A couple of days after excluding Virat Kohli from the only list that matters for batters in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has credited Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their seven wins out of 10 games. Manjrekar said that RCB have had six different 'Player of the matches' in seven games and it is their bowling which has restricted teams to an achievable target.
"RCB have finally found the winning formula. It’s not about one guy in the team. 7 wins, 6 different players’ of the match! (clap emojis)" Manjrekar wrote on X.
"4 off RCB’s 7 wins have come in chases. Targets 174, 175, 157 & 162. It’s their bowlers that have made the real difference this season!" he pointed out in another post.
While Kohli got the orange cap for his 47-ball 51, Krunal Pandya was adjudged the 'Player of the match' for his unbeaten 73 off 47 balls, featuring five fours and four sixes. He helped RCB get over the line with six wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Earlier, he got the wicket of opener Faf du Plessis who returned to the side after recovering from groin injury.
Despite a blazing start from Abishek Porel, RCB bowlers came back well in the middle overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar got three wickets whereas Josh Hazlewood struck twice to get the purple cap. Suyash Sharma did not get any wicket but was economical with the ball whereas Yash Dayal did not let Karun Nair settle. Manjrekar said the teams with best bowling attacks are in top four on the points table.
"The top 4 bowling attacks in the IPL are GT, DC, RCB & MI. Which are the top 4 teams on the table right now? Yes. Batters get spotlight. Bowlers get you points," Manjrekar wrote.
RCB's next clash
Earlier, RCB ended their losing streak at home against Rajasthan Royals (RR) with an 11-run win. RCB have a slightly long break and then their next clash is at home against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3.
So far, RCB have registered wins in six away venues. They have a chance to create record for most away wins in a single IPL edition.