RCB vs RR – Thrilling Victory for RCB in Bengaluru
RCB vs RR
Last night, April 24, 2025, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was electric as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 42nd match of IPL 2025. In a nail-biting clash, RCB clinched an 11-run victory, marking their first home win of the season. Packed with explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and some jaw-dropping moments, this game had it all. Let’s dive into the highlights of this unforgettable match!
RCB vs RR: Toss and Early Decisions
The evening kicked off with RR’s stand-in captain, Riyan Parag, winning the toss and opting to bowl first. It was a bold move, given Chinnaswamy’s reputation for high-scoring games, but RR banked on their bowling attack to keep RCB in check. RCB captain Rajat Patidar, oozing confidence in his batting lineup, was ready to set a big target.
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RCB’s Explosive Batting Display
RCB’s innings started with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli opening the show. Salt got a lucky break in the second over when RR dropped a catch, and boy, did he make them pay! He went all guns blazing, setting a fiery pace in the powerplay. Though he fell short of a fifty, his aggressive knock gave RCB a dream start.
Virat Kohli, shrugging off his “chase master” tag, proved he’s just as lethal when batting first. He anchored the innings with a classy 70 off 42 balls, smashing eight fours and two sixes. Teaming up with Devdutt Padikkal, who chipped in with a stylish 50, Kohli steered RCB to a commanding total. By the end of 20 overs, RCB posted a daunting 205/5, leaving RR with a mountain to climb.
RR’s Response and Early Setbacks
Chasing 206, RR came out swinging, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and young Vaibhav Suryavanshi lighting up the powerplay. Jaiswal was in red-hot form, racing to 49 off just 19 balls before falling agonizingly short of a fifty. Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old prodigy, showed nerves of steel with a quickfire 16 off 12.
But RCB’s bowlers turned the tide in the middle overs. Krunal Pandya struck a big blow by dismissing Nitish Rana, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood ripped through RR’s batting. Hazlewood, in particular, was unstoppable, sending both Suryavanshi and Jaiswal back to the pavilion and breaking RR’s momentum.
The Final Over Drama
With 17 runs needed in the last over, the game was on a knife’s edge. RR’s Dhruv Jurel played some cracking shots, keeping hopes alive, but RCB’s bowlers held their nerve. Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling sealed the deal, restricting RR to 194/9 in 20 overs. RCB walked away with an 11-run victory, and Hazlewood’s sensational 4-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award.
Standout Performances
- Virat Kohli (RCB): 70 (42 balls) – Anchored the innings with a brilliant fifty, proving his class yet again.
- Devdutt Padikkal (RCB): 50 – Complemented Kohli perfectly with a fluent half-century.
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): 4 wickets – His 19th over (1 run, 2 wickets) was a game-changer.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): 49 (19 balls) – A blazing knock that fell just short of victory.
- Dhruv Jurel (RR): 47 (34 balls) – Fought hard but couldn’t get RR over the line.
Impact on the Points Table
This win propelled RCB to third place with 12 points, boosting their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, RR’s fifth straight loss pushed them down to eighth, putting their postseason dreams in serious jeopardy.
Moments That Stole the Show
- Salt’s Lifeline: A dropped catch in the second over let Salt unleash chaos, setting the tone for RCB’s innings.
- Kohli’s Milestone: Virat smashed his 100th T20 fifty with two glorious boundaries, sending the Bengaluru crowd into a frenzy.
- Hazlewood’s 19th Over: Just 1 run and 2 wickets – this over turned the match on its head.
- Suryavanshi’s Spark: The 14-year-old’s fearless batting won hearts and showed his immense potential.
- Jaiswal’s Scoop Shot: A stunning scoop off Hazlewood was hands-down the shot of the day.
Final Thoughts
This match was IPL 2025 at its finest – a rollercoaster of emotions, clutch performances, and unforgettable moments. RCB finally broke their home jinx, thanks to Hazlewood’s heroics and Kohli’s masterclass. For RR, the absence of captain Sanju Samson hurt, and this loss stings as they fight to stay in the playoff race. Both teams will look to regroup for their next games, but for now, RCB fans are buzzing with joy!
Were you glued to this thrilling match? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!