Who will win the IPL 2025 final? Experts share their predictions

Thrice - in 2009, 2011, and 2016 - Royal Challengers Bangalore played the final in the Indian Premier League. They returned as the losing side on all three occasions. Now, they are all set to make their fourth appearance in the final today against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Despite not winning a title, RCB fans have stood up with the team through thick and thin and will once again make their presence felt in huge numbers today at the stadium. 

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, stunned everyone with their remarkable performance on their way to the final. They previously reached the IPL final once against KKR in the 2014 edition. Despite scoring a 199-run total, they lost that game by three wickets. In all fairness, not many expected these two teams to occupy the top two spots at the end of the league stage, let alone finish as the two finalists.

Because of the significance of the number 18, many backed Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the title. However, nothing of that sort was associated with the Punjab Kings prior to the start of the season. Now that the two teams have made it to the final, experts have shared their prediction on who will win the final. 

Former RCB batter Ab de Villiers backed Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the final. 

“The balance looked spot-on right from the auction. The little moments will define this final, and I just hope they go RCB’s way,” AB de Villiers told Star Sports. 

Former SRH captain, David Warner has also supported RCB and predicted that Josh Hazlewood would win earn Man of the Match award.  

“I think RCB will take it, and Hazlewood will be Player of the Match,” Warner said in his Twitter on ‘X’. 

I think RCB and Josh hazelwood man of the match https://t.co/JUdTxak0hm

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) May 31, 2025

Former Indian pacer, Varun Aaron believes Virat Kohli will bring his ‘A’ game and backed RCB to win the title. Former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, though, gave a neutral response when asked about the winner of the blockbuster clash. 

“Both teams are equally good. The team that plays well will win,” Ganguly said as quoted by My Khel.