The IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is a highly anticipated event. A viral image of T20 great Chris Gayle has heightened the excitement surrounding the cash-rich tournament.

The former West Indies batsman, who played for both clubs during his IPL career, was photographed wearing an RCB jersey and a traditional Punjabi turban, symbolically demonstrating his support for both teams ahead of the grand finale on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Chris Gayle is widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters in T20 history, having scored 4965 runs in his IPL career

. He is still an iconic character in the league and a fan favourite. He also won the Orange Cap twice in a row, in IPL 2011 (608 runs) and 2012 (733 runs).

PBKS topped the IPL 2025 points table with 19 points and will face RCB, who finished second with the same total but a slightly lower net run rate. The Rajat Patidar-led team dominated the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur, with to superb bowling performances from Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma. They won comfortably with 60 balls to spare, advancing to the final for the first time in nine years.

PBKS rebounded strongly in Qualifier 2, facing five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1. Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a match-winning innings of 87* off 41 balls, propelling his team to the IPL 2025 final after 11 years.

After 18 seasons, one of these two franchises will win their first IPL championship, marking a watershed moment in the tournament’s history.