RCB’s Path to IPL Glory
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has expressed his confidence that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will retain their Indian Premier League (IPL) title in a commanding manner. This belief is reminiscent of how Peshawar Zalmi dominated the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).
RCB currently sit at the top of the table with 18 points from 14 matches, positioning them as strong contenders for the title. The team, led by Rajat Patidar, is aiming to become only the third side in IPL history to successfully defend their crown. So far, this feat has been achieved by the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
Ali believes that RCB will easily progress to the final in Ahmedabad by defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT). He also highlighted that the Sunrisers Hyderabad are the only team capable of challenging RCB, but they must first overcome the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.
“RCB will do exactly what Peshawar Zalmi did—straightforward domination. If anyone can challenge RCB, it is Sunrisers Hyderabad. Otherwise, no one else has a chance,” Basit Ali said on the ‘Game Plan’ podcast.
Expert Opinion on RCB’s Strength
Kamran Akmal, another former Pakistan wicketkeeper, has also backed RCB to win Qualifier 1 and reach the final in Ahmedabad on May 31. He emphasized the strength of RCB’s batting lineup, particularly their top three batters—Shubman Gill, Sudarshan, and Jos Buttler.
“I feel RCB are very dangerous on that ground. Their top three batters—Shubman Gill, Sudarshan, and Jos Buttler—are very strong. RCB’s batting goes very deep till 7 or 8. Their bowling is also very strong. It will be a high-scoring match. I feel it will go beyond 200, maybe even 220–225,” Akmal said.
Peshawar Zalmi’s Dominance
Peshawar Zalmi showcased outstanding form throughout the entire 2026 PSL season. Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, the team suffered only one defeat and went on to claim their second PSL title and their first since 2017. Their performance was a clear indication of their ability to dominate in a competitive league.
RCB’s Performance in the League Phase
Despite being the defending champions, RCB have faced some challenges during the league phase. They have lost five matches, which is a notable number considering their status as title holders. However, they ended the round with the same number of points as the Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad, thanks to a much superior net run-rate.
This indicates that while RCB may not have been flawless, their consistency and ability to perform under pressure have kept them at the top of the table. With the right strategy and execution, they have the potential to replicate the success of Peshawar Zalmi and secure another IPL title.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on RCB to see if they can maintain their momentum and achieve what only a few teams have done before them. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether they can continue their dominance and make history once again.
