“The Bengaluru team has had four days off” - Indian legend’s massive remark ahead of RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 final

Former Indian opening batter Sunil Gavaskar believes the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be fresher compared to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3. Gavaskar opined that the Punjab Kings might not have had ample time to recover due to Qualifier 2 finishing late.

With the Royal Challengers sealing their place in the final on May 29 by defeating the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, they have had enough time to recover. In contrast, PBKS learned about their fate only in Qualifier 2, which concluded in the early hours of June 2 when they beat the Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets in a challenging run-chase.

When asked how much RCB would benefit from a prolonged period of rest, Gavaskar said it would play a massive role and that even an evening game may not provide Punjab with a lot of respite. Speaking to India Today, the 75-year-old said:

"It certainly does help. And for the Punjab Kings, I think also the fact that they just get a day's break before the final and the match also finished so late against Mumbai Indians - that doesn't give too much time for the body to recover. Yes, I know it's a late evening game, it's a 7:30 start, but the body does certainly need a lot of rest after the exertions of the previous day."

He added:

"Punjab have, like I said, just 24 hours or so to recover, which is not really enough after the efforts they put in to beat Mumbai Indians. The Bengaluru team has had four days off, so they will certainly be mentally and physically far more refreshed than the Punjab team when they enter the frame."

RCB have beaten the Punjab Kings twice this year in three matches.

"I don't think they'll be daunted by the fact that they haven't played here" - Sunil Gavaskar on RCB ahead of IPL 2025 final

Sunil Gavaskar. (Image Credits: Getty)

When asked whether the Royal Challengers not getting a game in Ahmedabad in IPL 2025 will be a factor, Gavaskar said their brilliant performances should hold them in good stead, regardless of other factors. In the same interview, the cricketer-turned-commentator said:

"Not so much of an advantage. Like I said, I think it's the fact that RCB are coming into the final with a string of absolutely brilliant performances with both bat and ball. So I don't think they'll be daunted by the fact that they haven't played here."

With RCB and PBKS yet to lift the IPL trophy, tonight's final will see a new champion.