Introduction: In a pulsating encounter at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a dramatic 11-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2025 season on Thursday. Spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood’s match-defining 4-33, RCB not only ended their three-match home losing streak but also handed RR an unwanted record of five consecutive defeats, echoing a painful chapter from their 2009-10 campaign. This thrilling match was a testament to RCB’s resilience and RR’s ongoing struggles in crunch moments.
RCB’s Batting Masterclass Sets the Tone: Opting to bat first on a batting-friendly pitch, RCB posted a formidable 205-5 in their 20 overs, thanks to a masterful innings by Virat Kohli, who scored a gritty 70 off 42 balls. Kohli anchored the innings with two crucial partnerships: a brisk 61-run opening stand with Phil Salt (26 off 21) and a commanding 95-run partnership with young gun Devdutt Padikkal, who smashed a rapid 50 off 27 balls. Late fireworks from Tim David (23) and an unbeaten 20 from Jitesh Sharma ensured RCB crossed the 200-mark, a psychological barrier at this high-scoring venue.
RR’s Bowling Struggles: Rajasthan’s bowling unit, led by Jofra Archer (1-33), showed moments of brilliance but lacked consistency. Sandeep Sharma picked up 2-45, while spinner Wanindu Hasaranga managed 1-30. However, their inability to curb RCB’s momentum during the middle overs proved costly, as Kohli and Padikkal capitalized on loose deliveries to set a daunting target of 206.
RR’s Chase: Promising Start, Disastrous Finish: Rajasthan Royals began their chase with intent, powered by an explosive 49 off 19 balls from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, his dismissal by Hazlewood in the powerplay triggered a collapse. Vaibhav Suryavanshi fell early for 16, while Nitish Rana (28) and Riyan Parag (22) failed to convert their starts. A glimmer of hope came through Dhruv Jurel’s fighting 47 off 33 balls, but his dismissal in the 19th over, followed by Archer’s wicket on the next ball, sealed RR’s fate at 194-9. Hazlewood’s variations, mixing hard lengths with pinpoint yorkers, dismantled RR’s middle order, while Krunal Pandya’s timely breakthroughs shifted the momentum irrevocably in RCB’s favor.
Unwanted History for RR: This loss marked RR’s fifth consecutive defeat in IPL 2025, a streak reminiscent of their struggles in the 2009-10 season. After a promising start with a win over Punjab Kings on April 5, RR have faltered against Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and now RCB twice. Reflecting on the defeat, RR’s Riyan Parag admitted, “We were in the driving seat at the halfway mark, but we let it slip. We have only ourselves to blame.” This slump raises serious questions about RR’s ability to bounce back in the highly competitive IPL environment.
RCB’s Redemption at Home: For RCB, this victory was a long-awaited sigh of relief. Snapping a three-match losing streak at home, they also overturned a run of four consecutive defeats against RR in evening matches. Player of the Match Josh Hazlewood credited his success to sticking to basics, stating, “I knew hard lengths were tough to hit here, so I mixed it up with yorkers and change of pace.” This win not only boosts RCB’s morale but also reignites their campaign under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, who has faced scrutiny for inconsistent team performances.
Conclusion: As the IPL 2025 season heats up, RCB’s gritty triumph over RR serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. While Bengaluru celebrates a hard-fought home victory and a resurgence of form, Rajasthan Royals are left to introspection amidst a worrying losing streak. With key players underperforming and pressure mounting, RR must find answers quickly. For now, the spotlight shines on RCB’s Josh Hazlewood and Virat Kohli, who have turned the tide for their team at a critical juncture. Will RCB build on this momentum, and can RR arrest their slide? The IPL drama continues to unfold!