As the IPL 2025 Final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) looms on the horizon, the atmosphere in Ahmedabad feels unusually subdued. The Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue with a capacity of 132,000, is gearing up to host this high-stakes clash on Tuesday. However, the expected electric buzz that accompanies an IPL final is conspicuously absent in the city.
Outside the stadium, giant cutouts of the two captains—Shreyas Iyer of PBKS and Rajat Patidar of RCB—stand tall near the gates. Yet, confusion reigns among some fans. At Gate No. 1, a group of supporters, hoping to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli, were visibly puzzled by Patidar’s image. “Who is he?” whispered a fan, only to be curtly corrected by a jersey vendor: “He’s the captain of the team whose jersey you’re buying.” The fan, still unaware of Patidar’s leadership role, muttered, “Wasn’t Kohli the captain?” This exchange highlights the disconnect some fans feel with RCB’s new leadership, a shift from the iconic Kohli, who stepped down as captain after the 2021 season.
For the vendors, the final is more about business than passion. Krupal Shah, a jersey seller, expressed his disappointment over sluggish sales. “There’s no real buzz this time. We couldn’t sell Rohit Sharma jerseys during Qualifier 2, and even Kohli’s jerseys aren’t moving. We don’t care who wins as long as we make sales,” he said, before loudly announcing discounted rates to attract buyers. Similarly, Mohammed Aslam, who sells wristbands, caps, and flags, reminisced about the IPL 2023 Final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. “Despite heavy rain, CSK fans from Chennai were incredible. We sold out everything. This year, there’s no such energy,” Aslam noted with a wry smile.
The lack of excitement isn’t just anecdotal. Attendance figures tell a grim story. During Qualifier 2 between PBKS and Mumbai Indians, a mere 50,000 spectators showed up at the colossal stadium—a far cry from a sell-out crowd. Many hospitality boxes remained vacant, reflecting the tepid interest in the playoffs. The original plan to host playoff matches in Hyderabad and Kolkata was altered due to weather concerns, shifting the action to Ahmedabad. Ironically, rain has followed the tournament, with a heavy downpour before Qualifier 2 and a light spell forecasted for the final. Will the weather gods spare the title clash, or will fans witness another rain-marred encounter?
Inside the stadium, preparations are in full swing despite the muted anticipation. RCB’s training session lasted a focused two hours, while PBKS players opted out, likely fatigued after a rain-interrupted marathon match in the qualifiers. Shreyas Iyer, after a quick photo shoot, left the venue, while Rajat Patidar, in his calm and composed style, addressed the media. Unlike the typical fiery RCB rhetoric, Patidar kept it humble, expressing gratitude to fans and promising to stay unaffected by unrealistic expectations. Iyer, on the other hand, lightheartedly mentioned his lack of sleep ahead of the big day, keeping his tactical plans under wraps.
Beyond the cricket, the closing ceremony promises a spectacle. Renowned musician Shankar Mahadevan, along with his sons Siddharth and Shivam, will perform a special tribute to India’s armed forces. Shivam shared his excitement on Instagram, posting, “See you at the FINAL tomorrow ❤️ What an honour this is!!!” As the pitch was covered and a makeshift stage took shape post-training, one could sense the event’s grandeur, even if the city’s pulse remains low.
Historical context adds intrigue to this encounter. RCB, perennial underachievers despite boasting stars like Kohli and AB de Villiers in the past, have reached the finals thrice (2009, 2011, 2016) but never clinched the trophy. PBKS, formerly Kings XI Punjab, share a similar tale of heartbreak, with their best finish being runners-up in 2014. With both franchises hungry to end their title drought, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will RCB finally reward their passionate fanbase, or will PBKS script history under Iyer’s leadership?
Buzz or no buzz, one thing is certain: a new IPL champion will be crowned on Tuesday. Whether the Narendra Modi Stadium fills up or the rain plays spoilsport, the cricketing world waits with bated breath to see whose long wait for glory will end—Bengaluru’s or Punjab’s. As the final touches are applied and the countdown begins, this title clash promises drama, if not the off-field fervor Ahmedabad had hoped for.