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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gave a fantastic all-round performance against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday in Mullanpur to qualify for the IPL 2025 final. After bundling out the Punjab-based franchise for just 101 runs thanks to Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood's three-wicket hauls, Phil Salt's brilliant knock of 56 runs took the Bengaluru-based franchise to their fourth IPL final in history.
Different players have stepped up for RCB throughout the season
Following RCB's stunning victory over PBKS, former India cricketer Varun Aaron lauded the players in the team for stepping up on different occasions and taking the side to victory in crucial matches throughout the season.
"At the end of the day, you've got to attribute it to eight players being man of the match throughout the season. Because RCB have always been dominated by a few players, a few big batters, I would say, did the bulk of the lifting. But there was always talks about, after Virat Kohli, who's the highest (Indian) run-scorer? Till last year, it was Rahul Dravid. This year, that has changed," Aaron said on ESPNcricinfo.
"Phil Salt has come in, he's played a really big hand. Devdutt Padikkal was instrumental in the first half. Now, you've got somebody like Jitesh Sharma standing up. Rajat Patidar is looking good, even from last game, though he didn't get too many runs. So, there are signs, and then Tim David comes in, plays brilliantly. Romario Shepherd, what an innings. So if you actually think about it, so many moments from RCB straightaway comes to mind that, you know what, everybody's chipped in at different times, when they were down and out," he added.
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Aaron also pointed out how RCB do not have a strong spin attack on paper, but the turners have given standout performances and have taken the side to victory on multiple occasions.
"Obviously, Josh Hazlewood, huge addition. Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) again here, brilliant. Krunal Pandya and Suyash, again, before the season, we were talking about their spin," Aaron stated.
“You know what, RCB doesn't have the best spin attack, but their spinners have stood up better than anybody else. It's just a story of guys stepping up more than they have stepped up before," Aaron concluded.
RCB finished the league stage on the second place, having accumulated 19 points from 14 matches. They were only placed behind league-leaders PBKS due to an inferior net run-rate. The Bengaluru-based franchise's dominant performance in the first qualifier is proof that they can very well go on to win the tournament for the first time ever.
If that does end up happening then it won't just be a sweet moment for the players and team management, but also for the fans who have stood with the side for years and have wholeheartedly supported them.
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