Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu recently shared his thoughts on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title win in 2025.
Ambati Rayudu pointed out that while RCB’s victory was a huge achievement, winning five championships is a much tougher task, something only the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings have managed so far. Ambati Rayudu made it clear that his remarks were meant to be lighthearted and friendly banter.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Historic 2025 Campaign
Led by Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their long wait for a trophy in 2025. Virat Kohli was the star with the bat, scoring 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71. He notched up eight half-centuries during the season. In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood played a crucial role, finishing as the team’s top wicket-taker with 22 scalps in 12 matches. His best figures were 4/33.
Ambati Rayudu’s Predictions for IPL 2026
During a conversation on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube podcast, Ambati Rayudu shared his predictions for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. He picked the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as his favorites for the title and even predicted a final between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“If we look at the teams now, I think MI or KKR could win. Top four, I think MI, RCB, CSK, KKR. I think it could be an MI RCB final, and MI will win. I am not leaving RCB because they need to realize how difficult it is to win five titles,” he said on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast.
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Rayudu also praised the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for their recent success and expressed happiness for the team.
“It is just good banter. I was happy when they won, I wish them all the best, I think they are on the right path and playing unlike RCB,” Rayudu added.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished second in the league stage and booked their place in the final after winning the first qualifier. In the summit clash at Ahmedabad, they defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs to clinch their maiden IPL trophy.
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Ambati Rayudu’s Successful IPL Career
Ambati Rayudu himself had a decorated IPL career, winning the title six times, three with the Mumbai Indians and three with the Chennai Super Kings. He began his journey with the Mumbai Indians in 2010, where he played 136 matches and scored 2,635 runs, including 14 half-centuries.
In 2018, he moved to the Chennai Super Kings and went on to play 90 matches over six seasons, scoring 1,932 runs. Rayudu retired after helping Chennai Super Kings secure the 2023 IPL title.
Overall, he featured in 204 IPL matches, amassing 4,348 runs at an average of 28.23 with a strike rate of 127.54. He is one of only two players in IPL history to win the tournament six times.
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