David Warner predicts IPL 2025 winners and Josh Hazewlood as 'Player of the match' in final

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016-winning captain David Warner has predicted the winners of the ongoing edition. While Mumbai Indians (MI) have regained form and boast of plenty of proven match-winners in the history of the league, Warner is backing Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win their maiden title.

A fan on X asked Warner the question and he backed RCB to break the jinx. They have reached the final three times but haven't been able to get over the line. The last time RCB reached the final, it was against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Warner was leading SRH and they beat RCB by eight runs at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, thanks to Ben Cutting's all-round show.

This time around, Warner expects another Australian to win the 'Player of the match' award. He feels Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood will be the hero for RCB in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on June 3.

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Hazlewood hits purple patch

In the Qualifier 1, Hazlewood got the early strikes of Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis. Later, he returned to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai and wrap up PBKS's innings. He conceded 21 runs from 3.1 overs to take three wickets on his return after shoulder injury. Despite missing a few games, Hazlewood has claimed 21 wickets from 11 games at an average of 15.80, including a four-wicket haul.

RCB will be taking on the winner of Qualifier 2 between PBKS and MI. On June 3, Hazlewood will bowl on the batting-friendly Ahmedabad wicket for the first time.

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Hazlewood to head for another final

After the final, Hazlewood will fly to England where Australia will go up against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. This will be the first time he will be playing in a WTC final. Last time, he missed out due to an injury and Scott Boland replaced him.

After the eight-wicket win over PBKS, Hazlewood was asked about his preparation for WTC final.

"...I've got to be bowling, you know wherever I am in the world, I've got to be bowling getting ready for that game (WTC final) anyway," said Hazlewood after RCB reached their fourth IPL final.

"There's no better place than I think out in the middle, obviously you've got to bowl more, more hours of training from time to time to build up for a Test, but to get that intensity right up, there's no better place than the IPL," he added.