Because the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finds themselves at a crucial juncture. Regardless of being one of the fashionable and adopted franchises, RCB’s wait for his or her first-ever IPL title has now entered its 18th season. This 12 months, the group has undergone a number of adjustments, together with a brand new captain in Rajat Patidar, and a restructured squad geared toward breaking their long-standing trophy drought. Nonetheless, former RCB head coach Mike Hesson, who guided the group to a few playoff appearances between 2019 and 2023, has delivered a harsh actuality examine.
RCB’s lengthy quest for an IPL title
Ever because the first IPL season in 2008, RCB have been among the many hottest groups within the competitors however has not but lifted the much-coveted trophy. The group has performed 242 video games, with 117 victories, and stands because the fourth most profitable group within the IPL by way of wins. However whereas groups reminiscent of Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have gained titles in succession, RCB have at all times come quick.
Their finest years had been in 2011 and 2016 after they made the ultimate however received defeated by CSK and SRH, respectively. They topped the desk for less than seven seasons, whereas in 2017 and 2019, their worst seasons ended on the tail finish of the desk. Although they ended IPL 2024 on a excessive notice, profitable six matches in a row to safe a playoff spot, their season was halted within the Eliminator towards Rajasthan Royals (RR). RCB now, with Rajat Patidar as the brand new captain, will start their IPL 2025 marketing campaign towards defending champions KKR on March 22 at Eden Gardens.
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Mike Hesson’s grim prediction for IPL 2025
Hesson, who had a big position to play in RCB’s three playoff appearances between 2020 and 2022, examined the group’s batting depth and total steadiness within the squad earlier than sharing his prediction.
“So, in 2025, I have a look at the groups, on the strengths, and I have a look at the gaps which are in that group, possible extra so across the depth of it. As an alternative of hand on coronary heart, hand on head, I have a look at it and I genuinely can’t see RCB making a push for the playoffs, sadly, this 12 months. That’s simply observing the details and the depth of the opposite groups,” Hesson mentioned in his Youtube channel.
Hesson additional elaborated that whereas RCB has made some fascinating squad adjustments, they nonetheless have vital weaknesses that might damage them. He believes that different groups have stronger and extra balanced squads, making it tough for RCB to compete on the highest stage constantly. Hesson did say that he hoped that his forecast proved incorrect, with an admission that RCB additionally retains high quality gamers who would possibly properly show him incorrect.
“I’m contemplating whether or not they’re going to be a type of sixth or seventh or a fraction beneath by way of the ability of the opposite groups. That is going to be unpopular, I do know. However it’s from my mind, not my coronary heart. And I imagine RCB are going to finish this season ninth,” Hesson concluded.