Royal Challengers Bengaluru their management got trolled once again during the mega auction for botching yet another auction. RCB was written off once again from the tournament before the beginning of the season. As the 18th time proved to be the charm, RCB has risen to the occasion with the strongest team of the season, one that can adapt and deliver match by match.
From being the first team to qualify for the play-offs to reaching the finals, the destination is near. But the journey was not as easy as it looks. Here is the journey of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the IPL 2025.
RCB’s Quietly Brilliant 2025 Mega Auction
The formula RCB used to follow was to get a player in form or fill the batting order and not worry about the bowling order. This has been the story of their IPL journey for the past 17 seasons. But this time, their strategy was quite different.
Their main focus was to build a team that could adapt and deliver. From signing Phil Salt as the lethal weapon to open alongside Virat Kohli, to bringing back Josh Hazlewood to reconstruct their strategy of winning matches through bowling, RCB struck gold in this auction.
Talking about gold, how can we forget Krunal Pandya, the biggest steal in the IPL 2025 mega auction? RCB was the lucky winner. Krunal has been nothing but their X-factor, delivering more than we expected him to. Overall, RCB’s auction was the perfect first step in achieving their dreams.
Rajat Patidar: Captain by Choice, Destined for Greatness
When Rajat Patidar was announced as captain, there was outside noise. That might have motivated him to focus even more on his captaincy, and he manifested that he would bring the trophy to Chinnaswamy Stadium during their unlock event. Now, he’s one step closer to achieving it.
Rajat Patidar has been the perfect captain for this line-up, backed by Virat Kohli. His on-field decisions have been impactful. He made some match-winning calls and led this team to the IPL 2025 finals.
A Record-Breaking Year Written in RCB’s Books
When it comes to legacy, RCB has been distant from creating one of their own in the IPL. But this season, that distance has reduced with every match.
From defeating CSK at Chepauk after 16 years to becoming the first-ever team to win all 7 out of 7 away matches, RCB’s record books are getting filled. And now, with just one last push, they can add the trophy, creating a legacy that’s truly theirs.
Stars of RCB in IPL 2025
We’ve seen RCB follow the same template season after season: one or two stars leading the team. One of them is always Virat Kohli, and the other names change depending on players' performances. But this season was different.
Krunal Pandya was their best all-rounder with 15 wickets in 14 matches. With the bat, his one clutch innings that took RCB home came against Delhi Capitals, where he saved the team from collapse on a tough pitch. As a bowler, he delivered in key moments against KKR in the opening match, and in the final over against MI, where he defended 19 runs in 6 balls. He’s been the go-to man for Rajat Patidar and even single-handedly won two matches for RCB.
Josh Hazlewood was their best bowler, leading the line-up with 21 wickets at an average of 15.81, the best for any bowler this season. He’s been pivotal in defending totals and shifting the momentum. RCB fans believe he still has one big performance left for the final.
The one list that never changes is Virat Kohli being RCB's best batter. He scored 614 runs in 14 matches at an average of 55.82, leading the team with the bat once again. He hit six fifties while chasing, and as always, the chase master never backed down from a fight.
This Season, RCB Refused to Crumble
The difference this season: when a top batter or bowler failed, the entire unit didn’t crumble like before. This time, failures triggered comebacks. A rare failure from Kohli inspired Phil Salt to step up. A tough outing for Hazlewood pushed Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal to deliver.
Unlike past seasons, RCB had their special moments saved.
- Romario Shepherd’s 53(14) was the fastest fifty of the season a match-winning knock against CSK.
- Jitesh Sharma’s 85(33) against LSG was his best innings ever and helped RCB chase their record total of 228, securing a top-two finish.
- Tim David’s finishing knocks made a huge difference in tight games.
- Suyash Sharma’s performance in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings was another highlight of the journey.
The difference was clear: unlike every other season, RCB didn’t let key moments slip away. Every player in the playing XI stood up when it mattered most.
18 Years in Making, Is This Virat Kohli’s Moment of Destiny?
A kid who was born for Bengaluru and brought up in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli has carried RCB every single season. God knows how many disappointments he’s faced along the way. 2016 was an absolute heartbreak for their main man.
But with 18 seasons in the bank, and now reaching his 18th final, is this the year RCB’s legend finally gets his hands on the trophy?
Stay tuned. The last mile is near for the men in red.
