History in the Making? A Regal Recap of Punjab Kings’ IPL Final Sojourns

Image Source: Passionate In Marketing

As the Punjab Kings (PBKS) prepare for the IPL 2025 final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, cricket enthusiasts and analysts are taking a moment to reflect on the franchise’s rich, yet often frustrating, history in the tournament. This season marks just the second time PBKS has made it to the IPL final, a journey filled with near misses and an intense longing for that elusive trophy.

Key Highlights

•⁠ ⁠Historic 2014 Final: PBKS’s first and only previous final appearance was back in 2014, when they dominated the league stage but narrowly fell to the Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets in a nail-biting championship match. Under the leadership of captain George Bailey and coach Sanjay Bangar, the team’s explosive batting and all-round performances captured the hearts of fans, but they ultimately came up just short.

•⁠ ⁠Long Wait for Return: Despite putting together strong squads and featuring some of the league’s most thrilling players, PBKS has struggled to replicate their 2014 success, managing just one playoff appearance in the years since. The franchise’s inconsistency has been fueled by a lack of a stable core and frequent changes in leadership.

•⁠ ⁠2025 Breakthrough: This year, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and the guidance of coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS has exceeded expectations. Their dramatic, record-breaking chase against the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2—where they chased down 203 runs with an over to spare—showcased their resilience and firepower.

•⁠ ⁠Franchise Evolution: From Kings XI Punjab to Punjab Kings, the team has undergone a rebranding and achieved ownership stability, yet the quest for that first title remains unfulfilled.

Outlook

With a dynamic leader in Shreyas Iyer and a squad filled with confidence, the Punjab Kings are ready to make history. Regardless of the outcome, their journey to the 2025 final stands as a testament to perseverance and the hope that this could finally be their year.

Source: Times of India, Business Standard, CricSchedule