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First Post
6 days ago
- Business
- First Post
RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat hails 'special' IPL season, wants players to 'get addicted to winning'
During his inspiring speech in RCB dressing room, Bobat also thanked Virat Kohli for giving his all for the team's cause since the league's inaugural edition in 2008. read more Their long-cherished dream finally realised, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's director of cricket Mo Bobat has now set his sights on claiming a second successive IPL title next year, and urged his players to 'get addicted to winning.' Bobat gives a new target to RCB players During a stirring speech in the dressing room, Bobat also thanked RCB talisman Virat Kohli for giving his all for the team's cause since the league's inaugural edition in 2008. 'When I think about what we have gone through this season, one word that comes to my mind is special. The way we played has been special, that inspired people. 'We think about the game, we think about the aggressive nature of cricket we played, the environment that we created was really special. That's what gives you these sorts of results,' Bobat said during the speech, the video of which was posted by RCB on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | How RCB shed their old identity to win their first IPL title The 36-year-old Kohli, who retired from Test cricket last month, had been dreaming of winning the title in the world's biggest T20 league for the last 18 years. 'This is without question one of the most anticipated trophies in world sport and we think about what our fans have gone through, what Virat has gone through for all those years. This is a hugely anticipated trophy. 'I know you don't like to be singled out, Virat, but thank you for everything as a senior player and an icon player of this team. Everything you have put in over the last 18 years, you deserve this moment,' Bobat said. '𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴', says Director of Cricket Mo Bobat as he delivers the THANK YOU speech in the dressing room after our trophy winning campaign. 🫡 — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 4, 2025 He asked his players to make winning a habit and is looking to claim back-to-back IPL titles, something that only two teams have achieved so far – Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020). 'We need to enjoy tonight, we have to massively enjoy tonight but get time to look around you and like we have done through the season I am actually asking you to make sure we really really get addicted to this feeling because this is the start. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Not many teams have won back-to-back IPLs. It happened twice before, next we will have final in Bengaluru and we go again. So get addicted to the feeling tonight. That feelings drives the hunger for addiction to winning and winning that trophy,' he said. Also Read | IPL 2025 Award Winners List: Orange Cap, Purple Cap, Emerging Player and others winners Bobat, who has previously served as the performance director for England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for 12 years, said it was a complete team effort from RCB that culminated in a maiden title triumph. 'Everybody in this room should be incredibly proud of your team, those who played those who haven't played, every member, staff, content team, everybody it's a good team effort. 'I think the magnitude of what we have achieved we will feel in the next few days when we go and see Bengaluru go crazy tomorrow,' he said. 'Everyone contributing, it was proper team effort. Everybody contributing in every department. Those away wins were the special things we ticked off, something that other teams haven't done before. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | How much prize money did RCB win after their maiden title win? 'Getting in top 2 and then finish the job, so much to be proud of and also all the challenges we overcame. Think about the disruption when everybody went home, when he called back everyone got back together. Restart, injuries all those things have challenged us to come together,' he added. Bobat thanked all the players, support staff and team management for their combined effort in this wonderful journey. 'I want to thank all the players, those who haven't played as well. As coaches we had a clear picture how we want to play our cricket and we were committed to that fully. 'Some extraordinary commitments, Salty (Phil Salt) unbelievable you were. For you to do what you have done in the last few days after coming back in, top stuff mate we appreciate that. Hoff (Hazzlewood) as well,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Rajat (Patidar) well done as captain. We didn't even need to win the toss today. Quick thank you for the staff, coaches, you have really worked hard especially science and medicine staff. 'Opps (Operations team) and logistics guys well done, content team. It was a real team effort. Andy (Flower) I wanna thank you, you have proven again why the best head coach you are.'
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First Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Sunil Gavaskar says toning down 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' slogan helped RCB win first IPL title
Sunil Gavaskar believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning their first IPL title in 2025 had as much to do with a shift in mindset, toning down the overconfident 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' chant. read more India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar feels the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shifting focus from just winning the trophy to playing good cricket helped him clinch their first Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy . He said that their popular slogan 'Ee sala cup named (This year, the cup will be ours)' had become a jinx, but they won their maiden IPL trophy in a season when the slogan was toned down. RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday to win their first trophy in 18 years. It was also Virat Kohli's first IPL trophy. He has played for RCB in all 18 seasons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gavaskar: 'Ee sala cup namde' slogan had become a jinx While talking to India Today, Gavaskar analysed that 'Ee sala cup namde' slogan was always in people's face but it was toned down this year and that has worked in RCB's favour as they were able to concentrate on playing good cricket. 'This was the one year when that popular slogan—'Ee sala cup namde'—was more muted than usual. It wasn't in everyone's face like before, and maybe that helped. It almost felt like that slogan had become a bit of a jinx, and once it was toned down, things worked out,' Gavaskar told India Today. Also Read | PBKS' strength turns into weakness as RCB brutally expose their batting in IPL final It's very clear RCB benefited by focusing on pure cricket rather than other aspects. They have had nine different players of the match award winners, which shows the IPL title win has been a terrific team effort. Also Read | IPL 2025 Award Winners List: Orange Cap, Purple Cap, Emerging Player and others winners Gavaskar also highlighted RCB's ability to stay calm in tense moments and win the big matches like Qualifier 1 and the IPL final. 'Congratulations to RCB—they've played top-class cricket throughout the IPL. Especially their last 2–3 performances were outstanding: chasing 230+ against LSG, demolishing Punjab in Qualifier 1 in just 14 overs, and then keeping their nerve in the final despite being 15–20 runs short of a par score,' he added.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Business
- First Post
From perennial underachievers to champions: How RCB shed their old identity to win their first IPL title
When you fail to win a trophy for 17 years, there's a drastic need to lose yourself and reinvent. RCB did exactly that in 2025 to finally clinch their maiden IPL title. read more RCB's IPL 2025 victory wasn't just a result of good cricket but good off-field planning and execution as well. Images: Reuters/AP For years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) epitomised batting extravagance. With luminaries such as Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers lighting up the line-up, they dazzled fans and dominated highlight reels — almost always with the bat. But for all the thunderous sixes and 200-plus totals, one thing persistently eluded them — the (Indian Premier League) IPL trophy. Their Achilles' heel was painfully familiar — a bowling unit that, more often than not, crumbled when the stakes were highest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2025, the narrative changed. This season, RCB's bowlers — long cast as supporting actors — stepped forward to become the architects of their long-awaited triumph. They weren't merely reliable; they were resounding. A franchise that had spent 17 seasons attempting to bat its way to silverware finally bowled its way there. Also Read | PBKS' strength turns into weakness as RCB brutally expose their batting in IPL final Across 15 matches in IPL 2025, RCB's attack claimed 94 wickets at an overall economy rate of 9.24 — the second-best in the competition behind Mumbai Indians' 8.89 — consistently denying opposition batters the rhythm they so desperately sought. In a tournament where run-scoring reached unprecedented heights, Bengaluru's bowlers stood apart for their discipline, depth and well-drilled plans tailored to opposition line-ups. How bowlers helped RCB win IPL 2025 Josh Hazlewood was the silent assassin — clinical, precise, unflappable. His 22 wickets in just 12 appearances came at an economy rate under nine. His spell in Qualifier 1 — 3 for 21 — was a masterclass in pressure bowling, removing Josh Inglis and Shreyas Iyer just as Punjab Kings seemed poised to launch. In the final, he struck early again, dismantling a dangerous PBKS opening stand and setting the tone inside the powerplay. Josh Hazlewood's 22 wickets played the most crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning the IPL 2025. Image: Reuters Then there was Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the seasoned campaigner in a young man's league. He may have taken 17 wickets in 14 games, but it was his economy, control and experience — particularly in the powerplay and death overs — that made him indispensable. In the final, his 17th over, where he dismissed Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis, helped swing the contest decisively. Also Read | IPL 2025 Award Winners List: Orange Cap, Purple Cap, Emerging Player and others winners Yash Dayal, once known for an infamous over in 2023, delivered a season of redemption built on cutters, control and character. He took 13 wickets in 15 matches, often operating in the middle overs, where he regularly throttled opposition momentum with tight lines and nerveless execution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Time and again Romario Shepherd played his part too, chipping in at key moments. His dismissal of the well-set Iyer in the final came just as Punjab threatened to turn the tide. Even Nuwan Thushara, who played just once — against Lucknow Super Giants — showed enough to suggest he could be a valuable asset going forward in the future. Also Read | How much prize money did RCB win after their maiden title win? Spin, too, proved vital. Krunal Pandya, in his maiden season for RCB, emerged as their standout slow bowler. While he was brought in more for his experience than flamboyance, his value quickly became apparent. His spell in the final — 4-0-17-2 — stifled the chase and earned him the Player of the Match award. Yet his impact stretched across the campaign. From the season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Krunal consistently applied pressure in the middle overs. He finished with 17 wickets at an economy of 8.23 — a testament to his reliability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Krunal Pandya bowled the match-winning spell in the IPL 2025 final. Image: Reuters Then there was Suyash Sharma — RCB's tactical wildcard from the mega auction. Primarily deployed against right-heavy line-ups, Suyash collected eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.84. Considering RCB played seven matches at the Chinnaswamy — a notorious graveyard for bowlers — those numbers were particularly impressive. He wasn't just about wickets; he disrupted rhythm, delivering short spells that turned matches on their heads. Also Read | Full list of Indian Premier League winners following Bengaluru's historic triumph in Ahmedabad What made RCB's bowling unit special wasn't just individual brilliance but the collective synergy. Different players stepped up on different nights, yet the system held firm — a rare phenomenon in a format so often shaped by chaos. RCB rewarded for proactiveness and clarity In previous years, RCB's gameplans often appeared reactive, even haphazard. This year, they were proactive, composed and methodical — especially with the ball. For once, the team's identity wasn't built on batting fireworks but on bowling clarity and cohesion. In a league addicted to six-hitting and scoreboard carnage, RCB reminded everyone that T20 glory can still be fashioned at 135 kph, with a scrambled seam or a subtle change of pace. Seventeen years of heartbreak, three lost finals, countless memes — all laid to rest not with a last-ball six, but with a pair of dot balls from Hazlewood in the final over, followed by fireworks that lit up the Bengaluru sky. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bat made them beloved. But in 2025, the ball made them champions.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
'One who plays badly stays behind': Virender Sehwag singles out Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera while discussing Punjab Kings' defeat
Discussing Punjab Kings' defeat in the IPL 2025 final, legendary cricketer Virender Sehwag singled out the knocks of Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera as the key reason. read more Legendary Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag did not mince his words as he singled out Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera for Punjab Kings' (PBKS) narrow defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final on Tuesday. The IPL 2025 points table leader, PBKS, agonisingly fell short by just six runs in the 191-run chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as their top-order failed to fire at the biggest stage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | PBKS' strength turns into weakness as RCB brutally expose their batting in IPL final On a slightly slowish track, RCB did well to post 190 despite most of their batters failing to convert the starts into a fifty. Virat Kohli was the top run-getter with 43 while Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma scored in the 20s. PBKS faced the same issue as openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh scored 24 and 26 respectively, while Inglis made 39 and Wadhera struggled big time with a knock of 15 off 18 balls. Shreyas Iyer got out for 1. Also Read | IPL 2025 Award Winners List: Orange Cap, Purple Cap, Emerging Player and others winners While the Punjab openers did not stay in the middle for long, they set the foundation, but Inglis and the middle-order failed to capitalise. The 30-year-old Australian Inglis scored an attacking 39 off 23 but paid the price for playing one too many shots, while uncapped Indian batter Wadhera struggled to get going in the middle, which took away the momentum from PBKS. Also Read | Full list of Indian Premier League winners following Bengaluru's historic triumph in Ahmedabad Shashank Singh hit 61 not out off 30 balls from the No.6 slot, but the acceleration came very late as RCB won their maiden IPL title. Sehwag slams Inglis, underlines Wadhera's struggles under IPL final pressure Sehwag pointed out that someone from the top three needed to score a match-winning knock for PBSK to win the IPL final and he felt Inglis was the batter who should have done that. He also highlighted how the pressure of a final match made Wadhera completely ineffective in the chase. 'Every RCB batter got starts, but no one played a big innings. The same happened with PBKS,' Sehwag told Cricbuzz. 'If Inglis had scored 60-70, then the job was done. If what Shashank did at the end had been done earlier by Inglis, then there would have been no slowdown. He would not have been out and somebody from the other end would have also played, runs would have come, the pressure would not have come. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The pressure comes when you lose wickets. Your hands start shaking, thinking if I get out. That's why you are not able to connect. That's why Nehal Wadera made 15 off 18 balls. If only he had made 26 off 18 balls, PBKS could have won. This is the pressure of the final, the pressure created by the fall of wickets. The one who plays well in such pressure blossoms and the one who plays badly stays behind. Maybe it was his first final, he doesn't have experience, first time such a situation came. It's different to bat in this situation in a normal match than in the final. I think that was what they lacked.' Sehwag also felt that a few runs from the openers could have also completed the job for PBKS. 'If they had at least one batter from the top three (playing good). The start wasn't poor, they scored 52 in powerplay, which was eight less than 60. If only they had got those eight runs at the start, then they would not have been required to chase that eight runs at the end.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
