Kohli goes over and gives a hug to AB de Villiers who is at the ground. Tim David was watching on from the background and it would be such a disappointment for him to miss this occasion because of injury.
Here are the Impact substitutes for both the teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Suyash Sharma.
Patidar: We were also going to bowl. Pitch looks hard, will try to put a good score and put them under pressure.
Iyer: We're going to bowl.
Punjab Kings have won the toss and have opted to field
Patidar flips the coin, Iyer calls tails and wins the toss.
Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar have posed with the trophy and are now set for the toss.. Is Tim David fit and ready to go for RCB? Let's find out...
6.50pm local: The players are warming up in the middle and the toss isn't far away...
Players to look out for in the final:
Virat Kohli loves the big occasions. 2009, 2011, 2016 - He has been on the receiving end and he would be really keen to correct that. With an average of 55.82 at a strike rate of 146.54, the legend will be keen to make an impact not only with the bat, but also in the field where you expect him to give it his all whilst fielding.
Just over a year ago in Chennai, Shreyas Iyer helped KKR lift their third title. He isn't someone who would display too many emotions, but the fact that he has captained three different franchises into the IPL final over the last five years should skyrocket his confidence levels and of course with over 600 runs at a strike rate of 175.80, he will be keen to become the only skipper to have won IPL with 2 different franchises.
How good is Hazlegod? Remember, he has never lost a final of a big event in his career. He is averaging 15.81 with the ball this season - the best among the top 15. Having missed out a few games due to injury, Hazlewood's spell of 3/21 (wickets of Iyer, Inglis and Omarzai) in Qualifier one is a firm testament to not only his ability, but also the threat he poses at the start of an innings. Punjab Kings will be wary of his heroics last week and would do really well to not give any wickets to the Australian giant.
Pitch report | Murali Kartik and Michael Clarke: Square boundaries are 64 metres on either side. 72m down the ground. Looks like a belter of a wicket. It looks great, consistent and will be really flat. Don't think 200 is enough on this wicket. Back of length and using those square boundaries will be key. This is a 25 percent black soil and 75 percent red soil surface. Six of the 8 games here have been won by team batting first here.
Binayak: I want to see Shreyas on the winning side, too many ups and downs in his career, not much talked about but has shown immense talent by leading from the front.
Roach: Hats off to Shreyas Iyer and the Punjab team! With 5-6 young, uncapped players in the squad, they have made it all the way to the IPL final. This proves one thing beyond doubt, winning the IPL cup requires pure talent, not the star or popular players.
6.20pm local: The closing ceremony is currently underway in Ahmedabad. The weather looks clear, no immediate threat of rain.
Suraj Sajeev: As a true and loyal RCB fan I have been waiting from 18 years now. Hopefully this is the year. Cannot take another heartbreak for sure.
Key stat highlights: - RCB pacers have bossed the back of a length in powerplay this season, taking 13 wickets at an average of 22.53 - the best in the comp. - Bhuvi and Hazlewood have the wood over Shreyas Iyer, dismissing him 7 times in 72 balls in all T20s. - For more such insights, check out the piece above.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Punjab Kings
