Mohammad Kaif Backs Virat Kohli and RCB to End IPL Title Drought in 2025
NEW DELHI: The elusive IPL title has long been a missing piece in Virat Kohli’s illustrious cricketing puzzle, but former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes 2025 could finally be the year for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Speaking exclusively to IANS, Kaif lauded RCB’s newfound balance and their potent bowling attack, suggesting they are better positioned than ever to claim their maiden Indian Premier League trophy.
RCB has had a remarkable turnaround this season, climbing to second on the points table with 16 points from their matches. With just one more win needed to secure a playoff berth, the team looks poised for a deep run. At the heart of their campaign, as always, is Virat Kohli, who continues to dominate with the bat, amassing 505 runs and trailing only Suryakumar Yadav (510 runs) in the race for the Orange Cap.
Kaif emphasized the importance of RCB’s evolution into a more rounded unit. “If we talk about RCB as a team, they have been absolutely fantastic. I stress the word ‘team’ because, historically, they’ve been a batting-heavy side,” he noted. “But this time, the bowlers have stepped up brilliantly. They’ve shown the knack for defending modest totals of 170-180, and credit must go to players like Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal for turning the tide.”
The former cricketer also highlighted how this renewed belief stems from their bowling prowess. “Kohli has been doing what he does best—scoring runs consistently—but it’s the bowlers who have instilled a winning mentality. In the IPL, the team with the best all-round balance often emerges victorious, and I firmly believe RCB can win it this year,” Kaif asserted.
Despite a glittering international career adorned with the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kohli has yet to lift the IPL trophy since his debut in 2008. A steadfast presence for RCB, he led them to the final in 2016 and remains the only player to surpass 8000 IPL runs, a testament to his longevity and brilliance. This season, with a formidable squad around him, including in-form batters like Rajat Patidar and a revitalized bowling lineup, the stars might finally align for Kohli and RCB.
As the IPL 2025 season heads into its decisive phase, all eyes will be on whether Kohli can lead RCB to glory and end the long wait for a title that has eluded one of cricket’s greatest-ever players. With Kaif’s ringing endorsement and a team firing on all cylinders, the dream of hoisting the IPL trophy in Bengaluru could soon become reality.