West Indies cricket legend Chris Gayle landed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to witness the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday. The final clash saw RCB and PBKS vying for their first-ever IPL title.
RCB had previously made it to the final three times—in 2009, 2011, and 2016—but fell short on each occasion. PBKS, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, had only one prior final appearance in 2014, where they were defeated by the Kolkata Knight Riders. Gayle shares a special connection with both franchises, having played for RCB from 2011 to 2017.
During his stint, he scored 3,163 runs in 85 matches, averaging 43.33 and striking at an impressive rate of 152. Watch the video of Chris Gayle’s arrival in Ahmedabad here:
#WATCH | Former West Indies Cricketer Chris Gayle arrives in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to watch the #IPLFinal that will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at Narendra Modi Stadium today. pic.twitter.com/KJ4Wtj9XQ5
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025
He scored five centuries and 19 half-centuries in his career, with a top score of 175* (not out). During his stint with Punjab Kings (PBKS) from 2018 to 2021, he amassed 1,339 runs in 41 matches and innings, maintaining an average of 36.19 and a strike rate above 130. He recorded one century and 10 fifties for PBKS, with his highest being an unbeaten 104.
RCB Storm Into Final As Kohli Shines With 614 Runs In Dominant Season
RCB became the first team to reach the final, finishing second in the league with 19 points and defeating PBKS by eight wickets in Qualifier 1. Virat Kohli led with 614 runs at an average of 55.82 and a strike rate of 146.53, hitting eight fifties.
Among the bowlers, Josh Hazlewood led the attack for RCB, taking 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.80 and an economy rate of 8.30. Punjab Kings finished the league stage in first place, also with 19 points from 14 games, but edged out RCB due to a better net run rate.
Despite losing to RCB in Qualifier 1, PBKS secured a place in the final by defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. Captain Shreyas Iyer led with 603 runs, including a key unbeaten 87 off 41 balls in the Eliminator. Arshdeep Singh was their top bowler, taking 18 wickets in 16 matches.
In head-to-head contests, RCB and PBKS have faced each other 36 times, with both teams winning 18 matches. This season, they clashed three times—PBKS won the first encounter, while RCB emerged victorious in both the second match and Qualifier 1.
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