Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer, the two captains who met in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, will once again be leading teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Punjab Kings. IPL is assured of a new champion as one of these teams will finally break their trophy drought that has gone on for 18 years since the start of the league.
RCB had beaten PBKS handsomely in the first qualifier but they would not take the Shreyas Iyer-led side lightly especially after they chased down 204 against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at the same venue where the final will be played.
On the eve of the final, both the captains looked calm and confident in pre-match conference. Here is what Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar ahead of the IPL 2025 title clash.
Rajat Patidar
On expectations of winning trophy
Expectations come naturally, especially when you're leading a team like RCB in a final, but I always focus on what바카라™s in my control and try to stay in the present.
On captaincy debut
This captaincy journey has been a great learning experience for me, being around some of the best leaders and foreign players in the game has really shaped my approach. I바카라™ve focused on creating a relaxed and secure environment, where both domestic and international players feel confident.
On Virat Kohli
We바카라™re not thinking too much about the stage; we바카라™re here to play our best cricket. Virat has contributed so much over the years, winning would mean a lot, especially for him and the fans.
On Shreyas Iyer
Facing Shreyas again in a final is a nice coincidence, but the challenge is new, and we바카라™re prepared for it.
Shreyas Iyer, PBKS Captain
On his role
I think the role of a captain is that you have to get the best out of your players in terms of performance. And when we got a start in this tournament, we gained momentum right from the beginning. After that, every individual kept stepping up.
On PBKS youngsters
We have so many youngsters in our team; they바카라™ve been dictating terms from ball one, and they바카라™ve done it throughout the season. This is the reason we바카라™ve reached the final.
On not celebrating win vs MI
I felt like my job was half done. It바카라™s not even finished. We have a match tomorrow. I approached it with that mindset. The job is half done, and I have to come back tomorrow. I have to play the match again. I was thinking that recovery is important.
On fighting spirit
When you are on the field, it is all about rivalry. It is not about comfort at all. When you step onto the field, you are at war and you fight to win. So, I will put in everything and I will give in everything to see to it that my team wins.
On batting approach
I personally feel that I love to play the situation as much as possible and not get too far ahead of the game. If I바카라™m chasing, I look at the required run rate and how the wicket is playing, and which bowlers are going to come. Based on that, I plan my tactics, and I also make sure I take the game to the end. So all these plans have to be precise and have to work on the given day.
