Bhubaneswar: April 25: Is it possible for the Royal Challengers (RCB) to secure the IPL title this year? Is it a significant question for RCB? However, the fans and followers are quite optimistic about achieving this.
With yesterday’s victory over Rajasthan Royals, it has already secured six wins out of nine matches in IPL 2025. They secured their first home victory of the season; three of their five remaining matches are in Bengaluru, indicating favourable prospects. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won over Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, concluding their home ground jinx in IPL 2025.
In the match, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal each struck fifties, leading RCB to a total of 205 for 5 after being invited to bat first. Virat Kohli amassed 70 runs from 42 deliveries, while Devdutt Padikkal contributed 50 runs from 27 deliveries. The pair constructed a robust 95-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, it was Josh Hazzlehood who facilitated the process. Josh Hazlewood delivered a fantastic effort against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs. This encompassed pivotal wickets in the last overs, aiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in achieving an 11-run triumph.
Hazlewood’s performance was notably exceptional in the concluding overs, as he allowed only one run in the 19th over while claiming two wickets.
Hazlewood’s statistics illustrate his proficiency in restricting the adversary’s score and securing vital wickets.
Andy Flower commended Hazlewood for his proficiency in employing the appropriate delivery at opportune moments, emphasising his diverse bowling repertoire.
Concurrently, we cannot overlook Virat Kohli’s performance as a batsman and team player. In addition to scoring 70 in this match against Rajasthan Royals, he recorded scores of 59*, 31, 7, 67, 22, 62*, 1, 73* in his previous matches.
Virat has participated in 17 seasons for a single team, RCB, and is currently engaged in his 18th season. He is now the most run-scorer in the IPL, having amassed over 8,000 runs, including 8 centuries and 60 fifties, however he has not been part of a title-winning squad.
Virat, as the sole symbol and superstar, effectively fulfils the consolidator function, providing solid beginnings for other aggressive players such as Patidar, Livingstone, and Tim David to exploit and achieve substantial totals. Phil Salt must return to his customary form promptly.
Hazelwood and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar constitute a formidable beginning assault, effectively managing both the powerplay and death overs. Spinners are also doing their best. The fielding appears more astute, and the most notable transformation is that this team does not succumb to panic or falter in important situations.
With this mindset and resolve to capitalise on critical opportunities, RCB is strategically positioned for sustained performance and is indeed capable of securing Title in the IPL this season. The complete team, under the composed leadership of Patidar, would endeavour for the title, rather than Virat alone.
