IPL title in the previous season for Kolkata Knight Riders, and if he wins this time, it will also make Iyer the first captain to win consecutive titles for two different franchises. Along with that, becoming the Player of the Match in the finals would be adding to his records, as no player has ever received consecutive POTM awards in the IPL playoffs.

Josh Hazlewood

The phrase “Never Put an Aussie Under Pressure” comes out to be true for Josh Hazlewood, who has been the best bowler for RCB this season. With 21 wickets in 11 matches only, Hazlewood has been the major player in RCB’s bowling line-up, holding impressive records against most of the Punjab batsmen. Even in Qualifier 1, he took 3 wickets, dismissing Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer, and Azmatullah Omarzai.

The battle between Hazlewood and in-form Punjab batsmen will be a must-watch, with the Aussie pacer having high chances to dominate. Along with that, there is another interesting fact, as Josh Hazlewood has never lost any final match in which he played. He is expected to feature in the playing XI against PBKS tomorrow to help RCB clinch its first IPL title, as he has been known for taking important wickets in important matches.

Marcus Stoinis

RCB is not the only team having an Aussie in their line-up, as Punjab Kings will be bringing the all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. He has been a crucial part of the team’s middle order, holding a strike rate of 183.33 this season in 12 matches. Even in the Qualifier 1 against RCB, where the other batters struggled, Stoinis was the top scorer with 26.

Marcus Stoinis will be playing an important role for Punjab Kings, with both bat and ball in the final match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He could also turn the game with the bowl, delivering in the important matches. It will be thrilling to see whether Marcus Stoinis will be bashing boundaries in the death overs or will RCB bowlers be able to stop him.

Now, which of these players do you think is likely to win the Player of the Match award in the IPL 2025 final?