Team India leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi spoke about Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden title victory in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Bishnoi picked spinner Krunal Pandya over Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and others as the one who changed the game with his outstanding performance.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their long wait for an IPL crown. They beat the Punjab Kings by six runs in the 2025 final at Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli had featured in every one of the franchise’s 18 seasons. Rajat Patidar’s side defended a target of 191, following Krunal Pandya’s match-winning bowling spell.
The left-arm spinner picked up the key wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis while conceding only 17 runs in his four overs. Krunal secured the Player of the Match award in the summit clash.
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Krunal Pandya Was the Game-Changer in IPL 2025 Final – Ravi Bishnoi
Speaking on the Game Changers podcast (released on August 31), Ravi Bishnoi said Krunal Pandya was the game-changer in the IPL 2025 final. He mentioned that Pandya’s four-over spell completely shifted the momentum in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s favor.
“The way KP [Krunal Pandya] Bhai bowled that day [IPL 2025 final], for me, he was the game-changer. He turned the whole game in his four overs,” Ravi Bishnoi said.
“His biggest strength is his confidence and awareness of the game. I feel he can almost predict what the batsman is going to do. That ability is rare — to not just focus on your own plan, but to understand what the batsman is thinking and then execute accordingly.”
“At times, you even saw his surprise with a bouncer. He’s really good at that. Honestly, he is underrated, but there’s no doubt he has been bowling remarkably well, not just this season, but for many years now.”
Very Few Players Can Hit a Six Off the First Ball – Ravi Bishnoi on Jitesh Sharma
Ravi Bishnoi said that Jitesh Sharma has a rare ability to clear the ropes from the very first ball. He mentioned that Jitesh has been training hard alongside Dinesh Karthik in Bengaluru. Bishnoi also noted that the batter has now expanded his game to a 360-degree range.
“Very few players can hit a six off the very first ball, but Jitesh is right at the top in that regard. It’s not easy, yet he has the talent, and he’s proven it this season — even against us,” Bishnoi stated.
“He has worked very hard this year, spending time with DK in Bangalore, and the credit goes to him. Earlier, he would mostly hit straight or in certain areas, but now he’s playing 360°, finding boundaries everywhere. The game evolves, and so has he.”
Jitesh Sharma Signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹11 Crore
Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed Jitesh Sharma for ₹11 crore after outbidding Punjab Kings’ Right-to-Match option. The wicketkeeper-batter excelled in the finisher’s role, playing several quick-fire knocks.
As stand-in captain, he smashed 85* off just 33 balls against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to secure a top-two finish for RCB. He also contributed 24 from 10 balls in the final against the Punjab Kings.
Jitesh had managed only 187 runs in 12 matches at an average of 17 last season. However, he secured a spot in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, which is set to commence on September 9. He and Sanju Samson will compete for the wicketkeeper-batter role in the playing XI.
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