In a thrilling encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by nine wickets in Match 28 of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season on April 13. RCB chased down a target of 174 runs with ease, completing the run-chase in just 17.3 overs.
The match kicked off with RR batting first after losing the toss. Openers Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a steady start, accumulating 45 runs during the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted when Samson fell to Krunal Pandya, leaving RR at 45 for 1. Jaiswal, who was in fine form, continued to anchor the innings. He brought up his fifty off just 35 balls and eventually scored a brilliant 75 runs off 47 balls, showcasing his talent with a mix of aggressive strokes and calculated shots.
Riyan Parag joined Jaiswal at the crease, and the duo formed a crucial 56-run partnership off 39 balls, helping RR to stabilize their innings after the early loss of Samson. Unfortunately, Parag's innings came to an end when he was dismissed by Yash Dayal, leaving RR at 101 for 2. Jaiswal continued to find boundaries before he was dismissed at the end of the 16th over, leaving Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel to finish the innings. Despite some late fireworks, RR managed to post a total of 173 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.
In response, RCB's chase was spearheaded by openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, who set the tone early. The pair put together a blistering 92-run partnership, with Salt being the aggressor. He scored a quickfire 65 runs off just 33 balls, hitting boundaries with ease. His innings came to an end when Kumar Kartikeya, RR's Impact Player, dismissed him, giving RR a glimmer of hope.
However, RCB's momentum remained unshaken as Kohli continued to build on the solid foundation laid by Salt. Kohli reached his fifty with a six, marking his 100th half-century in T20 cricket, a significant milestone in his illustrious career. Joining him was Devdutt Padikkal, who replaced Suyash Sharma as RCB's Impact Player. Padikkal played a crucial role in maintaining the run rate, contributing an unbeaten 40 runs off 28 balls.
RCB's batting was characterized by smart running between the wickets and timely boundaries, which kept the asking rate well within reach. The team crossed the finish line comfortably, finishing at 175 for 1 in 17.3 overs, sealing a convincing victory.
Post-match, Kumar Kartikeya reflected on his performance, stating, "It was a tough match, but I am happy to contribute with the ball, even though we lost. We need to regroup and come back stronger in the next game." Meanwhile, Virat Kohli expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of building partnerships and executing plans effectively.
This victory for RCB marks their fourth win of the season, bringing their record to 4 wins and 2 losses in the tournament so far. Meanwhile, RR's struggles continue as they have now lost three out of their last five matches, leaving them with a record of 2 wins and 3 losses.
Looking ahead, Rajasthan Royals will aim to bounce back as they prepare to face the Delhi Capitals next at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. The team will need to reassess their strategy and make necessary adjustments to ensure they can turn their fortunes around in the upcoming matches.
As for RCB, the team will look to maintain their winning momentum and build on this victory as they aim for a strong finish in the league stage. With star players like Kohli and Salt in form, the future looks promising for the Challengers.
