Just when you thought the IPL couldn’t turn up the drama one more notch, David Warner has dropped a spicy prediction that blew up social media. In the lead-up to the MI vs GT Qualifier 2, the former SRH skipper and IPL champion supported Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to finally win the trophy in 2025. But Warner didn’t stop there. He also selected Josh Hazlewood to be Player of the Match in the final. That is a full-circle moment from the kingpin who eliminated RCB in a final years ago, and no one saw that coming.
Warner’s Prediction: Just Banter or a Cricketing Gut Feeling?
The cricketing brain of David Warner is no joke. He has played cricket in every corner of this world, he has captained to victories, and he knows the pressure cooker that is the IPL better than a lot of us. So, when he jumps into an X (formerly Twitter) Q&A and confidently states, “I think RCB and Josh Hazlewood man of the match,” people will listen.
This isn’t just any old hot take. RCB is a franchise that copes with abuse for its ‘cup-less’ cabinet despite having some of the game’s greats – Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, etc., over the years. It’s been since 2016 that they reached the final, and spoiler alert – Warner’s SRH denied them yet another title that year. So, to see Warner jump ship and openly support RCB publicly? With Warner’s cheeky personality and passion, and understanding for the game, perhaps it is one or the other, or perhaps it’s a little of both.
Josh Hazlewood: The Quiet Assassin in RCB’s Final March
Now, let’s turn our attention to Hazlewood. When RCB picked him up for ₹12.5 crore in the mega auction at the end of last year, there were doubts as to whether he would be worth that amount – mainly because he was injured for a handful of matches because of a shoulder niggle. Hazlewood has a remarkable 21 wickets in 11 matches, including 3/21 (in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings), so you could say he has been a revelation.
Even cricket analyst Aakash Chopra couldn’t stop praising him, noting that a fast bowler coming back from injury playing so well is rare. Hazlewood hasn’t only established discipline in RCB’s bowling, but he has also brought belief. And if Warner was right, there’s every chance Hazlewood will again be the X-factor in the final.
Read Also: RCB’s Road to Redemption: Can They Still Snag a Top 2 Spot in IPL 2025?
RCB’s Redemption Arc: Is 2025 Finally the Year?
When it comes to heartbreak in the IPL, no team has experienced it more than RCB. Three finals, no trophies. But this season feels… different. The top order is clicking, the middle order finally seems stable, and with Hazlewood spearheading the pace attack, the bowling unit has some sting.
Their emphatic eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 was not just a win; it was a statement. They will wait for the winner of MI vs GT in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—a venue that is quickly becoming the new temple of IPL finals. With the momentum favoring them and Kohli as hungry as ever, RCB fans could dare to dream again.
But hey, this is the IPL; we have seen stranger things. Was Warner’s prediction correct, or will fate have another say in RCB’s future? One thing for sure is that Ahmedabad is going to be the Centre of attraction this June 3.
So, cricket fans — do you think Warner is right this time, or just playing with fans’ emotions before the finale? Let us know your thoughts!
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