Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes said that not just Virat Kohli’s individual brilliance, but the team’s collective effort propelled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Rhodes indicated to not following much of the IPL since he avoids watching the television at home. However, he appreciated Krunal Pandya for striking timely dismissals and linked RCB’s win to that of the overall healthy state of Indian cricket, with new stars emerging at regular intervals.
“Well, I must confess, we don’t have a television at home. We are a very outdoor family. Whether we’re in Goa or Cape Town — no TV. So if I follow something, it’s usually on my phone. But yes, amazing season. After 18 years, RCB finally winning, and it’s Virat Kohli’s number too. It just seemed destined to be. Not just for Kohli though — Krunal Pandya, who I have worked with at LSG, played a crucial role. He may not take 3-4 wickets, but he restricted the Punjab batters really well,” Rhodes said, as Krunal was named the Player of the Match in the summit clash for his impeccable spell where he took two wickets and conceded just 17 runs in four overs.
Rhodes also indicated that the broader conversations must also take into context the inputs of other players, with several domestic stars such as Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Suyash Sharma, and Mayank Agarwal playing instrumental roles in different junctures of the season to ensure the championship triumph for them.“It was a complete team performance. Everyone’s talking about Kohli, but it was a collective effort. And that’s why Indian cricket is in such a healthy state. Young players, unknown names, making their mark. That’s what makes the IPL so special,” he said.Rhodes has invested in and become the brand ambassador for UpUrFit, becoming directly involved in the company’s product development and overall mission.
