Ravichandran Ashwin warns MI will destroy everything and crush RCB's IPL 2025 title dream

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into the IPL 2025 finals after crushing Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in Qualifier 1, Ravichandran Ashwin named the one team that could crush their title hopes, and that is the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians.

After a dominant win over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is now just one step away from their historic first IPL trophy. However, Ashwin warned Rajat Patidar and his team against the five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians.

Ravichandran Ashwin says RCB should pray MI don’t reach the IPL 2025 Final

The former India off-spinner, who turned out for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this season, believes that RCB’s biggest threat is the Mumbai Indians. Ashwin boldly said that RCB and its fans should secretly pray that the Gujarat Titans beat the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.

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Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’: “If RCB has to win the IPL, then Gujarat Titans should win against Mumbai Indians. MI is one team that you cannot allow to enter the final; you have to stop them at any cost.”

Notably, the Hardik Pandya-led MI is set to face Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator on June 30 in Chandigarh, and if they beat the 2022 champions, they will face PBKS in Qualifier 2 on June 1. And if Mumbai manages to outclass Punjab, there could be a blockbuster IPL 2025 final between MI and RCB.

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If I were RCB, I would want to face Gujarat Titans: Ravichandran Ashwin

Given that prospect, Ashwin has warned that if Mumbai makes it to the final, they could shatter RCB’s dream of winning the maiden IPL title. The former Indian all-rounder said that MI is the only team that can stop the Bengaluru franchise from lifting the silverware on June 3.

Ashwin added, “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 is going the distance, but it is cricket; anything can happen. If I were RCB, my best finalist team would be Gujarat Titans. If I were RCB, I would want to face Gujarat Titans.”

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the stars are aligning for Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru to finally lift their first IPL trophy.

Ravichandran Ashwin says Virat Kohli and RCB are destined for IPL glory this season

Ashwin has pointed out that Kohli, who was once trolled for not having an ICC title, has now won both the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

He feels this is RCB's year, and if a big chase is on the cards in the IPL 2025 final, Kohli will once again rise to the occasion, just like he always does when it matters most on the big stage.

He signed off by saying, “I don't want to make it about Virat Kohli, but I cannot help but feel that this is RCB's year. Is he going to win the first-ever title for RCB in the 18th season? Virat Kohli will stand up on the big day. If they are in a chase, he knows how to handle those situations.”

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