RCB's Road To IPL 2025 Final: Fearless Game Plan Puts Team On Cusp Of Debut Title – News18

Leadership change and untimely injuries couldn’t put a pause on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s magnificent run as they stormed into the Indian Premier League final.
When young Rajat Patidar took over from veteran South African Faf du Plessis, doubts emerged whether the inexperienced Indian batter could keep the RCB squad together. But the Madhya Pradesh cricketer didn’t disappoint, injecting a fresh energy that allowed players to embrace an attacking brand of cricket.
RCB have enjoyed perhaps their most convincing campaign in the history of the IPL, and it all started with a win over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game. Taking the momentum with them to Chennai, RCB battered the mighty Chennai Super Kings in Chepauk.
Hiccups against Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals at home raised questions about the M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s helpfulness for the home team, but barely had an impact on their form as Patidar’s men bolstered their top-four quest with an impressive run of seven victories in their next nine games.
A memorable win in a close-fought encounter against MS Dhoni-led Super Kings at the iconic Bengaluru venue secured RCB’s qualification, with their bowlers encouragingly holding their nerves to complete a two-run triumph that cemented the team’s top 4 berth.
But just when RCB were flying high to a top-two spot, an unexpected halt to the tournament amidst the India-Pakistan cross-border military conflict threatened to dampen the momentum of their game. RCB had to wait 14 days for their next match. Upon return, a rain-abandoned fixture versus the Kolkata Knight Riders and the loss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad further derailed them.
But RCB overcame the challenge and punched as a collective, defeating Lucknow Super Giants in their final league game on May 27 to confirm a second-place finish. Patidar’s injury only inspired stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma, whose tremendous knock of 85 helped RCB hunt down a massive target of 228 in Lucknow.
Patidar’s return for the playoffs boosted RCB as they then dominated the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, beating the table-toppers at their home in Mullanpur to race to their fourth IPL final on Tuesday, June 3 in Ahmedabad that will host the rematch versus the Kings.
The opening duo of Englishman Phil Salt and Indian batting legend Virat Kohli have been the stand-out performers with the bat for RCB this season.
Swipe Left For Next Video
While Salt has smashed 387 runs at a strike rate of 175.90, Kohli has been at his vintage best, amassing 614 runs in his 14 innings to run close in the Orange Cup race. Captain Patidar (286) and his deputy Jitesh (237) have chipped in with vital runs throughout the tournament, as did Devdutt Padikkal (247) before his injury.
But it’s the bowlers who have had the most telling impact on RCB’s fortunes. Experienced Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is the leading wicket-taker for RCB with 21 scalps, followed by veteran Indian quick Bhuvneshwar Kumar (15), who holds the joint-second spot with left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (15). Young seamer Yash Dayal (12) and leg-spinner Suyash Sharma (8) have also played underrated roles for their team.
Latest Blogs

source