IPL 2025: Will we see a first-time champion? Can RCB win? Gilchrist and Bhattacharjya analyse

Cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist and expert Joy Bhattacharjya have recused themselves from picking the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the favourite to win the Indian Premier League (2025) title. RCB are in pole position to reach the IPL 2025 playoffs after winning eight out of 11 matches so far.

The Rajat Patidar-led Bengaluru are at the top of the IPL 2025 points table and the playoffs look almost confirmed. Virat Kohli is in top form at the same time, currently holding the Orange Cap with 505 runs as he looks to break the duck in the 18th season of the IPL.

RCB, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are the only three original teams that have not won a single IPL trophy so far, while Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is the other team in the league with zero title wins.

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LSG are struggling in IPL 2025 but RCB and PBKS hold the top two spots.

Considering the huge fan following the RCB commands, their winning the trophy would be great not only for the franchise but also for the sponsors and broadcasters. Even a win for PBKS or DC will live IPL a new storyline but can they seriously win the trophy? Will we have a first-time champion in IPL 2025?

Experts unsure IPL 2025 will have a first-time winner

Adam Gilchrist feels it’s difficult to predict at the moment, as any of the top three-four teams can clinch the title. “Punjab is the team I picked before the tournament. We were all sort of guessing. There are still a number of teams. The top 3 and 4 we and truly who would feel like there’s chances,” Gilchrist told Cricbuzz.

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Team Director Joy Bhattacharjya feels experience plays a massive role in winning the IPL title and that makes a team like Mumbai Indians (MI) or Knight Riders favourites to win the title, considering they reach the playoffs.

“I would like it to be a new team just because 18th year of the tournament, three teams have not won it. I would like them to get a bite of the cheery, but experience does count,” Bhattacharjya told Cricbuzz. “Especially a team like Mumbai, Kolkata, they are experienced teams, they are dangerous teams. This is unlike American sport, where you play six games and things sort out. It’s one game.

“It’s one day, Andre Russell hits a fifty, Suryakumar Yadav hits a hundred, any changes, Bumrah takes three wickets. That’s the point of it. All you can say is that over 14 matches, if you are consistent,t you will reach the top four. Once you are there, maybe you are good enough and reach the top two and give yourself the chance to reach the top two. But after that, so much depends on what you are on the day.”