Why RCB Could Miss IPL 2025 Title: 3 Critical Problems To Address

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli for RCB in IPL 2025 [Source: AP Photos]Virat Kohli for RCB in IPL 2025 [Source: AP Photos]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been one of the most popular teams in the IPL tournament. Though they have not won the title ever in 18 years, they command a loyal fanbase who do not deter themselves from showing full support to their franchise.

IPL 2025 have so far been a dream season for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They have looked a complete unit and have played brilliant cricket throughout the season. As IPL 2025 is approaching its business end, the dream of the RCB of their maiden IPL title is gradually intensifying. 

However, a look at their performance so far in the tournament reveals us three problems that RCB might face in the playoffs and need to be prepared for. 

3. Poor Form Of Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar played a major role in the run of RCB during the IPL 2024 season. The dramatic turn-around that they scripted in the second half of the tournament was majorly dependent on Patidar's batting. 

His batting exploits earned him the captaincy for the IPL 2025 season. He has led the unit brilliantly, however as far his batting is concerned, he has failed to leave the impact that was expected to him. 

In the 10 innings that Patidar has batted in, he has scored 239 runs at a strike rate of 140.58. Thus in the middle overs, Patidar has failed to carry the team. The top order and the finishers have done more than their job and hence, Patidar's lack of form has not affected the team much.

However, in the pressure situations of play-off and final, if the top order fails and Rajat Patidar fails to deliver RCB could face a major problem. It would be essential that the management stays ready for such a situation and keeps a batter prepared. 

2. Over Dependency On Josh Hazlewood

The RCB management paid special care to make sure they had a better bowling line-up this season. While they had bowlers for most situations, it has been Josh Hazlewood who has been their prime wicket-taker and most impactful bowler. 

In Hazlewood's absence RCB struggled to defend a massive target of 212 runs against the Chennai Super Kings. This shows the over reliance of the unit on Josh Hazlewood in pressure situations and crunch games. 

It would be in the best interest of the team for the coaching staff to groom the rest of the bowlers. The form and momentum that RCB have should not got to waste to one odd bad phase of bowling by the line up in a pressure situation. 

1. Over Dependance On Kohli To Provide The Platform In Batting

Virat Kohli has once again emerged as the adhesive in the RCB batting in IPL 2025. While the fans are excited that the whole unit is showing brilliant performance, one must not forget the importance of Kohli's contributions. Interestingly in the matches where Kohli has scored below 30 runs, RCB have lost in IPL 2025. So, this shows how important his batting has been for the team. 

With the play-offs emerging, there is a chance that Virat Kohli is caught up by the law of averages. The whole team should keep themselves prepared for such a situation. If the failure of Kohli becomes the sole reason for RCB being eliminated, then it will be a disappointment for the huge fan base who are waiting for their dream of the maiden IPL win.