Mumbai: Eoin Morgan, JioStar Expert for TATA IPL 2025, addressed the media ahead of the Southern Derby between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, as the teams race toward the TATA IPL play-offs. He discussed RCB’s form heading into the playoffs, CSK’s squad choices, the enduring intensity of Virat Kohli, and the rise of India’s Gen Bold stars in TATA IPL 2025.
JioStar expert Eoin Morgan speaks about Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s performance this TATA IPL Season:
“I think RCB has done a lot of things right. One of the things I’ve really enjoyed watching this year is Phil Salt at the top of the order, along with Virat Kohli — the way they’ve gone about their business. I know Phil has missed out recently, and Jacob has come in, but the aggression they showed at the top allowed them to carry the same mentality through the middle order. It’s not always about the volume of runs, but how they’ve built momentum, especially away from home, and then returned to Chinnaswamy to get their first win. Their bowling has also been impressive, particularly Josh Hazlewood.. One of the best Test bowlers in the world applying himself in T20 cricket — like he did for CSK in 2021 — shows how he’s become a brilliant multi-format player. If you’re an RCB fan, you have a lot to cheer about — especially with the kind of cricket they’re playing heading into the playoffs.”
Morgan also shared his perspective on Sam Curran not being fully utilised by Chennai Super Kings during this TATA IPL season:
“Sam Curran played well against Punjab Kings. I’ve captained him before — he’s always been a very versatile cricketer. He shows a lot of fight and has far more power than people think, especially with the bat. I think his selection this season has been based on conditions. CSK have rotated players, possibly in response to the surfaces they expected. MS Dhoni said it was one of the best batting tracks they’ve played on at Chepauk — so that may have influenced Sam’s inclusion. On slower wickets, they’ve opted for Jamie Overton over him in a few games — possibly believing Jamie would be more effective in those conditions.”
Morgan reflected on Virat Kohli’s unwavering intensity and hunger across 18 seasons of the TATA IPL:
“In 2010, Virat was a young, aspiring talent trying to fulfil his potential. The senior players around him then were legends — Jacques Kallis, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Dale Steyn, Mark Boucher, Kevin Pietersen — the names were endless. What hasn’t changed over all these years is the hunger, desire, and intensity he brings to every game. Maintaining that intensity and channelling it in the right way is what makes him the player he is. Watching him turn up time and again, and seeing how much he visibly wants to win for his team — it’s great entertainment, and great sport.”
Morgan applauded the exposure given to the GEN BOLD players and India’s emerging stars:
“I absolutely love it. It’s been one of the standout features of the IPL for a long time. It catapults players who may have only played some state or underage cricket into the living rooms of fans across the country. These days, you don’t even need to have played state cricket — it could be schools or regional cricket — and that pathway to stardom still exists. With the rise of T20 leagues globally, it’s clear that domestic cricket can now feature stars just as big as those in international teams. The IPL continues to offer massive opportunities for young players to make their mark early in their careers.”
