In the 42nd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
RR won the toss and asked RCB to bat first. The Challengers got off to a solid start, with openers Virat Kohli (70) and Phil Salt (26) establishing the tone in the powerplay. Following Salt’s removal, Devdutt Padikkal (50) joined Kohli, and the two formed a smooth 95-run partnership for the second wicket. Kohli maintained his excellent form, hitting eight fours and two sixes, while Padikkal added four boundaries and three maximums of his own. Just when RCB appeared to be on track for a 220+ total, Rajasthan Royals fought back with a succession of tight overs and important wickets in the end. The slowdown resulted in RCB finishing at 205/5, a score that seemed 15-20 runs short of what looked attainable.
In the chase, the visitors got off to a blazing start, owing to Yashasvi Jaiswal (49) and a quick 16 from Vaibhav Suryavanshi. While Suryavanshi fell early, Jaiswal controlled the powerplay but fell short of a well-deserved half-century by one run. The standout performer was Dhruv Jurel (47), who delivered a ferocious knock, hitting three fours and three sixes, and appeared to take RR to victory. However, his wicket in the penultimate over reversed the trend. With 17 runs needed off the final six balls, RR fell short and failed to cross the finish line.
While defending, Josh Hazlewood was at his supreme best as he bagged four wickets. Not just this, Hazlewood had an excellent penultimate over, which cost RR two points. Krunal Pandya also scalped two wickets, while one wicket each was also taken by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal.
For RR with the ball, Sandeep Sharma bagged two wickets, while one wicket each was also taken by Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Hazlewood was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling show. With this win, RCB are third in the points tally with 12 points.
Scorecard:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 205/5, Overs 20, Virat Kohli 70, Sandeep Sharma 2/45
Rajasthan Royals: 194/9, Overs 20, Yashasvi Jaiswal 49, Josh Hazlewood 4/33