Both RCB and PBKS are gaining ground: Robin Uthappa

Following the 69th game of the season between the Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Robin Uthappa announced his picks to win the IPL 2025 championship. According to the 2014 IPL Orange Cap winner, he believed that RCB and PBKS were the favourites from the start and remained so as PBKS advanced to Qualifier 1.

According to Uthappa, RCB and PBKS are bowling well lately and have momentum on their side. Speaking for the RCB, he asserted that Virat Kohli must to anchor the run chases and bat long. According to the former RCB batsman, Virat’s decision to stay till the very end suggested that he would accelerate significantly in the final overs, applying pressure to the opposition.

“As I have stated since the beginning, I think Punjab and RCB will win. They’ve started bowling well and have momentum on their side. Virat Kohli must bat through the 20 overs and be the chase maestro that we know he is if they are to successfully end games. That puts more pressure on the opponent, particularly in the final overs,” Uthappa stated on Jiostar.

Josh Hazlewood’s return pleases me: Robin Uthappa

He said that the RCB bowlers needed to step up and that Josh Hazlewood’s comeback may benefit Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In contrast to his period against SRH, he believed Suyash Sharma needed to be disciplined. Krunal has been bowling brilliantly for RCB in the IPL 2025, he said.

“The bowlers must step up as well. Josh Hazlewood’s return is welcome, as it will benefit Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar). In the final overs, Yash Dayal has performed admirably. Suyash struggled in the previous game, but he will be productive once more if he regains his discipline at the beginning of the IPL. Additionally, Uthappa mentioned that Krunal Pandya has been bowling brilliantly.

In the 70th and final league stage match of the IPL 2025, RCB will take against the Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium. If they win, they will play Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, and if they lose, they will play MI in the Eliminator.