RCB in Top Form: Can Bengaluru Go All the Way in IPL 2025?

In the 2025 IPL season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have exhibited a mix of commendable performances and areas needing improvement. Their recent match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) highlighted both their strengths and challenges.

RCB's Performance in IPL 2025

RCB hasn’t just been winning—they’ve been dominating games. With clinical performances both at home and away, they’ve shown they’re not dependent on the pitch or the crowd. Their ability to handle pressure in high-stakes games, particularly tight chases and crucial defenses, has improved significantly compared to previous seasons.

Currently sitting in the top 3 of the points table, RCB has looked far more balanced and confident in their approach.

Key Retentions and Acquisitions:

RCB retained stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. In the auction, they bolstered their squad with players such as Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Krunal Pandya. RCB has shown more maturity in rotating their squad and managing player fatigue, especially with the long IPL schedule. Youngsters like Mahipal Lomror and Suyash Prabhudessai have stepped in and delivered when needed, showing depth in the bench.

Strengths:

• Batting Line-up: With the inclusion of aggressive batsmen like Livingstone and Salt, RCB's batting depth has improved, providing explosive options in the middle order.

• Bowling Attack: The addition of experienced bowlers like Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar adds variety and expertise to their pace attack.

Areas for Improvement:

• Spin Department: RCB lacks a frontline specialist spinner, relying on part-timers like Krunal Pandya and Liam Livingstone. This could be a vulnerability on spin-friendly pitches.

• Indian Fast Bowling Bench Strength: Beyond Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal, RCB's Indian pace options are limited, which might pose challenges in squad rotation and injury management.

RCB’s biggest enemy has always been inconsistency. One match they'd look like title contenders; the next, they'd crash under pressure. But in 2025, they’ve looked different—focused, fearless, and fluid.

With Mike Hesson and the coaching team doubling down on mental conditioning and strategic match-ups, RCB is finally playing like a team that believes this could be their year.

With the playoffs approaching, RCB still has some tough fixtures ahead. Clashes against teams like CSK and KKR will be pivotal. But if they keep their form, build momentum, and manage injuries smartly, there’s no reason why this can’t be the year the curse breaks.

Final Word: Believe Again?

Every RCB fan knows what heartbreak feels like. But this year, something feels different in the air. The energy. The fight. The hunger.

So here’s the question again:
Can Bengaluru go all the way in IPL 2025?
The answer might finally be yes.