'No one deserves it more than Virat Kohli': Monoj Tiwary likens RCB's IPL 2025 campaign with India's 2011 World Cup title triumph

Former India's star batter Manoj Tiwary feels Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) batting juggernaut Virat Kohli is the most deserving candidate to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 trophy. Currently, RCB hold second place in the standings with 17 points from 12 matches. RCB, GT, MI and PBKS are the four teams who have qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs. RCB, who have yet to secure an IPL title, received a significant boost to their chances of finishing in the top two after Gujarat Titans' loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Manoj Tiwary wants RCB to lift the IPL 2025 trophy

If RCB manage to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Ekana Stadium on May 23, they can realistically aim for a top-two finish, which would give them two opportunities to reach the final.

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Meanwhile, Manoj Tiwary drew a parallel between RCB's IPL 2025 campaign and India's 2011 World Cup title triumph. He recalled how the entire nation rallied behind India to win the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar, and he feels a similar sentiment now exists for Virat Kohli and the IPL trophy.

“With Gujarat Titans losing, RCB now have a very good chance to finish in the top two. It looks like the entire universe is working to help RCB end the trophy drought and win the IPL.,” Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.

“Virat Kohli deserves this, so many years have gone by. RCB deserves the trophy. With GT losing against Lucknow Super Giants, RCB can finish in the top two. The entire RCB team deserves to win the trophy,” Tiwary added.

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The 39-year-old also urged RCB and captain Rajat Patidar to maintain their efforts for Virat Kohli, emphasising the importance of ensuring Kohli secures an IPL title. Kohli recently retired from Test cricket, concluding his career with 9230 runs. He also holds the distinction of being the most successful Indian Test captain in terms of victories, with 40 wins in the longest format. In IPL 2025, Kohli is currently dominating the run-scoring charts, having amassed 505 runs in 11 matches at an average of 63.13 and a strike rate of 143.46. He is currently 133 runs behind the Orange Cap holder, Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans.

Manoj Tiwary also urged RCB and captain Rajat Patidar to maintain their efforts for Virat Kohli, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Kohli secures an IPL title. Kohli recently retired from Test cricket, concluding his career with 9230 runs. He also holds the distinction of being the most successful Indian Test captain in terms of victories, with 40 wins in the longest format.

In IPL 2025, Kohli is currently dominating the run-scoring charts, having amassed 505 runs in 11 matches at an average of 63.13 and a strike rate of 143.46. He is currently 133 runs behind the Orange Cap holder, Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans.