Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) advanced to the Indian Premier League (IPL) Finals for the fourth time, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 in New Chandigarh on Thursday, May 29.

The Rajat Patidar-led team bowled out PBKS for 101 in 14.1 overs, with Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma each taking three wickets. In response, Phil Salt hit an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls to enable his team cruise home in 10 overs with eight wickets in hand. Suyash earned his first Player of the Match award while playing for RCB.

After RCB’s sweeping victory, former India cricketer Varun Aaron stated that different players stepping up at different periods throughout the season were critical to their success.

The cricketer-turned-expert pointed out that, unlike previous seasons, in which Virat Kohli and a few other batters did the most of the scoring, IPL 2025 has seen Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal, and others produce key hits under duress.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to credit it to eight players being named man of the match all season. Because RCB has always been controlled by a few guys, I believe a few large batters did the most of the work. But there was always speculation about who, after Virat Kohli, is the highest (Indian) run-scorer. Until last year, it was Rahul Dravid. “This year, that has changed,” Aaron explained.

“Phil Salt has stepped in and played a major role. Devdutt Padikkal contributed significantly in the first half. Now you have someone like Jitesh Sharma standing up. Rajat Patidar is looking excellent, even after not scoring many runs in the previous game. So there are signs, and then Tim David comes in and performs well. Romario Shepherd, what an inning. So, if you think about it, there are so many occasions from RCB that immediately spring to mind where, you know, everybody chipped in at different times, when they were down and out,” Aaron continued.

This season, the Bengaluru-based team has depended on Krunal Pandya and Suyash to provide spin. While the former has won a few games with his deceptive bowling, the latter stood out on Thursday.

Aaron stated that while the Bengaluru-based side does not have the strongest spin-bowling assault in the IPL, the Krunal-Suyash tandem has surpassed the other spinners.

“You know what? RCB does not have the best spin assault, but its spinners have performed better than anyone else. “It’s just a story of guys stepping up more than they have in the past,” the former pacer explained.