IPL 2025 Final: RCB Skipper Patidar Says Winning for Kohli Would Be Special

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar is hell-bent on ending the 18-year drought for an IPL crown of the franchise.

Ahead of their IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Tuesday, Patidar spoke of the importance of the moment—most importantly for RCB legend Virat Kohli and the franchise's die-hard fan following.

"Virat has given so much throughout the years and winning would mean a great deal, particularly to him and the fans," Patidar told the pre-final press conference.

Kohli, who has played for RCB since the launch of the league in 2008 and captained the team from 2013 to 2021, has been part of all three of the franchise's prior final appearances—2009, 2011, and 2016—each having ended in tragedy.

RCB go into the title final in high spirits, having thrashed Punjab Kings by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur, which earned them a direct berth into the final.

But PBKS struck back strongly in Qualifier 2, thrashing Mumbai Indians at the same ground due to a match-winning performance by skipper Shreyas Iyer, who blasted an unbeaten 87 to keep Punjab's maiden IPL title dream alive.

Patidar, in his first season as RCB skipper, stated that his strategy has been one of simplicity and remaining present at the moment.

"Expectations are natural, particularly when you're captain of a side like RCB in a final, but I always think about what I can control and try to remain present," he explained. "This captaincy experience has been learning at its best for me—being around some of the greatest leaders and overseas players has set my mindset. I've attempted to build a relaxed, safe setting for all to play with freedom."

Interestingly, Patidar and Iyer had faced off in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, where Iyer’s Mumbai got the better of Patidar’s Madhya Pradesh by five wickets. The RCB skipper acknowledged the familiar rivalry but noted that the stage and stakes are now very different.

“Facing Shreyas again in a final is a nice coincidence, but the challenge is new, and we’re prepared for it,” he concluded.

The IPL 2025 final will be hosted at the Narendra Modi International Stadium in Ahmedabad where both captains will seek to write a historic finale—Patidar to win RCB's maiden title and Iyer to bring PBKS their much-awaited first crown.