Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face off in a bid to win their first ever title in the IPL 2025 Final on Tuesday. RCB stormed into the final with a demolition of PBKS in Qualifier 1. Punjab had to take the harder route, achieving a record chase vs Mumbai to reach their first final since 2014.
IPL 2025 Final: RCB train hard, PBKS focus on recovery in Ahmedabad
RCB won their Qualifier 1 on Friday and headed straight to Ahmedabad in preparation for the final. After resting on Saturday, the Rajat Patidar led side engaged in a training session on Sunday afternoon, before the PBKS vs MI Qualifier 2. The entire squad practiced at the B ground from 12 to 3 PM, with the likes of Virat Kohli and others present.
On Monday, they shifted to the main venue in the evening. Kohli hit the nets ahead of the crucial game, facing throwdowns. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Romario Shepherd and Yash Dayal were also in action. Captain Patidar and deputy Jitesh Sharma were engaged in conversations with coach Andy Flower. While rain interrupted the game on Sunday, there was no such delay, allowing Patidar and Co to train uninterrupted.
And while RCB trained hard, Punjab Kings opted to focus on rest and recovery. Shreyas Iyer and Co played late into the night in Qualifier 2, with the game finishing at nearly 2:00 AM on Monday. With just over 36 overs of gap between the game and the IPL 2025 Final, Punjab shifted their plan to rejuvenate.
“After the win over Mumbai, I felt like my job was only half done. The job is not yet finished. We have a match on Tuesday, and I have to come back to play tomorrow. So, I was thinking that recovery is important, and how to prepare myself,” Shreyas said in a press conference on Monday.
While RCB have the advantage of being able to train, Shreyas and Co have match experience. They are match-ready and have momentum with them after their record win over the Mumbai Indians.
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