After the recent match No. 65 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), former cricketer and broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar made a mathematical observation about achieving success in the game’s shortest format.
RCB came into the game determined to win and move closer to a top-two finish. However, SRH’s Ishan Kishan’s undefeated 94-run knock and Eshan Malinga’s outstanding performance propelled the Orange Army to victory. Despite a good start from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, RCB struggled in the closing overs, scoring only 189 and losing by 42 runs.
With that setback, RCB dropped from second to third place in the points table, jeopardising their hopes of finishing in the top two.
Sanjay Manjrekar emphasised that it was more than just this match; it was about a steady trend in the game’s shortest format.
He stated that for a team to be consistently successful, they must have numerous match winners rather than relying on just one or two heroes.
“To be a consistent T20 squad, you need multiple heroes, not just one or two. Let’s see how many different players have won Player of the Year honours for the four playoff teams. GT (5), RCB (7), PBKS (5), MI (7) “Hmm,” he remarked in a post on X.
To be a consistent T20 team you need many heroes not one or two. Let’s have a look at how many different players have been POTM for the 4 playoff teams.
GT – 5
RCB – 7
PBKS – 5
MI – 7
Hmm…
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 24, 2025
Meanwhile, RCB’s performance exemplified what happens when one or two people shoulder the majority of the responsibilities. After a great powerplay led by Kohli and Salt, the Bengaluru-based team was unable to end the game as they had hoped. In the death overs, the side crumbled, scoring only 22 runs to SRH’s 63.
Pacer Eshan Malinga organised the mini-collapse, removing Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya, resulting in figures of 2/37. Notably, his quick fielding skills allowed him to run out RCB’s chosen skipper, Rajat Patidar.
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