Nine years. That’s how long it took for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to reach yet another IPL final. They had made the playoffs consistently but would lose in the Eliminator and fall short. In fact, the one time they won the Eliminator, they lost in Qualifier 2. But finally, they have broken the cycle.
A team that dreams together, plays together, and performs together
The difference between any past RCB side and this year’s, unlike what the naysayers keep suggesting, is not just Josh Hazlewood or Virat Kohli or any one player. It has been a team effort. Every single player, at some point, has raised their hand and said: “My team needs me, and I will do it.” RCB have won 10 matches so far out of the 15 they’ve played, 14 league games and 1 qualifier, and they’ve had as many as eight different Player of the Match winners.
Here’s the list:
•vs KKR – Krunal Pandya
•vs CSK – Rajat Patidar
•vs MI – Rajat Patidar
•vs RR – Phil Salt
•vs PBKS – Virat Kohli
•vs RR – Josh Hazlewood
•vs DC – Krunal Pandya
•vs CSK – Romario Shepherd
•vs LSG – Jitesh Sharma
•vs PBKS – Suyash Sharma
Cricket is a team game. You play as a team, and you rise to the top and that’s what has happened to RCB this year.
Hazlewood magic
Josh Hazlewood has been consistent, economical, and lethal. He’s taken crucial wickets and kept RCB in the game at all times. Barring one over where KL Rahul took him on, IPL 2025 has been near perfect for him so far. Hazlewood has picked up 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.81, an economy of 8.30, and a strike rate of 11.30. He is currently third in the Purple Cap race, has the second-best average, and the third-best bowling strike rate in IPL 2025. Crucially, Hazlewood has picked up wickets in all three phases of an innings.
•In the powerplay – 20 overs, 9 wickets, 7.20 economy (2nd highest wicket-taker in the powerplay this season)
•In the middle overs – 9.1 overs, 6 wickets, 9.81 economy
•In the death overs – 10.5 overs, 6 wickets, 9.04 economy
Using Indian batters well
RCB’s core batting unit was historically reliant on overseas batters and Virat Kohli. Over the last two years, Rajat Patidar earned his place in that core, but the dependence on foreign players remained a weakness especially when overseas batters struggled against spin in Indian conditions. RCB would often fall behind the run rate in the middle overs, with the game slowing to singles and doubles.
This year, the core has been redefined: it’s Indian. Kohli, Padikkal, Patidar, Jitesh, and Krunal. Indian batters have not only the advantage of knowing the conditions but also familiarity with domestic spinners, bowlers overseas players face for the first time and take time to adapt. RCB’s trust in their Indian batting lineup has paid off handsomely, helping them clinch several closely fought contests.
The King has been on fire
You love him, you hate him, but you cannot ignore him. Kohli’s critics have long argued that his presence has held RCB back from winning the elusive IPL trophy. Can Kohli ever silence the doubters? Perhaps not. A man who has brought the franchise countless victories, carried the weight of its immense fanbase, and won matches single-handedly for the country can only let his bat speak.
Also Read: Jitesh Sharma: The Unsung Hero Turning Red into Gold for RCB
And speak it has. Yet another IPL season, yet another 600+ run tally. In 14 innings, Kohli has scored 614 runs at an average of 55.41 and a strike rate of 146.53. He has taken flak over the years for his strike rate, with critics branding his runs as stat-padding. But Kohli has stuck to what he knows best and done it with consistency and success.
•In the powerplay – 305 runs in 14 innings, average 101.66, strike rate 158.85 (4th highest in powerplay runs this season)
•In the middle overs – 287 runs in 11 innings, average 41.00, strike rate 135.37
In both the phases he is the highest run getter for RCB. He is the highest run getter for RCB in IPL 2025, the second-highest is Phil Salt with 387 runs and then Rajat Patidar with 286 runs, making it clear how much he has contributed to the team’s success.
With one more game to go, can RCB keep up the momentum and finally lift that elusive IPL trophy—after a wait of 18 years?