Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) want ultimate glory. After 17 years of disappointment in the Indian Premier League (IPL), they want to lift their maiden trophy. Punjab has been close only once, in 2014. But Bengaluru has got one hand on the cup thrice, only for three different teams to steal the cup right from their hands.
Do it for Kohli!
This year, RCB would want to win it all for Virat Kohli. He’s been with the franchise from the start. Bad and good, seen it all. Even before he was a household name, he was giving it all for the team. And this just might be the last attempt. Kohli’s already retired from T20Is and Test cricket. IPL and ODIs are what’s left now.
And given how he hung up his red-ball boots out of nowhere, you can’t be certain whether Kohli will return to IPL 2026. Keeping that in mind, Rajat Patidar’s RCB would try to finally win the trophy for Kohli. Much like the Indian team did for Sachin Tendulkar in the ODI World Cup 2011.
Unavailable players & injuries
Of course, the path won’t be easy. PBKS didn’t end the group stage as the best team by coincidence. Everything is clicking for them. And unlike the other three teams, Punjab won’t have the services of just one foreign player. They will miss Marco Jansen, no doubt but RCB themselves don’t have Lungi Ngidi and Jacob Bethell.
Then there are the injury concerns. Patidar didn’t play the last match due to his finger injury. Salt has returned to fitness, but even he was out for a few games before. Tim David has a hamstring niggle and although interim captain Jitesh Sharma stated he’ll be available for selection, it’s yet to be seen. You don’t recover from hamstring injuries in a couple of days, but who knows?
Then we come to Josh Hazlewood. The pacer hasn’t played since April 27. That’s over a month. And might I remind you; he too was injured. He was rehabbing in Australia and only returned a couple of days ago. What if he isn’t 100% yet? Or isn’t he back to his best from the get-go?
Form woes
In Hazlewood’s absence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal have struggled. Combined, they have taken 3 wickets in the last 3 matches. Lungi did okay but he’s flown back. Blessing Muzarabani comes as his replacement, but Nuwan Thushara has done a good job as well. Suyash Sharma has been disappointed the whole season.
Positives
Krunal Pandya has done well with the ball and even with the bat once. If RCB wishes to qualify for the IPL 2025 Final, their batting might have to do the heavy lifting. Kohli and Phil Salt’s opening partnership needs to torment oppositions like they have been doing.
Mayank Agarwal has shown potential at number three. Patidar’s form has been woeful but he’s a quality player. Jitesh might just be in the form of his life. Romario Shepherd can provide the final blow. And if David’s fit, that makes things even better.
IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: RCB look to recreate Tendulkar’s 2011 glory for Virat Kohli Inside Sport India.
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