The IPL landscape is buzzing as Ravichandran Ashwin tips Royal Challengers Bengaluru to repeat their success in upcoming seasons. After lifting the IPL 2025 trophy, RCB’s auction rebuild has the legendary off-spinner hailing it as a ‘balanced masterpiece’ capable of sustained excellence.
Ashwin, speaking candidly on his popular YouTube show, dissected RCB’s strategy. ‘With this squad, they’re geared for at least one more IPL crown in the next two years,’ he predicted. The key, according to him, lies in their smart auction picks that provide options across batting, bowling, and all-round roles—something RCB lacked in the past.
Post their IPL 2025 retention of core stars like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, RCB went on a buying spree, snapping up explosive opener Phil Salt, wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma, pace ace Josh Hazlewood, finisher Tim David, and veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This overhaul has shifted the narrative from inconsistency to reliability.
Addressing Hazlewood’s injury woes that rule him out initially, Ashwin remained optimistic: ‘RCB’s depth means they adapt without missing a beat. Where they were once criticized for imbalance, now every department has backups.’ He credits this evolution for their potential to thrive under pressure.
As RCB prepares for their IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, Ashwin’s vote of confidence underscores a franchise finally hitting its stride. The road ahead looks promising for the Bengaluru brigade.