Could 2025 be the year that’s meant to change RCB’s destiny and bring them their first-ever IPL title?
18 long years of the Indian Premier League (IPL) operating as the most followed and popular cricket tournament in global sporting leagues. Since its inception in 2008, different teams over the course of years have laid their hands on the prized trophy and crowned themselves as the ultimate champions. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, both have done it on multiple occasions as the five-time joint record holders.
Kolkata Knight Riders have held the coveted title for three years too, followed by other franchises. If there’s a team that has not tasted this victory it’s the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have qualified into the playoffs earlier too, but had to lose despite coming close to the finish line.
This year though, with IPL 2025, their hopes and aspirations look different and unlike any of the previous seasons. It’s almost as if they have had a resurgence of emotions, energy, determination and hunger to go all out and battle till their last breath to claim the championship record.
With a return to IPL final after a 9 year-long hiatus, they have broken the jinx surrounding them. They had made it to the playoffs consistently but would lose in the Eliminator and fall short. In fact, on one occasion they won the Eliminator, but lost in Qualifier 2. While each franchise aspires to be the ultimate winner and work towards it, some teams just seem more deserving and desperate than others.
A team that dreams together, plays together, and performs together!
The difference between any past RCB side and this year’s is not in any one particular player, but the cumulative team effort. Every single player, at some point, raised their hand and took charge to make them cross the finish line during the league stage matches and then subsequently in the Qualifier 1 too. Interestingly, Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team in IPL history where 11 different players managed to score a half-century in each of the league matches.
The team’s supremacy became more rampant as eight different players won the ‘Player of the Match’ awards, rightly justifying that cricket is a team game. You play as a team, and rise to the top, which is what has been amplified by the RCB men this year.
1. Batting Unit Redefined – Over-dependence on overseas players remained a weakness for many seasons, but this year more Indian batters were added to the core in the likes of Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya and Rajat Patidar, who understand Indian spin conditions better.
2. Virat Kohli’s Terrific Form – You love him, you hate him, but you cannot ignore him. Virat Kohli’s passion and intensity were on full display as he led RCB to IPL 2025 finals once again. He is no longer the skipper of the team but undoubtedly remains the most experienced and emotional core of this energetic team, who’s been driving them forward ever since the new captain Rajat Patidar took the captaincy reigns prior to the commencement of IPL 2025. He is the leading run-getter for RCB in this year’s IPL and seemed to run on something extra, call it a desire, a resolve or a motivation.
The aggression and intensity Virat showed in the field made him look like a wounded lion who had tasted blood. He may no longer wear the captain’s armband, but on the field, he continues to lead. His energy is relentless, his presence impossible to ignore, as became the first player in the world to cross the 9000-run milestone for a single franchise in T20 League cricket, combining IPL and Champions League T20.
3. Feisty Team-Spirit – Though every year the franchise has been playing all their matches as one should, yet experts and analysts would often remark that some or the other element seemed amiss – intent, zest, spirit or the technical prowess. This year however, climbing to second place on the points table silenced the critics completely. It’s almost as if the entire Challengers squad were near-perfect in their execution of plans and did tick all the boxes vehemently. Dinesh Karthik’s coaching and guidance as batting expert along with Andy Flower’s mentorship did produce some match-winning magic, something the RCB side longed for.
Though the finale clash will be no easy feat, as RCB’s opponent will also be at their absolute best and go all out to fight it out, given that all the teams that have reached the playoffs have had a phenomenal ride so far and earned their place quite deservedly.
Road to Finals
With the IPL finals all set to take place on June 3, 2025, at the iconic Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB’s fans are waiting with bated breath to see their team life the trophy and end the drought after 18 long years.
Their motivation towards ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’ may finally be coming true, the victory they have been desperately waiting for. As the most popular franchise amongst the ten teams, Royal Challengers have an unprecedented fan following of ardent cricket lovers, fiercely loyal to their players and state. While the finale clash is not happening at their home venue in Bengaluru, their presence will definitely be in abundance on the D-day, as expected.
The Narendra Modi Stadium is known to favour the batters, and RCB will undoubtedly bank on Virat Kohli to not just guide them home but also to achieve redemption by winning a trophy in front of one hundred thousand spectators. So, tighten your seatbelt, as we might be in for ‘one last dance’ from one of the all-time greats and an absolute legend of the game.
With just one big game to go, can RCB keep the momentum high and finally lift that elusive IPL trophy – after an almost exile-like wait of 18 years? Watch the live action on June 3 at Jio Hotstar to find out!
FAQs on Royal Challengers Bengaluru
1)How many times RCB has entered IPL finals?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has qualified for the IPL finals on four occasions – IPL 2009, 2011, 2016 and IPL 2025.
2)Who is the captain of RCB in IPL 2025?
Rajat Patidar was appointed as the 8th captain of RCB ahead of IPL 2025, as a first-time skipper for this franchise. The other captains have been Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis.
3)Who is the current head coach of RCB?
Andy Flower, a Zimbabwe legend was appointed as the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024.
The post IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru All Set to Win After 18 Years appeared first on Sportzcraazy.
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