The IPL 2025 Final won’t be the first occasion where Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar lead their teams in a T20 final.
Shreyas Iyer vs Rajat Patidar: A Clash of Captains in High-Stakes T20 Finals
When Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar step out for the toss in the IPL 2025 final between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it revives memories of their intense battle in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 final. That memorable match, held at RCB’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw Patidar lead Madhya Pradesh with a fearless unbeaten 81 off 40 balls. His innings, featuring six boundaries and two sixes, came after MP’s top and middle order struggled, helping them reach a competitive total of 174/8.
However, Mumbai’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Tushar Deshpande, Royston Dias, Atharva Ankolekar, and the young all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, applied relentless pressure throughout the innings. Their disciplined bowling slowed the scoring and triggered crucial wickets at key moments.
In response, Mumbai’s experienced batting lineup rose to the occasion. Suryakumar Yadav played a stylish 48 off 35 balls, while Ajinkya Rahane anchored the innings with a composed 37. Though Iyer contributed only 16 runs, the match belonged to Suryansh Shedge, whose explosive unbeaten 36 off just 15 balls sealed a comfortable victory for Mumbai by 5 wickets in 17.5 overs. Shedge’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award, marking a memorable night for Mumbai and setting the stage for a thrilling IPL final showdown.
Stakes high in IPL Final
The IPL final brings an even bigger stage and higher stakes for Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar. This time, it’s a title-starved Punjab Kings against the formidable Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with millions watching across the nation. Their previous high-pressure encounter favored Iyer, but recent results suggest the script could change.
RCB’s last IPL final appearance was in 2016, when they suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are playing their first final since 2014, when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. With such rich history and contrasting recent performances, this final promises high drama, fierce competition, and a chance for one of these captains to lead their team to coveted IPL glory.
