IPL break has disrupted RCB’s momentum and lineup stability: Aakash Chopra

Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) went for a break when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was on form, second at the league points table. After some tense days between India and Pakistan, both nations agreed to a ceasefire; thus, BCCI found a scope to reschedule the remaining IPL 2025.

RCB will restart their campaign on Saturday, May 17, against Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champion. As per the latest performances and stats, Rajat Patidar's led team needs only one win to confirm their playoff spot from their remaining three matches. There are high chances that the Bengaluru-based team entered into the next round as the best of the second-best team of the group stage, which will help them to play in the Qualifier 1 match.

But, according to Aakash Chopra, former India opener and now cricket expert, things can fold a little tricky for Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to the revised schedule. Chopra, from his official YouTube channel, has explained why RCB may feel discomfort in the later part of the group stage, as they have to play their last match on an away fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

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"RCB were supposed to play their last game at home. That match was against KKR. Now that's not the case. They will play their home matches first now, and their last match will be against Lucknow in Lucknow. If you see it from that point of view, they are hard done by," Chopra said in his video. 

Aakash showed the other side of the coin

Along with the disadvantage, the cricket expert also explored the side of the possibilities, which may go in favor of RCB. Royal Challengers Bengaluru was showing tremendously when they travelled away from their home ground, winning all of their away fixtures so far in IPL 2025, and their last match versus LSG is also an away contest.

So Chopra said, "However, I am saying they have benefited. They don't play very well at home in any case, and they haven't yet lost away. They have won all six. More importantly, they are playing the league's last game. The last league game is RCB vs. LSG."

RCB’s league stage schedule for remainder of IPL 2025:

RCB vs KKR, Bengaluru - May 17th, Saturday

RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru - May 23rd, Friday

LSG vs RCB, Lucknow - May 27th, Tuesday

Watch the video here: