Mumbai: The Indian Premier League's 18 seasons have seen more lows than highs for both the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

They are in a group of three out of the original eight sides when IPL was launched in 2008, along with Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils), who have not yet held the winners' trophy in their hands.

But for these red teams, IPL 2025 is turning out to be a season to remember. They have increased their fans' hopes that the wait for a championship is almost over by putting up a string of outstanding performances. They are legitimate title contenders because they are facing off in Qualifier 1 on Thursday after finishing first in the league standings.

Although Punjab is counting on home advantage at the new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, RCB thrives when playing away from home. Having become the first team to complete an IPL group stage without losing a single game on the road, this is where RCB has been at its most lethal. Their road warrior moniker is well-deserved, as Tuesday's victory against LSG in Lucknow was RCB's seventh away victory of the current campaign.

In the past, they frequently put together squads that seemed like winners but turned out to be deceivers. What, therefore, has changed for RCB and PBKS this time?

Choosing the appropriate leadership team for the franchises to begin with. The decision to give Rajat Patidar the captaincy of RCB and the reunification of PBKS under coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer have been excellent.

Next comes the correct balance. In contrast to individual brilliance, various players raise their hands at different points throughout the game to establish and conclude games.

Jitesh Sharma of RCB showed that in Tuesday's outstanding batting. Jitesh had not accomplished much this season, with the exception of a few cameos, one of which was a 19-ball 40* against the Mumbai Indians. However, the stand-in captain performed in the final league match to make sure his team had the momentum going into the big game against PBKS. With 33 balls, he scored 85* to complete the third-best IPL chase ever.

Following the victory, Jitesh stated, "We have a strong belief system. We have match-winners. Look at our playing XI, we have match-winners."

Unlike their previous sides, RCB this time has all of its bases covered. Previously, they only had a few notable players, and they mostly relied on the top three of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Virat Kohli, with the help of a strange teammate. Their middle-order and bowling were formerly questionable. It would be enough for them to click and go to the playoffs, but they weren't always consistent. Now, the team's leadership has altered their auction approach. They have chosen skilled players, not celebrities, like Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh, and Yash Dayal.

With 247 runs in 10 games, Kohli and Phil Salt form a strong opening pair in the batting lineup. Tim David, Krunal Pandya, and Jitesh add depth. Josh Hazlewood (18 wickets) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (14 wickets) are talented swing bowlers, while Dayal (10 wickets), a left-arm seamer, has clicked as a unit with Krunal (15 wickets), who has excelled as the spin weapon.

Most people questioned whether Patidar, a soft-spoken player, could manage the high-profile position when he was appointed captain. Kohli's backing was essential. With a blockbuster season of 602 runs, eight half-centuries, and a strike rate of 147.91, Kohli has carried the batting, so Patidar could not have asked for more. Kohli has been instrumental in the historic run on the road with six half-centuries in away games.

Patidar has been a revelation as a leader. When it is most difficult to dictate the tempo against spinners, he provides RCB with the advantage in the middle overs. He has 271 runs in 12 innings (SR 140.41).

Tim David has given RCB the advantage in the previous game (187 runs, SR 185.15), while Jitesh completed the game. He is playing the same role that Kieron Pollard did for MI during their rule from 2013 to 2020. Against Chennai Super Kings, David contributed to completing games that had seemed beyond RCB's reach, including an 8-ball 22* and a 20-ball 37* against Delhi Capitals, as well as a five-ball 19*.

PBKS's DOMESTIC POWER

Ponting's choices at the auction table have paid off handsomely as he went all out for Iyer and built the nucleus with several unexpected local players. With 514 runs (Avg 51.40, SR 171.90), Iyer has set the example by being their best run scorer. “I feel that every individual stepped up at the right time,” Iyer stated in his post-match interview on Monday.

PBKS's confidence in a young, mostly Indian batting lineup has proven to be well-founded. With Prabhsimran Singh (499 runs, average 35.64, SR 165.78, four 50s) and Priyansh Arya (424 runs, average 30.29, SR 183.54, one century and fifty each), who form a potent combination, PBKS has reaped the reward of the experiment of not picking two uncapped Indians at the top of the order, which IPL clubs seldom do. The explosive Shashank Singh (284 runs, avg 56.80, SR 149.47) has been incredibly consistent as a finisher, while the southpaw Nehal Wadhera (298 runs, average 35, SR 152.04) has delivered in the middle order.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has led the attack with 18 wickets, combining well with South African Marco Jansen (16 wickets); leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (14) has made his presence felt, and left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar has been outstanding when given the opportunity, taking 10 wickets in seven games.

Read Also: Shardul Thakur Shares Candid Thoughts on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Retirement Decisions

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!