In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs, registering their first win at the Chinnaswamy this season.
RCB vs RR: RCB secured a resounding victory in a captivating match against Rajasthan Royals. Batting first, RCB posted a substantial score of 205/5 in 20 overs. In reply, Rajasthan managed only 194/9, falling short by 11 runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for Rajasthan with 49 runs, but his efforts proved insufficient. Rajat Patidar's RCB team emerged victorious.
Magnificent Innings by Virat and Padikkal
After losing the toss, Royal Challengers Bangalore amassed a commanding 205/5 in their 20 overs. This was their highest score of the season, largely due to captain Virat Kohli and young batsman Devdutt Padikkal. Kohli played a stunning innings of 70 runs off 42 balls.
His knock included 8 fours and 2 sixes, marking his 60th IPL half-century. Padikkal provided explosive support with a quickfire 50 off 27 balls, forming a crucial 95-run partnership with Kohli for the second wicket. Phil Salt also contributed a useful 26, while Jitesh Sharma's unbeaten 20 propelled the team past 200. For Rajasthan, Sandeep Sharma took two wickets, while Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga claimed one each.
Rajasthan's Faltering Start
Chasing a challenging 206, Rajasthan Royals began aggressively. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi added 52 runs for the first wicket. Jaiswal's intent was clear from the outset, smashing a six off the very first ball. Jaiswal scored a rapid 49 off 19 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes.
He missed a half-century by just one run, falling to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Suryavanshi contributed 14 before returning to the pavilion. Nitish Rana and Ryan Parag attempted to steady the innings, but were dismissed cheaply by Krunal Pandya. Rana scored 28 and Parag 22. Dhruv Jurel fought valiantly, scoring 47, but couldn't steer his team to victory. Late wickets tumbled, leaving Rajasthan stranded at 194.
Hazlewood's Fiery Spell
Josh Hazlewood played a pivotal role in RCB's victory. He delivered a devastating spell of 4/28 in four overs, dismantling Rajasthan's batting order. Krunal Pandya also took two wickets, restricting the opposition's scoring. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal claimed a wicket each.
Hazlewood's pace and bounce wreaked havoc on Rajasthan's middle order. He notably dismissed Dhruv Jurel and Shubham Dube in the same over, sealing RCB's win.
First Chinnaswamy Win, RCB Rises to Top 3
This victory marked Bangalore's first win at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this season, having lost their previous three matches there. RCB now has 12 points from 6 wins in 9 matches, with a net run rate of +0.482, placing them third on the points table. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, slipping to eighth position with a net run rate of -0.625, raising concerns about their playoff chances.
Match Highlights
- Virat Kohli's 60th IPL half-century, his fifth of the season.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal's explosive start with a six off the first ball of the first over.
- Hazlewood's lethal spell, claiming four crucial wickets.
- Dhruv Jurel's fighting 47-run knock, but ultimately in vain.
- RCB's first win at Chinnaswamy, bringing relief to the home fans.
RCB will approach their next match with renewed confidence, aiming to secure a playoff berth. Virat Kohli's form is a positive sign, while Hazlewood's performance poses a significant threat to opposing teams.
