Who would RCB hope to face in the IPL 2025 Final? Not MI, says Ashwin

There are many ways to enter the IPL final. Hustling your way through hard-fought qualifiers or surviving your do-or-die chance in an Eliminator. However, none are as promising as what Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off in Mullanpur in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. Neither RCB nor PBKS have had a go at the IPL trophy in the 18-year-long history of the league. Yet, the 8-wicket victory of Bengaluru against Shreyas Iyer and Co. has projected RCB as the favorites for the IPL 2025 trophy. The form that RCB, especially the bowling line-up, put forth in the playoff game seems like it's only luck that could hinder the course ahead for the fan favorites. However, the team would still look to bank on every aspect, and Ravi Ashwin believes that avoiding Mumbai Indians in the final would be the biggest boost for RCB.

Only Mumbai Indians can beat RCB in the IPL 2025 final, says Ravi Ashwin

Despite some sloppy outings in the last few seasons, Mumbai Indians are etched as the joint-most successful team in the IPL with five trophies. The team, led by Hardik Pandya now, maintained a six-match winning streak at the group stage to fight their way into the IPL 2025 playoffs. However, with 16 points in 14 matches, MI ended up in the fourth spot to qualify for the IPL 2025 Eliminator. Meanwhile, RCB overcame LSG in the last group stage match to book the spot in Qualifier 1 against PBKS. Bengaluru's win in the RCB vs LSG game, meanwhile, pushed Gujarat Titans into the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians.

The most thrilling part of the league, the playoffs, started with a one-sided battle in Mullanpur. RCB gave no chance to Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. Batting first after losing the toss, PBKS bundled out for a paltry 101 against the lethal RCB bowling attack, headlined by Josh Hazlewood. It took only 10 overs for Rajat Patidar's team to chase down the total and book their spot in the IPL 2025 final. Now, RCB has the task of observing the rest of the playoff matches and finding out their opponents for the title clash. Meanwhile, former Indian spinner and CSK star, Ravi Ashwin, has weighed in on the ideal opponent for RCB in the final, and it's not Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians need to go through a tough road ahead to reach the IPL 2025 final. If they manage to beat Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator, MI will come across Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2. Meanwhile, according to Ashwin, RCB would hope for either GT or PBKS to beat MI before they get to them in the title clash. The seasoned spinner is of the opinion that if any team could challenge RCB, it's MI. So, it's better for RCB's maiden title-win chances for GT to win the IPL 2025 Eliminator.

“If RCB have to win the IPL, then Gujarat Titans should win against Mumbai Indians. MI are one team that you cannot allow to enter the final, you have to stop them at any cost,” Ashwin said. “RCB will keep their fingers crossed to not have Mumbai Indians in the final. Mumbai Indians is the only team that has some chance against RCB. It looks like RCB are going the distance, but it is cricket; anything can happen. If I were RCB, my best finalist team would be Gujarat Titans. If I was RCB, I would want to face Gujarat Titans,” he added.