Aakash Chopra has expressed strong confidence in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), stating that they could emerge as title favorites once key players Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are back in the lineup for the playoffs. Hazlewood has been sidelined due to injury, having returned to Australia during a suspension period in the tournament. His focus has been on rehabilitation, and he is now set to join the team on May 29 for Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings.
In contrast, Tim David is still in question as he is recovering from a hamstring issue sustained against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite their absence, RCB managed a significant victory against Lucknow Super Giants, achieving an impressive chase of 228 runs in just 18.4 overs with six wickets to spare.
Chopra highlighted the historical achievement of RCB, noting that the franchise has made IPL history by winning all seven of their matches in a season—a feat never accomplished before. He emphasized that the team’s resilience has been remarkable, especially after bouncing back from earlier defeats to complete one of the highest run chases in IPL history.
With the return of Hazlewood and David, Chopra is optimistic that RCB will be in a strong position to contend for the championship title this season. Their recent success without these players has instilled a robust sense of confidence within the team as they head into the playoffs.
This optimism underscores the potential for a thrilling conclusion to the season for RCB, as they aim for their first championship trophy.