The first 18th season IPL match will begin on March 22 (Saturday) when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faces the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Throughout their years of heroic competition RCB has not achieved an IPL victory yet supporters continue to show steady support which made the team gain worldwide popularity.
Despite not making it all the way, they have ended as runners-up three times. Although they have had good teams in the past, they haven’t got the X factor or intensity to win the championship. Last year, RCB accomplished a spectacular feat by winning six straight league games to earn a spot in the playoffs.
After losing six of their first seven games and appearing doomed for another year, they made a comeback when it mattered most. RCB is hoping to break their curse of winning their first IPL title after assembling a comparatively stronger squad than in prior years ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction.
In light of this, let’s examine three potential explanations for why RCB could win the 2025 IPL championship:
1. RCB have a better bowling line-up than previous seasons
Season after season has been lost because the RCB bowlers have been the team’s weakest link over the years. They gave up huge scores on a flat Chinnaswamy pitch, and even with their best batting lineups, they haven’t been able to catch it most of the time.
But in 2025, they have a much better bowling lineup that is appropriate for the Chinnaswamy Stadium’s conditions. Defensive bowlers like Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Krunal Pandya are excellent choices for home conditions.
With Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood anticipated to assume the new ball responsibilities, they are also options for getting wickets. Compared to prior years, the middle overs can be more handled. All things considered, the RCB bowling attack appears to be a well-oiled machine that can contribute this season.
2. The form of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar
The team’s lynchpin is former RCB captain Virat Kohli, whose performance will be essential if the team is to create history and win its first IPL championship. In the 2016 season, Kohli amassed 973 runs and guided RCB to the tournament final.
Additionally, RCB’s incredible 2024 comeback and playoff qualification were fueled by Kohli’s outstanding performance. But in order to have two chances at the final, they need to be more reliable this season and aim to place in the top two.
During the Champions Trophy, Kohli was in incredible form, and the team could rely on him to bat in the appropriate situations. Rajat Patidar, the recently selected captain, has been playing exceptionally well leading up to the competition. He scored a brilliant 132 in a List A match against Hyderabad recently besides scoring 81 and 66 in a couple of T20 games.
3. Plenty of match-winners in their ranks
For the 18th season, RCB boasts a large number of match winners in their ranks, in contrast to prior years. They have enlisted Phil Salt, a true match winner who has the ability to alter the course of the game during the powerplay.
On their best day, the middle and lower middle order, which includes Tim David and Liam Livingstone, can annihilate any bowling attack. They can also completely destroy the bowlers on a flat Chinnaswamy surface.
Another clear-cut winner of games, Romario Shepherd, is also included in the squad but may not start. He may be a finisher, and we’ve seen the kind of impact he can have when performing.
Any elite batting lineup can be destroyed by players like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. After 17 seasons, RCB may finally end their trophy drought if everything works out.
