Cricketer-turned-expert Aakash Chopra has stated that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to qualify for the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season after their win against Rajasthan Royals (RR). RCB clinched their sixth victory of the season and their first home win at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on account of brilliant death bowling by Josh Hazlewood.
Chopra was all praise for the Aussie bowler, who gave just one run in the penultimate over when RR required 18 runs from two overs. Hazlewood's outstanding 19th over shifted the momentum in RCB's favor, and they gave their loyal fans something to cheer about after three losses at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The pacer finished with 4 wickets for 33 runs in his four overs as RCB won by 11 runs.
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In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra credited Hazlewood for finally ending RCB's home jinx and putting them on the verge of yet another playoff spot.
"The home jinx is also broken. They have registered their first win. RCB are set to qualify, although there is a huge crowd in the race for the top. The match was hanging in the balance till the 38th over. Then came Josh Hazlewood and did an incredible job," he said (0:01).
The former India opener opined that RR was cruising heading into the penultimate over, as set batter Dhruv Jurel was batting well.
"There is only one headline, the 19th over. 18 runs were required in two overs. This match could have gone either way. Dhruv Jurel was batting very well. He had hit 22 runs against Bhuvneshwar Kumar. So you felt the game had been set up," he observed.
Aakash Chopra effusive in praise of RCB's bowling attack, feels its game-changer
Over the years, we have seen RCB boast of one of the best batting lineups, with the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Shane Watson, and Faf du Plessis in the mix. However, the franchise always used to gobble in the bowling department. Barring Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, and Yuzvendra Chahal, RCB did not have any game-changer bowlers. This year, the scenario has completely changed, as RCB has a variety in the bowling attack and has got all bases covered.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Krunal Pandya, and Suyash Sharma all have been amongst the wickets. Hazlewood, with 16 wickets, is the joint purple cap holder now. Chopra stated that RCB's bowling attack has been a revelation and a game-changer in the IPL 2025 season.
"There has been a serious upgrade in the bowling department, and Josh Hazlewood is the one very, very big reason, why this team is looking a lot better. You needed might in the bowling as this franchise used to score runs earlier as well," Chopra observed.
Chopra also lavished praise on Krunal Pandya (2 wickets for 31 runs) and Suyash (0 wickets for 31 runs) for keeping things tight in the middle overs with their spin bowling.
