With the race to the IPL 2025 playoffs reaching its final stages, three out of four places have been booked as on Sunday, May 18. One of the top teams to have impressed this season is Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who have produced one of their best campaigns in recent seasons and are now looking like strong title challengers.
RCB’s path to the playoffs has been influenced by some audacious moves and steady performances. Let’s take a better look at the three game-altering decisions that have driven their success in this season:
Stealing the Show at the Mega Auction: Tim David & Jitesh Sharma
RCB has never suffered from lack of firepower with the bat, but what they have lacked over the last few years is a finisher who can be counted upon. All this changed this year in the mega auction when they staged a masterstroke by signing Tim David at a mere Rs 3 crore and Jitesh Sharma, the Vidarbha explosive wicketkeeper-batter, at Rs 11 crore. Both the signings have turned out to be absolute assets.
Jitesh Sharma has contributed 128 runs at a strike rate of 142.22 and has been solid as a rock behind the wickets.
Tim David has been a revelation, hitting 186 runs at a whopping average of 93.00 and a searing strike rate of 193.75.
These purchases have brought depth and firepower to RCB’s middle and lower order-something they lacked for a long time.
Faith in Indian Talent
RCB has traditionally relied heavily on foreign stars, with Virat Kohli being one of the rare Indian stalwarts to always receive support. This season has, though, witnessed a change in approach-a welcome one-at that-with the franchise showing more belief in home-grown talent.
With the new captain Rajat Patidar, the side has displayed firm faith in home-based players. Players like Krunal Pandya, Devdutt Padikkal, and Yash Dayal have all been provided the chance to deliver in crucial situations in the tournament. This change has yielded rewards, producing a better balanced and harmonious team.
Relying on Experience in Death Overs: Bhuvneshwar & Hazlewood
While RCB’s batting has tended to be a forte, their bowling-particularly in pressure situations has failed them in previous seasons. However, 2025 has witnessed a dramatic turnaround, courtesy the veteran pair of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Hazlewood spearheaded the attack with 18 wickets at an average of 17.27 and an economy rate of 8.44.
Bhuvneshwar, the veteran campaigner, has contributed 12 vital wickets at an average of 28.25 and an economy of 8.92.
Their knack for taking early blows in the powerplay and maintaining tightness during the death has changed the bowling fortunes of RCB.
With these three masterstrokes – good auction selections, a fresh emphasis on Indian talent, and astute use of veteran bowlers-RCB has revamped itself in IPL 2025. And now, with the momentum in their favor, they appear well set to make it to the final.
