This one’s bound to excite the loyal fans of Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who’ve been waiting patiently for their teams to finally lift that elusive IPL trophy. Former India cricketer and World Cup winner Robin Uthappa has shared a gut feeling that might just stoke their hopes—he believes the IPL 2025 final will be contested between PBKS and RCB, two franchises that have never won the championship.

The playoffs lineup this season includes two powerhouses—Mumbai Indians, with five IPL titles, and Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions in their debut season. But it’s PBKS and RCB who’ve shown the kind of hunger and form that has caught Uthappa’s eye.

Punjab Kings, in particular, have turned things around remarkably. After a complete squad overhaul last year, retaining just two players, they made a bold move by acquiring former KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer for a record ₹26.75 crore. That decision is now paying rich dividends. Under Iyer’s leadership, Punjab have entered the playoffs for the first time since 2014, when they ended as runners-up.

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“Punjab started the season strong, lost a bit of momentum midway, but have bounced back at the right time. That’s crucial heading into the knockouts,” Robin Uthappa said on JioCinema. “They may miss a couple of players due to national duty, but their batting core is strong, and there’s depth in the squad. Arshdeep Singh hasn’t fired yet, which oddly is a positive—they’ll need him to peak now.”

Iyer’s impact has been profound, both tactically and psychologically. His captaincy has drawn praise from all quarters, including PBKS batter Shashank Singh, who recently said that playing under Shreyas has been a career-defining experience.

Robin Uthappa echoed those sentiments: “Shreyas was undervalued at KKR despite his success. At Punjab, he’s proven what belief and clarity can do, leading a team that’s never had much playoff history straight into the top two.” Turning to RCB, Uthappa was optimistic, especially given Virat Kohli’s purple patch with the bat. “When Kohli bats through the innings, especially during a chase, it puts enormous pressure on the opposition. RCB’s bowling unit has also picked up form at the right time,” he noted.

He emphasised the importance of experienced bowlers like Josh Hazlewood returning, adding depth and confidence.

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“Yash Dayal has shown promise in the death overs. Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been steady, and if Suyash Sharma can rediscover his rhythm, RCB will be a tough side to crack.”

In a tournament known for its unpredictability, Robin Uthappa’s prediction offers a romantic subplot—a potential final featuring two title-less teams, one of whom will finally break the jinx. Whether his “strong feeling” proves prophetic or not, one thing’s certain: this IPL season is building toward a dramatic climax.