New Delhi [India], May 29: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar emphasized the significance of finishing in the top two in the IPL 2025 group stages, calling it a “planned milestone” that has now become a crucial morale booster for the team ahead of the playoffs.
RCB sealed second place on the points table with 19 points after a six-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final league match, booking a coveted spot in Qualifier-1 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), scheduled for Thursday.
Patidar: Recovery and Focus Are Key
“It was very important for us to be in the top two. That’s what we had planned for, and having achieved that, it is a big boost for RCB. We have less time before our next match, so we will look to recover quickly and take a nap while travelling. Everyone is in a good frame of mind and recovering well from the last game in Lucknow,” Patidar said in an official RCB release.
The team has been buoyed by stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma’s match-winning knock against LSG, widely regarded as one of the best of his career. His innings played a vital role in pushing RCB past LSG in a high-stakes match and boosting the team’s confidence ahead of the playoffs.
Josh Hazlewood: “Two Bites of the Cherry”
RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood also echoed Patidar’s views, underlining the advantage of a top-two finish in the IPL playoff structure, which allows a second chance to reach the final.
“Yes, it’s important to be in the top two. In this format, it helps to have two bites of the cherry. Someone goes off, and they win the game, and all of a sudden you’re out after being at the top for so long,” Hazlewood said.
He also acknowledged the challenge ahead, as RCB faces Punjab Kings on their home turf, a venue where PBKS has performed consistently well this season.
“Punjab Kings is a tough opposition, and we are playing at their home ground where they’ve played quite a number of games this season. So they’ll know the conditions well,” he added.
🔴 RCB Full Squad – IPL 2025 Playoffs:
- Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c),
- Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya,
- Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma,
- Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone,
- Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh,
- Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Blessing Muzarabani.
RCB now looks to convert momentum into a playoff push, with fans hoping the team can finally clinch its maiden IPL title after years of near-misses. A victory over PBKS in Qualifier-1 would give them a direct entry to the final.