Krunal Pandya said lifting trophies remains the single greatest driver of his cricket career after Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 1 June, defending their title and making RCB only the third franchise in IPL history to win back-to-back championships. For Pandya, it was a fifth IPL crown across an eleven-year journey in the league.

Pandya on What Drives Him

The left-arm spin bowling all-rounder had a strong all-round campaign, scoring 226 runs with the bat and claiming 14 wickets across the season. Speaking on JioHotstar after the final, Pandya reflected on the hierarchy of cricket's rewards.

'Winning trophies has always been my biggest motivation in cricket because there's no feeling quite like lifting a championship. Individual performances and match wins bring happiness, but winning a tournament is something truly special,' he said.

Pandya added that he had 'always visualised and manifested success at the team level' throughout his career, having previously won IPL titles with Mumbai Indians before moving to RCB. 'To win a fifth IPL trophy in eleven years is incredibly satisfying, and I'm grateful for the journey and the opportunities that have come my way,' he said.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Hails Young Bowlers

Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the standout bowler of the season, finishing with 28 wickets — one of the highest tallies in the tournament. Beyond his own numbers, Kumar spoke warmly about the emergence of younger bowlers in the RCB attack.

In the final, Rasikh Salam delivered a composed performance of 3 for 27, impressing with his line, length, and variations to be RCB's most effective bowler on the night.

'As a senior player, you naturally enjoy that responsibility more when you're contributing well yourself because confidence allows you to help others more effectively,' Kumar said. He was careful to direct credit toward the youngsters themselves, noting that 'their willingness to learn, their dedication, and the effort they put into improving are what ultimately make the difference.'

The Role of Experience and Mentorship

Kumar pointed to the influence of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood and the RCB coaching staff as key factors in the development of young bowlers. He also drew a direct line between Yash Dayal's breakout contributions last season and Rasikh Salam's step-up this year — suggesting a culture of sequential development within the bowling unit.

'Yash Dayal did an excellent job last season, and this year Rasikh stepped up and embraced that responsibility as well. Their growth has been a huge positive for the team,' he added.

RCB's Place in IPL History

The back-to-back title defence places RCB in rare company in the IPL era, joining only two other franchises to have achieved consecutive championships. This comes after years of near-misses that had defined the Bengaluru franchise's narrative. Notably, the title was clinched on the same ground — the Narendra Modi Stadium — that has hosted some of the tournament's most consequential finals.

With this triumph, the conversation around RCB's squad depth and bowling development will only intensify heading into next season's retention and auction cycle.