NEW DELHI: In a thrilling encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their first home victory of IPL 2025, defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs on April 24. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with RCB's Josh Hazlewood delivering a stunning performance in the penultimate over to secure the win, officially knocking RR out of playoff contention.
With RR needing 18 runs from the last 12 balls, Hazlewood stepped up when it mattered most, conceding just one run while taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries. His remarkable bowling figures of 4 wickets for 33 runs not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
Despite a valiant effort from RR's Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a blistering 49 off just 19 balls, and Dhruv Jurel, who contributed a gritty 47 off 34, RR fell short, finishing their innings at 194 for 9. This defeat marked RR's seventh loss in nine matches, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the points table.
RCB's innings was anchored by star batsman Virat Kohli, who scored 70 runs off 42 balls, and Devdutt Padikkal, who added 50 runs off 27 balls. Their partnership of 95 runs for the second wicket was crucial in setting a challenging target of 206 for RR. Tim David and Jitesh Sharma also chipped in with valuable contributions, helping RCB post their highest total at home this season with 205 for 5.
The match began with RCB batting first after losing the toss, and they got off to a steady start. Phil Salt, who scored 26 runs, and Kohli provided a solid foundation despite a dropped catch by RR's Riyan Parag. Kohli's half-century came off just 32 balls, showcasing his elegant stroke play and ability to find the boundaries.
Padikkal joined the fray, hitting three sixes in one over off Tushar Deshpande, propelling RCB past the 200-run mark. The duo's dominance in the middle overs kept RCB's momentum alive, setting the stage for a competitive chase.
RR began their chase explosively, with Jaiswal and 14-year-old impact player Vaibhav Suryavanshi racing to 52 runs in under five overs. Jaiswal's aggressive batting included several boundaries, but his innings came to an end when Hazlewood dismissed him with a well-placed short delivery that was caught at mid-wicket.
As RR's innings progressed, the momentum shifted when Hazlewood struck again, dismissing Riyan Parag (22 off 10) and Nitish Rana (28 off 22) in quick succession. Shimron Hetmyer's wicket marked a pivotal moment as RCB seized control of the match.
Despite RR's explosive start, they faltered in the middle overs, struggling to maintain the required run rate. Hazlewood's exceptional performance, including 15 dot balls, effectively turned the tide in RCB's favor, leaving RR reeling.
RCB's victory not only boosted their position in the points table, moving them into third place, but also reignited their hopes for a playoff spot as they remain level on points with the top two teams, who lead on net run rate.
As the season progresses, RCB will look to build on this momentum, while RR must regroup and reassess their strategy after a disappointing outing that has seen them eliminated from playoff contention.
In conclusion, this match highlighted the importance of clutch performances in T20 cricket. Hazlewood's brilliance in the final overs and Kohli's steady batting were key factors in RCB's thrilling win, leaving fans at the edge of their seats until the very end.
