Credit: X
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has backed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Challengers have the opportunity to beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 to enter the IPL finals for the fourth time in their 18-year league history. Bengaluru have put up an impressive show this season, ending their round-robin stage in the second spot with 19 points on the tournament’s points table. Josh Hazlewood, who has done a magnificent job for Bengaluru this season, will be expected to turn up against PBKS batters in the big game. Virat Kohli will also look to dominate bowlers to help his side reach the final directly.
Noting RCB’s performance and Kohli’s form in the season, the two-time IPL champion Watson has predicted Bengaluru the winner of the T20 event and Kohli the Player of the Match (POTM) in the final to be played in Ahmedabad on June 3. “The winner of IPL 2025, and I’ve been thinking long and hard about it, is RCB. And the Man of the Match for me is Virat Kohli, the great man. And here's the reason why. I just get a feeling that this is the time for RCB. They have had a few blips in the back end of the tournament, but with Josh Hazlewood coming back for the Playoffs, I get a feeling this is the year," said Watson in a clip posted through his X handle.
Shane Watson served RCB in 2016 and 2017
Watson, who played the cash-rich league from 2008 to 2020, was a part of RCB in 2016 and 2017 seasons. In both editions, the Aussie racked up only 250 runs and 25 wickets in 24 matches. In 2016, when RCB played their last IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Watson splurged 61 runs in his four-over spell, which became the match-changing moment.
The 43-year-old Australian has predicted that Virat Kohli will become the POTM in the upcoming final. Noting the 36-year-old’s form, the possibility can’t be ruled out as he is in magnificent touch with his bat this season. The right-handed batter is the highest run-scorer for his side, amassing 602 runs with eight fifties in 13 outings.
