Has RCB's Aggressive Batting and Hazlewood's Form Set Them Up for Success in IPL 2025?

New Delhi, May 1 (NationPress) Former England captain Eoin Morgan asserts that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have significantly advanced their campaign in IPL 2025 thanks to their aggressive batting approach from the top order to the middle and the inclusion of star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood.

Currently, RCB leads the points table with 14 points, firmly in the race for the playoffs. Their upcoming match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have already been eliminated from the competition, presents an excellent opportunity for RCB to secure two more points in this southern derby clash on Saturday.

“I think they’ve executed many strategies effectively. What I particularly enjoy watching this year is Phil Salt (239 runs) at the top of the order and Virat Kohli (433 runs); their approach has been commendable,” Morgan stated.

“While Phil has missed out recently, and Jacob (Bethell) has stepped in for a couple of games (against the Delhi Capitals), the sheer aggression displayed at the top has enabled a similar mentality to continue in the middle order.”

“It's not merely about the volume of runs; they built momentum away from home and achieved their first win at Chinnaswamy. Additionally, their bowling has been impressive, particularly with Josh Hazlewood,” Morgan remarked during his virtual interaction with IANS on Thursday.

Hazlewood has been in exceptional form, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets in ten matches, boasting an average of 17.27 and an economy rate of 8.44. His standout performance in the closing overs, taking six wickets in the last four overs at an economy rate of 8.2, has been crucial for the team.

“There's a joke that he’s planted more trees in Bengaluru than most gardeners with all the deliveries he’s bowled. It's impressive to see one of the world's top Test bowlers adapting to become a formidable multi-format player, as he did previously with CSK during their successful 2021 campaign,” Morgan added.

“Things are looking promising. If you’re an RCB supporter, there’s much to be excited about, especially with the quality of cricket being played as they approach the playoffs,” Morgan concluded, reminiscing about his time with RCB back in 2010.

Another significant factor contributing to RCB's performance has been their savvy acquisition of experienced Indian players during last year's mega auction. Players like Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with the iconic Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar, have stepped up at critical moments to secure victories for RCB.

Morgan praised the role of these seasoned Indian players in RCB's success on the road, winning six out of six away matches compared to just one victory in four home games so far. “So far, it’s working, and the biggest surprise for me has been their adaptability on the road,” he noted.

“Achieving success away from home is not easy, especially since many IPL-winning teams have historically thrived on their home turf. Yet, this has been one of the most remarkable aspects of their performance,” Morgan emphasized.

“When you find yourself in a position like RCB’s, the first step is to capitalize on a good start. As we approach the halfway point, qualifying for the playoffs becomes crucial, and barring any major setbacks, they should achieve that,” he added.

“The next challenge is the playoffs, where the experience and investment in the team will be pivotal. The initial step is often the toughest—qualifying for the playoffs, followed by consistently delivering your skills in high-stakes matches,” he concluded.

Don’t miss the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Chennai Super Kings match at 7:30 PM on May 3, live and exclusively on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.