IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra says RCB will be favorites against RR, backs Virat Kohli to deliver in run-chase

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has tipped Royal Challengers Bengaluru as favorites against Rajasthan Royals when the two teams would take on each other at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Thursday. While RCB has managed five wins in eight games, RR have won only two in eight matches in IPL 2025.

But RCB is yet to register a single win at home however Chopra reckons it would change on Thursday. When these two teams met earlier in the season, RCB registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win at Jaipur after Phil Salt and Virat Kohli scored 65 and 62 runs respectively in the run-chase of 174.

“RCB have played well. Why haven’t they won at home thus far, although they have won five away? I feel they will start today. In my opinion, the scales are tilted towards RCB. Respect the conditions a little. If you win the toss, the story is over,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel. 

“If you don’t have to bat first, there is no tension at all. Make the opposing team bat. No matter how many runs they score, you would score them because the chase master comes in the chase. Kohli’s stature increases in run chases. He likes this team anyway. He is coming after scoring runs against them in Jaipur,” he added.

The renowned commentator highlighted that RCB has a lot of batting depth this season.

“Phil Salt also scored runs there. After that, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma and Tim David. There is a lot of depth and they are playing really well. If they wish, they might play Jacob Bethell in Romario Shepherd’s place, although it won’t make a difference even if Romario Shepherd plays,” Chopra observed.

Chopra said RCB should assess the pitch conditions and not go bonkers from the word-go if they bat first against RR as even 190 could be defendable.

“They have had to bat first in their last three (home) matches. When they get to bat first, they feel they need to score 200, or else they would lose. Then you try to slog a lot, runs aren’t scored, and then you end up short. I am saying that even if you score 190 while batting first, you can defend it because your bowling is very good,” he said.

Chopra added that the pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal are doing a fine job for RCB.

“Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal have the best powerplay numbers with the new ball. They also have the best death numbers. So you will do the job with 190. So don’t think you need to score 200-250 if you get to bat first,” Chopra concluded.