India, June 3 -- When Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar walk out for the toss in Ahmedabad, it won't be the first time they've gone head-to-head in a high-pressure final. The captain duo in the IPL 2025 summit clash between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is a sequel to a riveting showdown from domestic cricket's biggest T20 night last year, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 Final.

That clash, held at RCB's own M Chinnaswamy Stadium, had plenty of subplots. Iyer, leading Mumbai, was in full control. Patidar, captaining Madhya Pradesh, produced a valiant effort with the bat; a blistering, unbeaten 81 off just 40 balls, after MP's top and middle order fumbled. His knock, laced with six boundaries and two sixes, rescued MP to a res...