Aakash Chopra discussed Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on May 29 in Mullanpur. Chopra analysed the match and RCB’s performance, which advanced them to the IPL 2025 final. The former Indian batsman commended Josh Hazlewood for performing at his peak despite returning from injury.
Chopra was impressed with Hazlewood’s ability to quickly find his rhythm and go after two of the top PBKS batsmen, Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis.
Chopra said that the PBKS captain could not play the RCB bowler and that Inglis’ wicket had a negative impact on the home side’s middle order.
“Josh Hazlewood arrived, and what a trajectory this guy has. He does not stop. He had arrived following an injury. When you return from an injury and play your first match, you may feel a little nervous. He answered, ‘Forget that; I’ll do it. He removed Shreyas Iyer for the fourth time. Shreyas Iyer is unable to play against him, and he has not stopped there. Following that, Josh Inglis. “I thought those were the two biggest wickets in the middle order, and it was all over,” Aakash Chopra wrote on his YouTube channel.
There is a danger that they will get stuck there. Aakash Chopra
He then opened up on RCB’s spin bowling assault, claiming that it is still a minor weakness on paper. The popular commentator believes that RCB does not have an upgrade for Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya, and that they may get stranded if things do not go their way.
“What were the team’s weaknesses? If you asked me to preview this team again, I would still say there is a minor vulnerability in spin bowling, and there is no upgrade in spin in the shape of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, and there is a risk of them getting trapped there,” added Aakash Chopra.
However, he applauded the two for their efforts during the current season. Chopra mentioned that Krunal Pandya won RCB’s victory against Delhi Capitals, while Suyash arrived to the party when it meant most in the major match against Punjab Kings. He said that Suyash’s googly spins more, whilst his leg spins less.
Chopra observed that Sharma took the wickets of Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, and Musheer Khan, changing the course of the game. The former KKR batter argued that RCB had a lot of bases covered and deserved to get to the final after defeating PBKS.
“Krunal Pandya had already won two Player of the Match honours, and now Suyash Sharma has bowled within three stumps. His googly turns more. The leg spins less. He took three wickets, and they belonged to Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, and Musheer Khan, who came in as an impact player,” Chopra said.