March 23, 2025: Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has praised Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their dominant performance in the opening game of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In a discussion on JioHotstar, Hayden expressed optimism about RCB’s prospects for the season, highlighting the team’s well-balanced setup and key players.
He commended Rajat Patidar, who led the team to victory in his first match as captain, stating that it was a significant and crucial win for him. Hayden also praised Virat Kohli, noting that the star batsman’s good form was a huge boost to the team’s chances. Kohli’s contribution with the bat was invaluable in securing the victory.
RCB’s bowling attack also caught Hayden’s attention, with particular mention of Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood. He highlighted Pandya’s effectiveness in the middle overs and Hazlewood’s consistency, calling both bowlers crucial to the team’s success. Hayden acknowledged their contributions as pivotal to RCB’s solid performance.
For the first time in a long while, Hayden expressed his belief that RCB may have found the right balance between experienced players and youthful energy. He suggested that the team looked particularly promising this season, setting high expectations for their future matches.
Overall, Hayden’s analysis painted a picture of a well-rounded, competitive team in IPL 2025, one that could go far with the right combination of leadership, form, and skill.