The Indian Premier League 2025 has reached a thrilling climax, with just three teams remaining in contention for the title. The four franchises that qualified for the playoffs were Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Mumbai Indians (MI), all of whom demonstrated consistent performances throughout the league stage, although Gujarat faced elimination eventually. As the competition intensifies, the focus is now firmly on the last two matches that will decide the new champions of IPL 2025.
RCB storm into IPL 2025 final; MI knock out GT to keep hopes alive
In the first playoff encounter, Qualifier 1 held at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur on May 29, RCB delivered a commanding performance against Punjab Kings to win by eight wickets and secure their place in the IPL 2025 final. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, showcased their all-around strength with a disciplined bowling effort followed by a composed and clinical batting display that allowed them to chase down the target with ease.
On the other hand, in the Eliminator played on May 30 at the same venue, Mumbai held their nerve and defeated Gujarat by 20 runs in a match that swung back and forth. MI’s disciplined bowling attack ensured GT never gained full control of the chase, ultimately knocking them out of the tournament and booking MI’s place in Qualifier 2. Now, PBKS and MI will face off in Qualifier 2, scheduled for Sunday, June 1, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the winner will earn the right to face RCB in the title clash.
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David Warner reveals his IPL 2025 winner and final’s player of the match
Australian opener David Warner, a former IPL champion with Sunrisers Hyderabad, has expressed strong support for RCB to go all the way this season. Warner, who famously led SRH to the title in 2016 by defeating RCB in the final at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, shared his prediction on social media when a fan asked him to name his pick for the IPL 2025 winner.
In his response, Warner said, ‘I think RCB and Josh Hazlewood man of the match,’ signaling his confidence in the current form of the Bengaluru-based franchise. Hazlewood, RCB’s frontline pacer, has played a crucial role this season, picking up 21 wickets in 11 matches so far. He is currently third in the Purple Cap race and has been pivotal with the new ball and at the death.
I think RCB and Josh hazelwood man of the match https://t.co/JUdTxak0hm
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) May 31, 2025
Warner believes that if Hazlewood produces a five-wicket performance in the final, not only could he steer RCB to their maiden title, but also claim the Purple Cap by surpassing GT’s Prasidh Krishna, who sits ahead of him in the standings. Hazlewood’s accuracy, discipline, and big-match experience make him a potential game-changer in the most important match of the tournament.
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