RCB qualifying for IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 is a major breakthrough in the franchise’s long and often turbulent history in the Indian Premier League. As the team marks its 18th year in the tournament without an IPL trophy, former cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has called this a season with a “twist in the story.”
According to Aakash Chopra, this year feels different—echoing the sentiment that the tide may finally be turning for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) who have reached Qualifier 1 for the first time since 2016. LSG posted a daunting total of 228 runs after being put in to bat first in Lucknow on Tuesday, May 27. However, RCB successfully chased down the target with six wickets in hand and eight balls remaining, securing the second spot at the end of the league stage.
Deep Dive: RCB Qualifying for IPL 2025 and Their Road to Qualifier 1
RCB’s qualification for IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 has not been a fluke—it’s the result of calculated execution, consistent performances, and strategic depth. One of the most impressive aspects of their campaign was their historic performance in away games. The team won all seven of their matches on opposition turf, an IPL first, demonstrating their adaptability to different pitch conditions and their mental toughness under pressure. This remarkable record made them one of the most resilient sides in the league this season.
Equally notable is the fact that eight different RCB players earned ‘Player of the Match’ awards throughout the tournament. The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that RCB pulled off their highest-ever successful run chase — also the third-highest in IPL history — during Tuesday’s match. Virat Kohli (54 off 30) and Phil Salt (30 off 19) gave RCB a flying start with a 61-run opening stand in just 5.4 overs. The momentum was then sustained by Jitesh Sharma (85* off 33) and Mayank Agarwal (41* off 23), who sealed the victory with an unbeaten 107-run partnership for the fifth wicket in only 7.2 overs.
“If we talk about the run chase, it was the third biggest run chase in this
tournament’s history. If you are doing that, then you are a superstar
team. If you look at it from your point of view, you had chased a 200-plus
total only twice previously, and you did it here,” Chopra observed.
However, their journey was not without flaws. A major oversight occurred when RCB submitted an incorrect team sheet before the high-stakes match against LSG. This administrative error could have cost them dearly, but fortunately, it didn’t alter the final outcome. The incident underscored the importance of off-field discipline, especially during such critical phases of the tournament.
What Lies Ahead: Can RCB Break Their Title Drought?
Now that RCB have booked their place in Qualifier 1, the spotlight is firmly on whether they can convert this advantage into their maiden IPL title. Their current momentum, along with a strong bench and well-distributed individual brilliance, gives them a real shot. If history is any guide, in both 2011 and 2016—when RCB finished in the top two—they went on to reach the final. Chopra’s optimism that “a twist is coming” may not be unfounded. With the title within touching distance, RCB fans will be hoping that 2025 is finally their year.