Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have kicked off the IPL 2025 season with a bang, securing a historic 50-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk. This triumph marks RCB’s second consecutive away win and their first victory in Chennai since 2008, setting a strong tone for the season.
Legendary South African cricketer and former RCB stalwart, AB de Villiers, has praised the team’s squad balance, describing it as ‘10 times better‘ than in previous years. On his podcast ‘AB de Villiers 360‘, he highlighted the importance of squad depth over reliance on individual brilliance.
‘The balance of the RCB squad is 10 times better compared to previous seasons,’ de Villiers stated. He specifically pointed out the inclusion of Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the CSK clash as a testament to RCB’s newfound depth. ‘I saw Bhuvi and thought, ‘he wasn’t going to play, and now he’s in.’ That’s what you want. You want guys where you go, ‘wow, is this guy the replacement?’ He wasn’t in the first game against KKR, and now they bring in Bhuvi Kumar in the second. That’s the kind of balance and depth you need.’
Kumar’s impact was immediate and significant, dismissing Deepak Hooda early and reducing CSK to a precarious 26/3 in the Power Play. This early pressure ultimately restricted CSK to 146/8 while chasing RCB’s formidable total of 197.
De Villiers was particularly impressed by RCB’s back-to-back away victories against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and CSK at Chepauk, positioning them at the top of the table with two wins and a strong net run rate.
Beyond the on-field performances, de Villiers suggested that constant travel might actually benefit RCB, helping maintain team chemistry. ‘Traveling all the time can sometimes bring a squad together more than staying at home, where players might split up and do their own thing,’ he observed.
Additionally, de Villiers identified missed catches of Rajat Patidar, who scored a crucial 51 off 32 balls, as a turning point in the match. He commended Patidar’s ability to handle pressure while filling in for Virat Kohli‘s crucial role in the batting lineup.
With their best start in years, RCB appear to have found a winning formula — a balanced squad capable of adapting and excelling in any condition.