🏆 Ee Sala Cup Namde! ❤️💛
Royal Challengers Bangalore are the IPL 2025 Champions!
The wait is finally over! After years of hope, heartbreak, and unshakable belief, RCB has done it! They’ve clinched their first-ever Indian Premier League trophy in 2025 — and what a journey it has been!
From the electric atmosphere at Chinnaswamy to the roaring fans across the world, this victory belongs to every RCB supporter who never gave up. This season, the boys in red and gold played with fire, focus, and flair — and it all paid off.
Powered by sensational performances from Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, and some brilliant young talents, RCB stormed through the season and delivered when it mattered most — in the final. Their unity, intensity, and hunger for glory finally broke the curse.
This isn’t just a win.
This is redemption. This is history.
This is for every “next year” we believed in.
🥳 Ee Sala Cup Namde… and this time, IT’S OURS FOR REAL! 🏆❤️💛
Ee sala cup namde sir 😭😭pic.twitter.com/7SwgxbltZ1 https://t.co/4xQnNFoEzL
— 𝘼𝙫𝙪𝙣𝙪 (@AvunuMawa) April 2, 2025
Updated IPL 2025 Points Table as of April 11, 2025
🏆 IPL 2025 Points Table (Updated)
Legend:
- ✅ = Win
- ❌ = Loss
- ⚪ = No Result / Yet to Play
🏏 RCB IPL 2025: Season Overview
🔝 Top Run-Scorers
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s/100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 5 | 186 | 46.50 | 145.31 | 2/0 |
| Rajat Patidar | 5 | 164 | 37.20 | 161.73 | 2/0 |
| Phil Salt | 5 | 143 | 28.60 | 181.01 | 1/0 |
| Tim David | 4 | 92 | 92.00 | 195.74 | 0/0 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 4 | 88 | 29.33 | 154.38 | 0/0 |
🎯 Leading Wicket-Takers
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 5 | 8 | 3/21 | 8.65 |
| Krunal Pandya | 5 | 7 | 4/45 | 10.20 |
| Yash Dayal | 5 | 6 | 2/21 | 9.14 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 5 | 2/26 | 7.80 |
📊 Team Performance Summary
| Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | +0.539 |
🔍 Key Highlights
- Virat Kohli continues to lead from the front, amassing 186 runs in 5 matches with an impressive average of 46.50 and a strike rate of 145.31 .
- Josh Hazlewood spearheads the bowling attack with 8 wickets in 5 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 8.65 .
- Rajat Patidar has been a consistent performer, contributing significantly to the team’s batting strength .
Note: All statistics are current as of April 11, 2025.
RCB qualification chances:
— Praneeth VK¹⁸ (@fantasy_d11) March 1, 2025
8th May – 1%
18th May – QUALIFIED.
– The comeback will be written in history in golden letters @RCBTweets 🔥 https://t.co/UKgBjuKAEg pic.twitter.com/3GV195yepN
🏏 RCB IPL 2025: Season Highlights
🔄 Squad Overhaul
RCB underwent significant changes ahead of the 2025 season, releasing stalwarts like Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj. To bolster their lineup, they made strategic acquisitions:
- Phil Salt (₹11.5 crore): An explosive English opener expected to partner with Virat Kohli at the top.
- Josh Hazlewood (₹12.5 crore): The Australian pacer returned to RCB, bringing experience and pace to the bowling attack.
- Jitesh Sharma (₹11 crore): A dynamic wicketkeeper-batter aimed to strengthen the middle order.
- Liam Livingstone (₹8.75 crore): An all-rounder known for his power-hitting and useful spin.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (₹10.75 crore): The seasoned Indian seamer adds depth and swing to the pace department.
- Krunal Pandya (₹5.75 crore): A versatile all-rounder providing balance with both bat and ball.
🏏 RCB IPL 2025: Player Profiles & Performances
🔝 Key Batsmen
- Virat Kohli (Captain)
- Retained as captain for the 2025 season, Kohli continues to be the backbone of RCB’s batting lineup.
- In the opening match against KKR, he scored an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, showcasing his form and leadership.
- Phil Salt
- Acquired for ₹11.5 crore, the English wicketkeeper-batsman has been a valuable addition.
- Partnered with Kohli to chase down 175 against KKR, contributing a quickfire 56.
Rajat Patidar
- Retained ahead of the 2025 season, Patidar has been consistent in the middle order.
- Known for his aggressive batting, he has been instrumental in stabilizing the innings during crucial phases.
🎯 Leading Bowlers
- Josh Hazlewood
- Reacquired for ₹12.5 crore, Hazlewood leads RCB’s pace attack.
- In the season opener, he took 2 wickets for 22 runs, setting the tone for RCB’s bowling unit.
- Krunal Pandya
- Signed for ₹5.75 crore, Pandya has added depth to RCB’s all-round capabilities.
- His 3-wicket haul against KKR earned him the Player of the Match award.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Brought in for ₹10.75 crore, the experienced pacer adds swing and control to the bowling lineup.
- His inclusion aims to bolster RCB’s performance in the powerplay and death overs.
📊 Match Analyses
🆚 KKR vs RCB (March 23, 2025)
- Result: RCB won by 7 wickets.
- Highlights:
- Krunal Pandya’s 3/29 and Hazlewood’s 2/22 restricted KKR to 174/8.
- Kohli (59*) and Salt (56) chased down the target with ease.
🆚 RCB vs Gujarat Titans (April 2, 2025)
- Result: RCB lost by 8 wickets.
- Highlights:
- Liam Livingstone scored a fighting 54, but RCB managed only 170.
- Gujarat chased the target comfortably, with Jos Buttler scoring an unbeaten 73.
🧠 Strategic Insights
- Leadership: With Kohli at the helm, RCB aims to leverage his experience to clinch their maiden IPL title.
- Batting Depth: The inclusion of aggressive batsmen like Salt and Livingstone provides RCB with the firepower needed in T20 cricket.
- Bowling Balance: The combination of Hazlewood’s pace and Bhuvneshwar’s swing offers a balanced attack, crucial for varying pitch conditions.
🧢 Player Profiles
Liam Livingstone
- Role: Middle-order batter & all-rounder
- IPL 2025 Auction Price: ₹8.75 crore
- Batting Style: Right-handed power-hitter
- Bowling: Right-arm off-spin & leg-spin
- Previous IPL Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings
Phil Salt
- Role: Opening batter & wicketkeeper
- IPL 2025 Auction Price: ₹11.5 crore
- Batting Style: Right-handed aggressive opener
- Previous IPL Team: Delhi Capitals
📊 IPL 2025 Performance Comparison (as of April 11, 2025)
Performance Comparison – Phil Salt vs Liam Livingstone
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 5 | 143 | 28.60 | 181.01 | 1 | 56 |
| Liam Livingstone | 5 | 92 | 23.00 | 150.00 | 1 | 54 |
⚖️ Comparative Analysis
- Batting Impact: Phil Salt has been instrumental at the top of the order, providing aggressive starts and setting the tone for the innings. His high strike rate and ability to dominate bowlers early on have been crucial for RCB’s strong starts.
- Middle-order Stability: Liam Livingstone brings depth to the middle order, capable of both consolidating the innings and accelerating when needed. His all-round abilities add balance to the team composition.
- Versatility: While Salt focuses primarily on batting and wicketkeeping, Livingstone’s additional skills in bowling and fielding provide RCB with greater flexibility in team selection and in-game strategies.
📊 RCB vs Top Teams Head-to-Head (2025)
| Opponent | Result | Match Summary |
|---|---|---|
| KKR | ✅ RCB won | Dominated with Salt-Kohli stand, won with 3 overs to spare |
| CSK | ❌ Lost | CSK chased comfortably, RCB middle-order collapsed |
| PBKS | ✅ RCB won | Hazlewood + Siraj crushed PBKS top order |
| LSG | ❌ Lost | Pooran smashed 50 (18), exposed RCB’s death bowling |
| GT | ✅ RCB won | Livingstone 50+, Maxwell quick cameo |
| SRH | ✅ RCB won | Controlled chase, Salt + Kohli took it deep |
❌ RCB’s 2 Losses in IPL 2025 – What Went Wrong?
🧨 1️⃣ Loss vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Match 7)
- Result: SRH won by 6 wickets
- Nicholas Pooran: Blasted a 50 in just 18 balls
- RCB Bowling Struggled: Death overs were expensive
- Why It Happened:
- Pooran targeted the weaker death bowlers (Vyshak, Karn).
- Fielding errors added pressure.
- RCB’s total of 175 was below-par on a flat pitch.
- No momentum in the middle overs; Kohli & Faf were tied down.
🧨 2️⃣ Loss vs Lucknow Super Giants (Match 5)
- Result: LSG won by 1 wicket in a last-ball thriller
- Key Moment: Mayers & Stoinis put up a 100+ partnership
- Bowling Collapsed in Middle Overs
- Why It Happened:
- RCB dropped Stoinis twice — costly fielding lapses.
- Siraj was rested; lack of control in Powerplay.
- Dinesh Karthik’s late cameo wasn’t enough to push score past 190.
🧠 Common Themes in the Losses:
| Area | Weakness Noted |
|---|---|
| Bowling | Leaked runs at the death, lacked variations |
| Fielding | Dropped catches, poor throws |
| Middle Overs | Batting slowed down under spin pressure |
| Matchups | Pooran, Mayers, Stoinis exploited matchups |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
❓1. Has RCB ever won the IPL?
Yes! In IPL 2025, RCB finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy, ending years of heartbreak. “Ee Sala Cup Namde” finally came true!
❓2. Who is the captain of RCB in IPL 2025?
For the 2025 IPL season, Rajat Patidar is the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
❓3. Who are the key players for RCB this season?
Virat Kohli, who started the season with an unbeaten 59, has been inconsistent since, but RCB’s batting lineup still packs a punch. Phil Salt and Devdutt Padikkal have brought early aggression, while skipper Rajat Patidar offers solidity in the middle. Tim David, a former MI player, could be a key asset in this clash.
❓4. Who is the highest run-scorer for RCB in 2025?
Phil Salt has been in explosive form, leading the run charts for RCB with multiple fast-paced innings.
❓5. What is RCB’s strength this season?
- Strong opening partnership (Salt + Kohli)
- Improved bowling unit ( Hazlewood)
- Quality all-rounders
- Great balance between Indian and overseas players
❓6. Will RCB qualify for playoffs in 2025?
With their current form and momentum, RCB is well-positioned to make the IPL 2025 Playoffs. Consistency in middle-order and death bowling will be key.
