RCB managed an 11-run win thanks to 70 from Kohli and 4/33 from Hazlewood.
Jurel’s hard-hitting authority and Jaiswal’s blazing 49 were in complete vain, for RCB successfully defended the 205 on them when RR went seeking.
New Delhi: In Match 42 of the IPL 2025, RCB defeated RR by just 11 runs in an entertaining encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This last shower solidified Rajasthan’s steady decline. The match saw Josh Hazlewood being rewarded with the Player of the Match trophy for his outstanding bowling performance and pivotal performance in the match.
RCB’s Power Show with the Bat
RCB chose to bat first on a track that was very good for batting and helped themselves on the comfortable surfaces to finally set a target of 205 for 5 in 20 overs. Virat Kohli held this inning through a special yet sensible knock of 70 runs in 42 balls that included eight boundaries and two sixes. Kohli’s timing was impeccable, and he managed his innings beautifully, keeping the middle overs together while allowing others to accelerate.
He had fine company at the other end from young Devdutt Padikkal, who continued his good spell of form with a brisk 50 off only 27 deliveries, with 4 fours and 3 sixes. Their 86-run partnership laid the perfect platform for RCB’s innings.
RCB also got useful cameos from Phil Salt (26 off 18) early on and a late flurry by Tim David (23 off 12) and Jitesh Sharma (20 off 10), taking the team past the psychological 200-run barrier, leaving Rajasthan Royals reeling.
RR’s Chase Falls Short
With an aggressive target of 206 in sight, Rajasthan Royals began the innings in an attacking style, thanks to left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who ripped apart the RCB bowling lineup with a gem of an innings. He battered his way to 49 in just 19 balls, played 7 fours and 3 sixes, and left the RCB team on tenterhooks in the powerplay.
But once Jaiswal was dismissed a run short of a well-earned fifty, the Royals lost traction. While Dhruv Jurel kept the fight going with a resolute 47 off 34 deliveries, the rest of middle order failed to seize the moment, getting dismantled by RCB’s disciplined attack line-up.
Hazlewood’s Match-Winning Spell
The real game-changer arrived in the guise of Josh Hazlewood, who turned the game on its head with two wickets in the 14th over, removing the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell. He returned to clean up the tail later, ending with stellar figures of 4/33 and securing the game for RCB in the final over.
RCB bowlers exhibited steel nerves in the death overs, with Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley complementing Hazlewood well by tight bowling and mounting pressure. Rajasthan Royals fell short at 194/9 despite a good beginning and a late flourish.
Match Highlights:
RCB emerged victorious by 11 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood—4 wickets for 33 runs in 4 overs.
RCB Innings – 205/5 (20 overs)
Virat Kohli was the top scorer, hitting 70 off 42 balls (8 fours and 2 sixes).
Devdutt Padikkal smashed a frenetic 50 off 27 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes).
Late cameos by:
Tim David—23 off 12 balls
Jitesh Sharma—20 off 10 balls
RR’s bowlers were lost at sea, none of them getting more than 1 wicket.
RR Innings – 194/9 (20 overs)
Yashasvi Jaiswal thrashed to 49 off just 19 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes).
Dhruv Jurel’s steady 47 from 34 balls kept the Royals in the match.
Josh Hazlewood turned the game on its head with a 4-wicket haul.
RR collapsed in the middle overs and couldn’t finish the chase.
Turning Points
RR got off to a fast start with an explosive powerplay from Jaiswal
Hazlewood’s double blow in the 14th over altered momentum.
RCB’s death bowling was tight when most required.
Strategic Implications
The win takes RCB at the top of the IPL 2025 table, further tightening their grip on playoffs. The evenly balanced team effort, with great batting and stinging bowling, indicates their rising momentum in the tournament. RR, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address their middle-order vulnerability in order to compete in the league.
In a contest which mirrored the edge-of-seat randomness of T20 cricket, the combination of RCB’s seasoned campaign and fledgling pizzazz in the end turned out to be decisive. By every IPL 2025 league stage day passing by, those games have captivated onlookers as much and even buttressed the IPL’s international relevance.
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