As Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) prepares to face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Lucknow on May 23, a venue shift due to weather.
Similar game nodes draws us back to the 2016 IPL Final, where RCB’s title dreams shattered in a heart-wrenching 8-run loss.
9 years later, with playoff qualification secured, RCB returns to face their old rivals, hoping to chase their first Trophy.
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RCB’s "What If" Moment
The 2016 IPL Final at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remains etched in RCB’s DNA as a defining chapter of promise and despair.
Led by Virat Kohli, RCB entered as overwhelming favorites, boasting a lineup stacked with legends like Chris Gayle (76 off 35 balls) and AB de Villiers.
Yet, SRH’s clinical execution exposed RCB’s fatal flaws: over-reliance on star power and a fragile middle order.
Dominance and Collapse
Gayle’s Opening Onslaught
Gayle’s 76 off 35 balls – including five sixes – and a 114-run opening stand with Kohli (54 off 35 balls) set the stage for a historic chase.
His strike rate of 217.14 was a masterclass in power-hitting.
Middle-Order Collapse
But the tide turned quickly after Gayle’s dismissal. AB de Villiers (5 off 9), KL Rahul (11 off 12), and Shane Watson (11 off 9) faltered under pressure, unable to counter SRH’s clinical death bowling.
What once looked like a straightforward chase turned into a slow-burning collapse.
Watson’s Dual Failure
Shane Watson had a rare off-day — conceding 61 runs in 4 overs, including 24 in the final over, and failing to deliver with the bat.
Ben Cutting’s unbeaten 39 off 15 balls, including a ferocious final over, proved decisive in SRH’s 208/7 total.
Match Summary
|
Team |
Score |
Overs |
|---|---|---|
|
SRH |
208/7 |
20 |
|
RCB |
200/7 |
20 |
SRH's innings was anchored by captain David Warner's explosive 69 off 38 balls.
Ben Cutting provided a late surge with an unbeaten 39 from 15 deliveries, propelling SRH to a formidable total.
RCB's chase started strong, with Chris Gayle scoring 76 and Virat Kohli adding 54.
However, the middle order faltered under pressure, and the team fell just short of the target.
Read More: RCB’s 2011 IPL Final Defeat Sparked Their Golden Era? Still Debate
2025: The Rematch in Lucknow
Fast forward to 2025. With a playoff spot clinched, RCB now eyes a top-two finish.
The May 23 faceoff against SRH at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium is more than just another league match — it’s a symbolic opportunity to bury the ghosts of 2016.
A New-Look to RCB
Unlike the 2016 squad that relied heavily on Kohli and Gayle, the 2025 RCB team boasts a more balanced batting lineup. New additions like Tim David and Liam Livingstone offer firepower in the middle and lower order, reducing the pressure on Kohli.
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Kohli 2.0: At 35, Kohli continues to shine with 385 runs this season at an average of 48.12. His mature anchoring approach complements the aggressive strokeplay of younger teammates.
Bowling Evolution
One of RCB’s biggest downfalls in 2016 was their inability to defend totals. That’s no longer the case.
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Josh Hazlewood: 16 wickets with deadly accuracy in the death overs.
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Krunal Pandya: 14 wickets and pivotal in controlling the middle overs.
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Suyash Sharma & Karn Sharma: A lethal spin duo with 18 combined wickets on turning tracks.
RCB’s improved bowling has allowed them to win even on lower-scoring pitches — a crucial development as they head to spin-friendly Lucknow.
Tactical Flexibility
RCB’s adaptability has been a highlight this season. Lucknow's slower wicket presents a different challenge compared to Bangalore's batting paradise, but the squad is ready.
“It’s about adjusting to conditions without losing our intent,” Kohli emphasized in a recent press conference.
SRH: The Spoiler Specialists
SunRisers Hyderabad may be out of playoff contention, but they remain a dangerous outfit — especially on slow surfaces.
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Spin Threat: Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Ahmed have been effective in Lucknow conditions.
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Recent Win at Ekana: SRH’s familiarity with the venue gives them a subtle edge.
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Underdog Advantage: With no pressure, expect SRH’s young guns like Kamindu Mendis and Simarjeet Singh to play with freedom.
But with RCB posting 213/5 recently against CSK — on a similar surface — they’ve shown their adaptability and firepower.
Read More: Track How RCB’s Cricket Logo Evolved- Royal Roots to City Identity
2016 vs 2025: What’s Changed?
|
Aspect |
2016 IPL Final |
2025 Match Preview |
|
Venue |
Bangalore (flat, high-scoring) |
Lucknow (slow, spin-friendly) |
|
RCB’s Weakness |
Over-reliance on Gayle/Kohli; middle-order collapse |
Balanced batting; improved bowling depth |
|
RCB’s Strategy |
All-out aggression |
Adaptable, patient approach |
|
Mental Pressure |
Home crowd pressure |
Neutral venue; focus on execution |
2025 Prediction- RCB’s Recovery Plan
RCB’s balanced squad and tactical adjustments make them favorites. Here’s why:
Kohli’s Leadership: Kohli’s ability to anchor innings and rally the team – evident in his 62nd IPL fifty against CSK – provides stability.
Spin Mastery: RCB’s spin duo of Suyash Sharma and Karn Sharma have combined for 18 wickets, exploiting slow pitches. Their battle with SRH’s Mayank Agarwal (weak against leg-spin) could be decisive.
Death Bowling: Hazlewood’s yorkers and Mohammed Siraj’s pace have conceded just 7.8 runs per over in the final four overs, a vast improvement from 2016’s 12.1.
Prediction: RCB wins by 10–15 runs, securing a top-two finish.
Read More: Inside IPL RCB Team: How a Team Without a Title Captivated Millions
RCB: Still the Uncrowned Kings?
RCB’s story is cricket’s ultimate underdog narrative. The 2016 IPL Final was a low point, but 2025’s squad embodies growth: balanced, adaptable, and hungry.
As they take the field in Lucknow, they carry a decade’s hopes – a reminder that in cricket, as in life, the journey matters as much as the destination.
Also Read: IPL 2025: RCB vs SRH moved out of Bengaluru due to heavy rainfall, Lucknow new venue
