2025 IPL final

9 Finals, 9 wins: Josh Hazlewood’s unbeaten streak lives on | Cricket News

Danijones3 weeks ago03 mins

Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli(Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) When Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL trophy on a historic Tuesday night in Ahmedabad, one man silently extended a personal legacy—Josh Hazlewood, cricket’s ultimate “final boss.” With the 2025 IPL Final win, Hazlewood maintained his perfect record in major finals, winning 9 out of 9 – a feat unmatched in modern cricket.The calm and clinical Aussie pacer is no stranger to the biggest stages. From the U19 World Cup in 2010, where he was Player of the Final, to the 2025 IPL Final, Hazlewood has played a defining role in nearly every championship clash he’s entered:2010 U19 World Cup Final – Player of the Match with 4/30 vs Pakistan2012 CLT20 Final – Part of Sydney Sixers’ 10-wicket demolition of Highveld Lions2015 ODI World Cup Final – Took 2 wickets as Australia beat New Zealand2020 BBL Final – Won the title with Sydney Sixers IPL 2025 Final | Rishi Sunak Interview: ‘I am a big Virat Kohli fan… RCB is my team’ 2021 IPL Final (CSK) – Played a key role in Chennai’s triumph2021 T20 World Cup Final – 3/16 vs New Zealand in a clinical win2023 ODI World Cup Final – Helped Australia sink India in Ahmedabad2023 WTC Final – Part of the side that defeated India at The Oval2025 IPL Final (RCB) – Bowled a tight final over to seal a 6-run winQuiz: Who’s that IPL player?In the 2025 final, Hazlewood’s experience shone through as he gave RCB their first breakthrough and bowled the nerve-wracking final over, defending 29 runs. His second dot ball of the last over effectively ended Punjab Kings’ hopes, despite a late onslaught by Shashank Singh (61* off 30). RCB’s total of 190/9, anchored by Kohli’s gritty 43, proved just enough on a night driven by relentless bowling, sharp fielding, and raw emotion.Hazlewood, often unassuming in his celebrations, quietly stamped yet another page in cricketing folklore. Nine finals, nine wins – no defeats, no errors. In an era of pressure and unpredictability, he remains the cool-headed constant.

How history now favours RCB: Qualifier 1 winners have dominated IPL finals | Cricket News

Danijones3 weeks ago03 mins

RCB players during their Qualifier 1 match against PBKS. (IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have taken a decisive step towards ending their long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title, securing a place in the 2025 final after a dominant eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday. With the win, RCB not only advanced to their fourth IPL final — after previous runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016 — but also positioned themselves on the statistically favourable path to championship glory.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In the IPL’s current playoff format, introduced in 2011, teams finishing in the top two after the league stage get two chances to reach the final. And there’s a strong historical trend that favours the winner of Qualifier 1 – 11 of the 14 IPL titles since 2011 have been won by the team that advanced directly to the final through this route.Who’s that IPL player?Even more telling, all seven champions from 2018 to 2024 — including CSK (2018, 2021, 2023), MI (2019, 2020), GT (2022) and KKR (2024) — were winners of Qualifier 1. Poll Will RCB win their first IPL title in 2025? It’s a trend that puts RCB in an enviable position as they prepare for the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.Riding on Virat Kohli’s class and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, RCB have carried momentum and clarity into the playoffs. This extended break before the final gives them time to recover, strategise and sharpen their edge for the title bout. Josh Hazlewood – we picked up momentum from Jitesh’s knock in Lucknow Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday, with the winner facing PBKS in Qualifier 2. Whoever emerges from that battle will meet a well-rested RCB, who now not only hold form but also history firmly in their favour. Is 2025 finally RCB’s year? All signs are promising.