Royal Challengers Bengaluru are just one step away from breaking their title drought, but fans are now nervous after an unexpected tweet from former RCB pacer Dale Steyn.
As emotions ran high after the team stormed into the IPL 2025 final, Steyn’s celebratory post declaring RCB as champions has sparked superstitious fears among supporters.
With the final yet to be played, many wonder if this bold statement might jinx Virat Kohli's long wait for IPL glory.
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IPL: How Dale Steyn sparked panic among RCB and Virat Kohli fans?
After RCB thrashed Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 with a dominant performance, Dale Steyn posted on social media, “Can you believe it?!?!?! RCB has won the IPL.”
While it may have seemed like a playful reaction to the team’s performance, the post was enough to send fans into a frenzy.
Steyn, who played for RCB across five IPL seasons, shares a deep connection with the franchise. Some fans believe his message was simply out of affection. Some took it as overconfidence, while others feared it might invite bad luck ahead of the final.
With RCB known for their near-misses in previous seasons, supporters have grown cautious about premature celebrations.
Can you believe it?!?!?!
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 30, 2025
RCB have won the IPL
Does history support Virat Kohli and RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 final?
Interestingly, the stats are on Bengaluru’s side this time. Since the current playoff format began in 2011, the winner of Qualifier 1 has gone on to win the IPL title in 11 out of 14 seasons.
Even more notably, the last seven champions, between 2018 and 2024, were all teams that won Qualifier 1.
RCB also broke a playoff record by winning the Qualifier with 60 balls to spare, the most dominant chase in IPL playoff history.
MORE: GT vs MI IPL 2025 Eliminator: Score & updates as MI bats first with Q2 spot on the line
RCB’s opponent in the IPL 2025 final will be decided after Qualifier 2. Punjab Kings will get another chance as they face the winner of the Eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. Whoever makes it through will be no easy task for Bengaluru.