Virat Kohli is an Under-19 World Cup winner (2008), a World Cup winner (2011), a Twenty20 World Cup winner (2024), and a Champions Trophy winner (2013 and 2025). Virat Kohli has also been part of the Asia Cup 50-over format-winning teams (2010 and 2023) and the Asia Cup T20-winning team (2016).
Virat Kohli’s collection of silverware is almost complete, given the team achievements with the Indian national side. However, he would have been thrilled if his trophy collection included at least one IPL winner’s cup.
Virat Kohli must be extremely disappointed not to have seen the talented Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win the prestigious IPL in seventeen seasons. Known as the King of white-ball cricket, the dashing Virat Kohli has shown complete loyalty to the team, playing 252 matches/244 innings, scoring 8004 runs with 8 centuries and 55 fifties. Virat Kohli led the team 143 times from 2011 to 2023, with one season gap in 2022.
All Virat Kohli and the RCB have to show for their efforts are three final appearances—finishing second to Deccan Chargers (2009), Chennai Super Kings (2011), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016). The team has reached the playoffs nine times. Winning the IPL is unfinished business for Virat Kohli, who might have been hoping to emulate Smriti Mandhana’s RCB, which won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2024 but failed to make the playoffs this season.
RCB retains Virat Kohli and their performance at the Jeddah
Virat Kohli remains RCB’s biggest draw. He fills up the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This is the 18th edition of the IPL, and with Virat Kohli as RCB’s most beloved cricketer, the franchise will hope for a turn of luck starting from the opening match against the three-time winner and defending champion, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on March 22.
Virat Kohli has opened the RCB innings 113 times, scoring 4352 runs at an average of 45.81. He should open the innings alongside Phil Salt, who has replaced Faf du Plessis in the squad. Salt had opened the innings for KKR in season 17.
RCB has named rookie Rajat Patidar as captain. Rajat Patidar, who struggled in the home Test series against England last year, has played only 27 matches for the Bengaluru side, scoring 799 runs. Last season, he played fifteen matches and scored 395 runs, maintaining a high average of 37.75 in the one-drop position, from where he scored 453 runs, including 322 at No.4.
The franchise went all out at the player auction, successfully bidding for England’s Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell, along with Salt and Australia’s Tim David, who can bombard rival bowling attacks with towering sixes. These power hitters should relish the batting paradise that is the Chinnaswamy.
The team retained Virat Kohli, Patidar, and left-arm seamer Yash Dayal. At the mega auction, they chose wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, left-arm spinner all-rounder Krunal Pandya, and batter Devdutt Padikkal. The team also has several impact players in left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh, seamer Rasik Salam Dar, and big hitter David.
The squad’s bowling department is bolstered by experienced seamers and fast bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dayal, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, and Abhinandan Singh. The team also has leg-spinners Suyash Sharma and Mohit Rathee.
Under coach Andrew Flower, RCB has altered its batting structure. Last season, the team’s key batters included du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik, Cameron Green, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, and Glenn Maxwell. Despite Mohammed Siraj’s impressive performance (15 wickets at 33.07), RCB opted not to retain him. They used 10 bowlers last year, retaining Dayal, who took 15 wickets.
The team’s think tank has devised a bowling combination designed to win matches across the country, especially at home. However, RCB’s home record is dismal, having won only 39 of the 80 games played, with a low win rate of 48.75% and 37 losses. This is an area that RCB needs to improve to enhance their chances of making the playoffs. Fortunately, they have the resources to do so.
SWOT Analysis for RCB
RCB’s Strengths in IPL 2025
One of the strongest positives for RCB going into IPL 2025 is the balance in their squad. Contrary to seasons past, where they relied heavily on star power, this year’s squad has been constructed on the basis of roles instead of merely marquee names.
With Phil Salt and Virat Kohli likely to open the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the team boasts an exceptionally formidable top order. Both players are known for their aggressive batting style and ability to set a solid foundation. The presence of Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, and Tim David in the middle order further bolsters the team’s lineup, ensuring there is no respite for the opposition bowlers after the openers.
RCB have consolidated its Indian strength with Patidar captaincy, Virat Kohli as the ace, and Devdutt Padikkal contributing good batting depth. Having Jitesh Sharma as a wicket-keeper batter makes them more agile in the middle order. Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Tim David signings inject explosive power into their ranks. Salt, in red-hot touch of late, is a steady wicketkeeper-batter option at the top.
The inclusion of fast bowlers like Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, and Nuwan Thushara strengthens RCB’s pace attack considerably. Each of these bowlers brings unique skills and the ability to perform in a variety of conditions, giving the team much-needed flexibility in their bowling strategy. Their combined experience and talent make the fast-bowling unit a significant asset for RCB.
In the past, RCB’s biggest flaw has been their failure to defend totals in the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This week, however, with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearheading the attack, they now boast increased death overs reliability. Nuwan Thushara and Lungi Ngidi also offer express pace.
Krunal Pandya’s presence adds a valuable dimension to RCB’s squad, offering depth in both batting and spin bowling. His all-round capabilities make him a key player in the team’s setup. Additionally, Romario Shepherd provides an option as a seam-bowling all-rounder, further enhancing the team’s balance and versatility. Shepherd’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him an important part of the lineup.
The presence of players like Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Jacob Bethell adds depth to both batting and bowling and makes RCB less dependent on individuals.
RCB’s greatest strength has always been their top-order batting, and this time they concentrated on having powerful middle-order batters in their lineup. With the addition of Liam Livingstone, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd, RCB has a good batting depth that will benefit them as they play seven home games at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Additionally, the team has a group of experienced pacers who can produce strong results throughout the season.
RCB’s Weaknesses in IPL 2025
Despite Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) investing in experienced players like Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma to bolster their spin attack, the team still lacks a top-tier spinner. This absence of a premier spinner could be a significant concern, particularly when playing on turning tracks where spin bowling often becomes a game-changer.
One disadvantage for RCB has been the lack of a frontline spinner in their roster. Despite investing in Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, as well as bringing back Swapnil Singh, their spin department appears to be lacking. Despite having a fantastic economy of under 8 since 2017, Pandya would want a partner that can wreak havoc with spin.
Having a high-quality spinner can make a substantial difference in tight matches, and RCB might struggle in these conditions without one. Despite RCB working on many of its previous issues, some glaring weaknesses continue to exist. RCB have traditionally had experienced international celebrities at the helm, but now with Patidar leading the charge, only time will tell whether he can deliver under the IPL captaincy pressure.
While Livingstone and Phil Salt offer explosive alternatives, RCB lacks a consistent No. 4 or No. 5 batsman who can steady the innings in the event of early dismissals. This has been a concern for quite a few seasons. RCB bowlers, no matter how much their bowling attack has been enhanced, will continue to lose out in high-scoring matches on their home ground. Players like Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar will have to be in the best of their forms to help restrict the run flow.
RCB’s Opportunities in IPL 2025
The upcoming season holds promising opportunities for young talents like Suyash Sharma and Jacob Bethell. If these emerging players are given ample chances to showcase their skills, they have the potential to make significant breakthroughs. Their inclusion in the squad brings fresh energy and an element of surprise, which could play a crucial role in the team’s success. With the right guidance and enough game time, Sharma and Bethell could establish themselves as key performers and future stars of the league.
RCB have never lifted an IPL trophy, but this season offers a huge chance to finally end the jinx. Patidar’s appointment marks a move towards long-term thinking, with RCB able to construct around Indian young guns. If Patidar delivers, he may lead the franchise for many seasons.
With Virat Kohli now playing without the burden of captaincy, he can focus entirely on his batting, which might bring out his best version in IPL 2025. The presence of Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, and Suyash Sharma gives RCB a chance to nurture future stars who could make an impact in crunch games.
As previously mentioned, RCB has more or less ticked all the boxes this time around and appears to be the favorite to win the championship among the IPL 2025 Teams. Additionally, Virat Kohli, who has always seemed to take the side out of difficult situations, won’t be under as much pressure considering the side’s strong batting depth.
RCB’s Threats in IPL 2025
Hazlewood, Ngidi, and Livingstone have all been injury-plagued in the past few years. If any one of them is out for a major part of the season, RCB’s equilibrium can be upset. If Kohli or Salt fail in some games, the batting of the team can be affected, as the middle order has not been tested under pressure yet.
RCB will have to be at their very best to remain competitive with squads like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans that have squads with great depth. The team’s biggest threat would be not having many backup options for certain positions, which could cause problems as the competition progresses.
Though they have a strong fast bowling core, a lack of backup options for them in case of any injury concerns can affect the team’s result. Furthermore, the side does not have alternative options for the opening slots in case Salt doesn’t fire at the top.
While Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) boasts a strong and formidable starting XI, they face a significant vulnerability in the form of limited backup options. Should key players suffer injuries, it could severely derail their campaign. The depth of the squad is a critical factor in sustaining performance levels throughout a long and demanding season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has a loyal and passionate fanbase that holds high hopes for the team’s success. The pressure to meet these expectations can lead to increased stress and anxiety for the players, affecting their ability to perform at their best. Managing this performance pressure is crucial for the team to ensure that players remain focused, confident, and able to deliver under high-stakes situations.
Another threat for RCB is that they always succumbed to pressure in knockout matches, which were evident in previous seasons. They came close to winning the title after reaching the final in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but fell short of clinching the coveted trophy. RCB reached the playoffs four times in the last five seasons, but they could not progress beyond the knockout stage. Therefore, Royal Challengers Bengaluru need to overcome this psychological barrier in order to win their maiden IPL title.
RCB full 2025 IPL Squad
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee
RCB Best Probable Playing XI : Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk.), Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood , Yash Dayal
RCB Prediction for IPL 2025
AAAR CEEE BEEE! Here they go again! The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back in action and ready to chase their first-ever Indian Premier League title! They’ll kick off their 2025 campaign with a clash against the defending champions,, Kolkata Knight Riders, on March 22 at Eden Gardens.
Their journey to the playoffs last year was nothing short of blockbuster! From losing six matches in a row to winning six straight, RCB kept the “Ee salaa cup namde” chant alive for longer than anyone expected. But the voices fell silent after their 4-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in the playoffs. However, how long will that silence last Once again, the chants are louder than ever this year, especially with some game-changing shuffle in their Virat Kohli-studded squad.
RCB have put together a balanced team for IPL 2025, featuring a good balance of Indian cricketers, explosive foreign superstars, and a solid bowling unit. Success, though, depends on the leadership of Patidar, batting prowess of Virat Kohli, and their ability to deliver under pressure situations.
If they remain consistent and plug their loopholes, it may well be that year when RCB holds aloft the IPL trophy. But if familiar problems – such as middle-order breakdowns and death-over woes – return to haunt them, then it would be another season of misery.
RCB has once again built a squad filled with potential. Their powerful batting lineup, strengthened bowling attack, and leadership experience could propel them to their first-ever IPL title. However, they must overcome key challenges, particularly in the spin department and backup options. Will IPL 2025 finally be RCB’s year? Only time will tell.