The IPL 2025 winners have enjoyed a remarkable campaign, finishing at the top of the league table before hammering Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 to secure direct entry into the final. They will now face the Titans once again at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where GT have built a formidable record this season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While acknowledging Gujarat\u2019s advantage of playing at home, Ashwin feels RCB\u2019s performances throughout the tournament have made them the team to beat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe fact that GT are playing at their home ground, and that they\u2019ve dominated there and made it a fortress, is something that\u2019s really going to give them that extra fillip going into the final,\u201d Ashwin told Jio Hotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cFor RCB, it doesn\u2019t matter whether they bat or bowl first; it is their final to lose. They are going in as the favourites. Whatever they do, they must not regress or play any less attacking cricket than they have throughout the season,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gujarat recovered strongly from their Qualifier 1 defeat by overcoming Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to book a place in the final. Led by Shubman Gill, they have been one of the most consistent teams of the season and will enjoy strong crowd support in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Ashwin pointed to the contrasting styles of the two finalists and backed RCB\u2019s aggressive approach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe two teams have very contrasting approaches. RCB have been willing to take that extra risk. They have a team with a few fighters in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, who have turned up the heat this season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ashwin believes only Gujarat\u2019s familiarity with home conditions stands between Bengaluru and a successful title defence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe two teams have very contrasting approaches. RCB have been willing to take that extra risk. They have a team with a few fighters in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, who have turned up the heat this season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
RCB are aiming to become only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the title, while the Gujarat Titans are chasing their second championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n