Punjab Kings' Kyle Jamieson, 2025. Photo: SHAMMI MEHRA / AFP
Black Caps bowler Kyle Jamieson got the wicket of Virat Kohli the last time they met, can he do it again in the IPL final?
Jamieson has become a key figure in Punjab Kings' run to the Indian Premier League final.
The Kings will play Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Tuesday's final in Ahmedabad with both teams chasing their first titles.
Jamieson was plagued with back injuries in recent years, but returned to international duty last summer and took career-best T20I figures of three wickets for eight runs in a nine wicket win over Pakistan in Christchurch in March.
He was picked up by Quetta Gladiators to play in the Pakistan Super League, but only played a couple of games before the PSL and the IPL were paused because of the unrest between Pakistan and India.
The 30-year-old was one of a number of New Zealanders who headed home from Pakistan, but instead of returning to the Gladiators, he took up a short term deal in India as an injury replacement for fellow Kiwi Lockie Ferguson at Punjab Kings.
He didn't play Punjab's first two games after the break but played the last three, including Monday's qualifier which got them into the grand final.
In that match he took one for 30 from his four overs in a five wicket win over the Mumbai Indians.
He is now the last New Zealander standing in the IPL.
Punjab have made the final for the first time since 2014, they're still chasing their first title, just like Royal Challengers Bangaluru.
Royal Challengers have been beaten in three finals, the last in 2016.
Their star batsman Virat Kohli has held most trophies, but not the IPL.
He's been with the franchise since the inaugural tournament in 2008.
Bengaluru won all seven away games in the group stage this year and beat Punjab in the first qualifier last week.
Jamieson did get the wicket of Kohli in that game.
Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title last year, has led from the front and is Punjab's top scorer this season.
He produced a captain's knock of 78 not out to help Punjab chase down a tricky target set by powerhouse Mumbai in the qualifier.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has produced the highest scores in group play in the league this season and the batsmen are expected to put pressure on the bowlers once again.
There is the possibility of some rain before the final, but there is a reserve day.
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