Royal Challengers Bengaluru may have enjoyed a dominant IPL 2025 campaign, but cracks have started to appear at a crucial stage of the season. Four of RCB’s five defeats have come away from home, exposing vulnerabilities outside familiar conditions despite an otherwise impressive run. With the playoffs looming and the possibility of playing across three venues within six days, the Rajat Patidar-led side faces a physically and mentally demanding challenge. Although skipper Rajat Patidar returned with a gritty half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he is still searching for peak form ahead of the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans continue to look like one of the most balanced teams in the competition, thanks largely to the consistency of their explosive top order featuring Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. Their pace attack, led by Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, has added further strength with both depth and aggression. However, Gujarat’s middle order remains a concern, with only Washington Sundar making a notable impact this season. The Titans are also yet to chase down a 200-plus target successfully, raising questions about their adaptability under pressure.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, have impressed with their resilience and ability to recover quickly from setbacks. Experienced campaigners Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan have anchored the batting lineup in pressure situations, while youngsters like Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge and Shivang Kumar have injected freshness into the bowling attack. Yet, the lack of playoff experience within the squad could prove costly, with captain Pat Cummins being the only player with consistent exposure to high-pressure knockout cricket.
For Rajasthan Royals, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the season’s brightest stories. The 15-year-old has displayed remarkable composure and fearless batting, especially during a period when Yashasvi Jaiswal has struggled for consistency. The return to form of pace spearhead Jofra Archer has also lifted Rajasthan’s hopes significantly after his fiery spell against Mumbai Indians. However, concerns remain around the Royals’ middle order, which has failed to fire collectively throughout the season. Their spin department also appears unsettled, with Ravindra Jadeja only recently returning from absence and Ravi Bishnoi sidelined since the beginning of the month, leaving Rajasthan vulnerable in crucial matches ahead.
