Former India pacer Varun Aaron believes star Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter will not only bring his A-game with the bat but will also pick a battle with an opposition player or bowler in the upcoming exciting IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3 against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Since the inaugural season in 2008, both RCB and PBKS have been part of the league but have never lifted the trophy. Tuesday’s clash will confirm that one of the two franchises will finally break their trophy drought and register their name in the history books.
Meanwhile, Kohli has had another sensational season with the bat, hammering 614 runs in 14 matches at an average of 55.81 and a strike rate of 146.53. Notably, he has smashed eight fifties so far, and each has resulted in an RCB win. The former bowler pointed out the batter’s frame of mind going into the summit clash.
“What Kohli does really well is pick a battle. The way he zones in and the way he cues in, especially in big games, he just picks a battle and gets completely focused and consumed in that battle, and that’s what Virat Kohli is going to do tomorrow. He’s going to pick a bowler. He’s going to go after him,” he said as quoted by India Today.
Interestingly, PBKS have managed to keep Kohli quiet this season, conceding only one half-century to him in their three games. Aaron also mentioned that this mindset helps Kohli stay switched on in high-pressure games. The former pacer said that Kohli uses such rivalries to his advantage.
“You’re going to see him come hard on the field as well and try to pick a battle with somebody, and he consumes himself in that battle, and that’s how he gets going and that’s how he wins big finals,” he added.
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Josh Hazelwood has been their lucky charm: Varun Aaron
RCB cruised into the IPL 2025 final with a solid performance in Qualifier 1 against PBKS. However, the Shreyas Iyer-led team took the longer route and made a sensational comeback in the Qualifier 2 against the Mumbai Indians.
The pacer also spoke about Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood’s impact on RCB’s campaign. The pacer, who has never lost a final in his career, has taken 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.80 and an economy of 8.30 this season.
“I mean there’s a lot of symbolism this year for RCB. They won a game at the Chepauk after so long. They have done incredible things this year. And Hazlewood has been their lucky charm—not just a lucky charm, somebody who’s really performed well and he knows what to bring to the finals,” said Aaron
