Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their relentless march towards a maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a dominant six-wicket victory over Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG), sealing a top-two end within the league stage and reserving their place in Qualifier 1 on Might 29.
RCB’s assertion win and historic away streak propel them to IPL 2025 Playoffs
Chasing a mammoth 228-run goal of their last league fixture on the Ekana Cricket Stadium, RCB showcased their batting depth and composure below stress, guaranteeing they enter the playoffs with confidence and momentum on their aspect. With the triumph in Lucknow, RCB turned the primary workforce ever to win all seven of their away matches in a single season below the home-and-away format. It’s a testomony to their adaptability, unity, and tactical sharpness throughout numerous taking part in circumstances.
RCB concluded the league stage with 19 factors , tied with Punjab Kings (PBKS), however settled for second place attributable to a slightly decrease web run fee (+0.30). This marks RCB’s highest league end for the reason that 2016 season, once they ended as runners-up. An enormous a part of this success has been the type of their top-order batters, significantly Virat Kohli, who not too long ago crossed 9,000 T20 runs for RCB, additional extending his stature because the franchise’s all-time legend.
Kohli has led the run-scoring charts for RCB this season, amassing 602 runs in 13 innings at a median of over 60, a significant cog within the workforce’s marketing campaign. As they put together to face PBKS in Qualifier 1, RCB can be banking on this newfound steadiness, combining explosive batting with efficient bowling choices. It’s a conflict that guarantees fireworks, particularly with each groups having crossed the 200-run mark on a number of events this season.
Additionally READ: IPL 2025: RCB star Jitesh Sharma earns Suryakumar Yadav’s admiration along with his heroic knock in opposition to LSG
Qualifier 1: Former RCB head coach urges two essential change vs Punjab Kings
Former RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar has weighed in with essential insights forward of the all-important IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, suggesting strategic modifications to strengthen RCB’s lineup. Talking on Star Sports activities present, recognizing PBKS’s formidable batting prowess, Bangar emphasised the necessity for Bengaluru to bolster their bowling unit by making two calculated modifications. Bangar advocated for the inclusion of Nuwan Thushara instead of England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, citing the latter’s poor kind all through the season.
In response to Bangar, his presence might be pivotal in opposition to a PBKS aspect that has crossed the 200-run mark at the very least six instances this season, typically dominating in powerplay and dying overs. The second advice was to switch West Indian all-rounder Romario Shepherd with Australian finisher Tim David, who alongside Josh Hazlewood missed the earlier match attributable to harm however is anticipated to be match for the playoffs
“Livingstone, who’s taking part in as an abroad batter, is just not scoring runs. So, make your bowling completely sturdy. Play Thushara instead of Livingstone. Then the bowling will turn into unimaginable. Then Phil Salt, Thushara, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David for Romario Shepherd. I really feel that mixture will be made. The Punjab Kings is in opposition to them and i believe Punjab have crossed 200 six or seven instances this season,” Bangar stated.
Regardless of being a high-profile INR 8.75 crore signing, Livingstone has solely mustered 87 runs and brought two wickets in eight matches, failing to make a significant influence in both self-discipline. In distinction, Thushara impressed on debut in opposition to LSG, the place he bowled economically and confirmed nice composure below stress. Shepherd conceded 51 runs in 4 overs in opposition to LSG, exposing RCB’s vulnerability within the dying overs with an financial system of 12.75.
Additionally WATCH: IPL 2025: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma mild up Ekana with flying kisses after RCB’s historic triumph vs LSG
