Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer set the tone for the IPL 2025 Final with a fired-up celebration after taking the catch of RCB opener Phil Salt, giving his side a crucial early breakthrough. The moment came in just the second over of the match, as Salt, who looked dangerous with 16 off 9, miscued a shot and found Iyer at mid-off. The PBKS skipper roared with intensity — a release of emotion on the grandest stage, underscoring the significance of the wicket. Earlier, Iyer won the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium and chose to bowl first, backing his bowlers under lights. “It’s the final and we’re going to play like a final,” he said at the toss, refusing to downplay the occasion. His opposite number Rajat Patidar, leading RCB, echoed calm confidence, saying, “It’s just another game for us,” while confirming an unchanged XI.

Salt’s dismissal handed PBKS the ideal start. With Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal at the crease and a deep batting line-up to follow, RCB still have firepower to post a competitive total. But Iyer’s early energy and the breakthrough could prove pivotal as Punjab look to maintain control in their hunt for a maiden IPL title.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood

Punjab Kings

(Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal