Punjab Kings stand in the way of Virat Kohli's dream of finally winning the Indian Premier League in Tuesday's final at the world's biggest cricket stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
No matter which team prevails at the 132,000-capacity venue in Ahmedabad it will be a first -- neither Punjab nor Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the IPL since it launched in 2008.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab booked their place in the decider with a five-wicket victory over five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shreyas Iyer played a captain's knock with an unbeaten 87.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli and Bengaluru will have a psychological edge after thrashing Punjab by eight wickets at the start of the playoffs last week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It is the fourth time that Kohli and his team have reached the final of cricket's richest tournament, but they have never been able to take that last step.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The vast majority in attendance will be cheering on Kohli, the 36-year-old superstar batsman and icon to Indian cricket fans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli, who last month retired from Test cricket alongside Rohit Sharma, has again been Bengaluru's go-to batsman with 614 runs, including eight half-centuries, in 14 innings this season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He has made no attempt to hide his desperation to win the IPL at the 18th attempt and add it to a long list of accolades that includes two World Cup crowns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He has talked about his "heartbreak" of failing to win the IPL, and celebrated last week's win against Punjab saying: "One more to go."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab's fast bowling coach James Hopes said Monday his team will be "recovering and getting mentally prepared" for what he anticipates will be a "pretty big crowd, and a pretty big pro-Kohli crowd as well".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Sensational Iyer -<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As well as Kohli, Bengaluru boast the significant threat of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 34-year-old returned following a shoulder injury and a stint back home to put in a man-of-the-match performance in the win over Punjab in the qualifier.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He returned figures of 3-21 to help bundle Punjab out for 101.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hazlewood spearheads a seam-bowling attack alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-armer Yash Dayal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab, coached by Australia great Ricky Ponting, recovered from defeat to win the rain-delayed second qualifier in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Iyer, who cost $3.17 million in November's auction, is narrowly behind Kohli in the batting charts with 603 runs from 16 innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His latest chase masterclass off 41 balls, laced with five fours and eight sixes, is a reminder that he is lethal on his day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I love such big occasions," Iyer said after the win over Mumbai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I always say to myself and my colleagues that the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, and you'll get the best results."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former Australia medium-pace bowler Hopes said that Iyer "doesn't get flustered very easily".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He knows what he has to do and he's prepared to take that risk," said Hopes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He is a sensational captain and a sensational player," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh are in good form, and they have another potential match-winner in Australia's Josh Inglis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n