Punjab Kings are all that stand in the way of Virat Kohli finally lifting the elusive IPL trophy, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru gear up for a historic showdown on Tuesday at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With a seating capacity of 1,32,000, the world’s largest cricket stadium will witness the crowning of a first-time champion, as neither Punjab nor Bengaluru has clinched the IPL title since the tournament’s inception in 2008.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the final with a psychological advantage, having comprehensively defeated Punjab Kings by eight wickets in the first playoff match last week. This marks the fourth time Kohli and his side have reached the IPL final. However, heartbreak has defined their previous three appearances, as they have never managed to cross the finish line.

For Kohli, the stakes are personal as well as professional. The 36-year-old batting maestro, who recently bid farewell to Test cricket alongside Rohit Sharma, has once again shouldered the batting burden for his franchise. With 614 runs in 14 innings, including eight half-centuries, Kohli has showcased vintage form throughout the 2025 season. His determination to win the IPL is no secret, with the legendary cricketer openly expressing his desire to cap his storied career with the league’s most coveted title.