NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed optimism about Virat Kohli’s long-awaited IPL triumph, suggesting that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are better placed than ever to win their maiden title in 2025. Speaking to IANS, Kaif praised the team’s balanced approach this season and highlighted the crucial role of bowlers in RCB’s resurgence.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!RCB currently sits second on the points table with 16 points and needs just one more victory to seal their place in the playoffs. Kohli is again among the top scorers this season, tallying 505 runs — just behind leader Suryakumar Yadav’s 510.Who’s that IPL player?“If we talk about RCB as a team, they have been fantastic. I am emphasising the word ‘team’ because they have always been a batting-heavy team,” Kaif said. “But this time Rajat Patidar has done a fantastic job of using his bowlers, restricting opponents while defending 170-180.”Kaif credited the bowlers for instilling belief in the squad. “Kohli has continued doing what he does best… but the bowlers have given them the belief that they can win. The team with the best all-round side usually has the best chance, so I do believe they can win it this year.”
Despite his glittering international resume — World Cup 2011, Champions Trophies in 2013 and 2025, and the T20 World Cup in 2024 — an IPL trophy has eluded Kohli. Since his debut in 2008, he has remained RCB’s constant, leading them to the 2016 final and becoming the only player to surpass 8000 IPL runs.
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