IPL 2025: How RCB Got It Right This Season and Why This Edition Delivered Stronger Contests Than Last Year

First and foremost, my thoughts are with those impacted by the deeply upsetting events in  Bengaluru following the IPL 2025 Final. It was heartbreaking to see such scenes after what  should have been a celebration of the game. 

When looking back at the tournament, I genuinely believe this season of the IPL delivered  something special. Having been part of the league for many years now, this one felt like a  real evolution — sharper, more competitive, and packed with unforgettable moments. 

I genuinely felt this season offered better contests overall. Yes, there were still plenty of  high scores, 200-plus totals were almost the norm, but it wasn’t just a batter’s parade.  Unlike last year, where bowlers often looked like glorified bowling machines, this time they  had a bit more to work with. There was more balance, more fight, and it made for far more  compelling cricket. 

Let me start with RCB. As I’ve said before, I always felt their bowling would be the decisive  factor — the element that could carry them to the title. And ultimately, it proved to be just  that. Defending 190 in a high-pressure game was no small feat. Josh Hazlewood, despite a  

costly final over, brought immense value with his experience, especially alongside  Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal. I think in Hazlewood, they found the missing piece at  RCB and the results are there. One of their standout performers was Krunal Pandya and I  really hope his contributions throughout the tournament don’t go unnoticed as he’s been  central to RCB’s success. There were question marks around their spin department,  particularly with Suyash and Krunal, but time and again they stepped up and delivered  match-winning performances. 

And then, of course, there’s the influence of Virat Kohli. As I mentioned in a previous piece  — it almost felt written in the stars. A glorious moment for a truly iconic player. After so  many seasons, finally lifting the IPL trophy must have brought him immense satisfaction. 

Beyond his batting, I believe his role in the leadership group was just as significant. It is  also important to give full credit for it Rajat Patidar, who was new captain at the helm. Let’s  not forget he started the tournament strongly with the bat, which really set the tone for his  campaign — both as a player and a leader. And with someone like Andy Flower in the  dugout, arguably the best coach in the league, RCB had the perfect blend of leadership  and strategy this season.

When evaluating the best coach or captain, it’s not just about tactics — it’s about the  environment they create. And I think the leadership at RCB, from Andy Flower to the  support staff to a mentor in Dinesh Karthik, built an atmosphere where players could truly  thrive. 

The culture they fostered — encouraging, focused, and united — played a massive role in  their success. You could see the impact of Flower’s calm authority and clear  communication throughout the group. It’s no surprise to me that RCB came out on top in  the end. They didn’t just play good cricket; they created the right space to allow it to  happen. 

There’s often talk about how RCB has had some incredible sides in the past, featuring  legends like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, and yet it took them 18 seasons to finally win  the title. But for me, this year’s team had something different: more balance and depth.  Some may disagree, but I genuinely believe this is RCB’s most well-rounded side, capable  of adapting to varying conditions, opponents, and challenges. That comprehensive  coverage, especially in their bowling unit, made their success no surprise. Over the course  of a long tournament, spanning four months and even a mid-season break, it’s that  resilience, balance, and depth that truly get tested. And this side delivered on all fronts. 

Punjab Kings are the losing team on paper in the final of IPL 2025, but they must be very  proud of their achievements in this season. It was a fantastic IPL campaign for Punjab and  Ricky Ponting’s influence was clear throughout, and Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role in  shaping their run. While they fell just short this time, the foundation they’ve built feels  strong. You get the sense it’s only a matter of time before their moment arrives. 

How Flower and Ponting built two good solid IPL teams from the scratch 

I think the influence of Flower and Ponting has been absolutely pivotal on their respective  teams. It is very natural for the spotlight to fall on the mega auction before the IPL and  rightly so. Securing the right players and building a strong squad is crucial. But for me,  what’s even more important is what happens after the auction. It’s about how you manage  those resources, how you integrate them into a cohesive structure, and most importantly,  how you create an environment where players are empowered to grow, perform, and  thrive. That’s where real success is built. Ponting and Flower managed to do that well, but  of course, in the end there is only one winner. 

The tournament reiterated and underlined the fact that the best bowling side often takes  the crown. We hear it time and again in franchise and international cricket: while batters 

win matches, it’s the best bowling unit that wins tournaments. Long competitions favor the  most cohesive, disciplined sides. And without a doubt, these two teams in the final were  the most united and resilient, finding ways to outlast their opponents over the long haul. 

IPL continues to produce future superstars 

One of the things that continues to set the IPL apart — and something I’ve always admired  as someone watching and working on it from the UK — is its ability to develop young Indian  talent. And this year, it didn’t just deliver on that front, it exceeded expectations, maybe  tenfold. The emergence of exciting, uncapped players, especially with the bat, has been a  highlight. Priyansh Arya, Shashank Singh’s composure in the final, Ayush Mhatre from  Chennai, and Sai Sudharsan’s consistency and ability to play till the end earned him a  place in the Test side for the tour of England. 

And then there was Vaibhav Suryavanshi — just 14 years old and already scoring at a strike  rate among the highest in the tournament. It’s incredible to see such fearless cricket from  someone so young. If there’s one area I’d like to see more growth in, it’s among the fast  bowlers. Mayank Yadav, for example, looked electric but was unfortunately held back by  injuries. However, I still feel, the IPL continues to fulfill one of its most vital roles and which  is grooming the next generation of Indian cricket. And on that front, this season has been  nothing short of remarkable. 

Surprises and puzzles 

One of the biggest surprises for me was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s struggles. I had them  pegged as a top-four contender and, on paper, they arguably had the strongest squad  going into the tournament. Their underperformance will surely be something they reflect on  during the offseason as they prepare for next year. 

Similarly, I expected Mumbai Indians to at least challenge for a spot in the final. With key  additions like Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, they looked well-equipped, despite being  somewhat hampered by player departures late in the season — challenges that other  teams faced as well. So, their failure to progress to final was a bit unexpected. 

Rishabh Pant, for me, remains something of a puzzle this season. It’s been surprising to  see him struggle so much, especially with the bat — his primary strength. He’s undeniably  a gifted player, brimming with talent. While many say his greatest impact is in Test cricket,  there’s no denying the sheer skill he brings to the white-ball game as well. I’m sure his time  as captain and batting at number four has been a huge learning curve. Though this season 

was challenging, I believe it will ultimately make him a stronger, more resilient player. I’m  confident he’ll bounce back and build on this experience moving forward.