IPL 2025 Shocker: RCB’s 95/9 Against PBKS Enters List of Lowest Scores
In a nightmarish outing at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a colossal batting collapse against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 34 of IPL 2025. The home side stumbled to a paltry 95 for 9 in a rain-shortened 14-over encounter on Friday, etching their name into the annals of IPL history for all the wrong reasons.
This dismal total places RCB at the joint-38th lowest score in the tournament’s 17-year legacy, a statistic that highlights the sheer scale of their capitulation. With memories of their lowest-ever score of 49 all out against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2017 still fresh, this latest debacle adds another chapter to RCB’s rollercoaster journey in the IPL.
The collapse began early, with opener Philip Salt departing for just 4 runs in the opening over. The woes deepened as talisman Virat Kohli, often the bedrock of RCB’s batting, fell for a measly 1 run off 3 balls, leaving the dugout shell-shocked. Captain Rajat Patidar offered brief resistance with a gritty 23 off 18 balls, but the middle and lower order crumbled under relentless pressure from PBKS’s disciplined bowling attack.
Amid the rubble, Tim David emerged as RCB’s lone warrior, crafting an unbeaten 50* with a flurry of boundaries and towering sixes in the final overs. His heroics salvaged some pride for the franchise, pushing the total past the 90-run mark—a psychological barrier in such a dire situation. Without David’s knock, RCB might have flirted with an even more embarrassing record.
On the other side, Punjab Kings’ bowlers were nothing short of sensational. Arshdeep Singh led the charge with his deceptive pace and swing, while Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett exploited the conditions brilliantly. Spinners Harpreet Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal tightened the noose in the middle overs, ensuring no respite for RCB’s beleaguered batters. This clinical display of bowling prowess underscored PBKS’s dominance, leaving the Chinnaswamy crowd in stunned silence.
Historically, RCB has had its share of batting horrors in the IPL. Their infamous 49 all out against KKR in 2017 remains the lowest score in the tournament’s history, a record no team has since surpassed. Other notable low scores include Rajasthan Royals’ 58 against RCB in 2009 and Delhi Capitals’ 66 against Mumbai Indians in 2017. While Friday’s 95/9 doesn’t sink to those depths, it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of even the most starry line-ups in the high-pressure cauldron of T20 cricket.
For RCB fans, this performance is a bitter pill to swallow, especially at a venue known for high-scoring thrillers. The question now looms—will this be a mere blip in their IPL 2025 campaign, or a sign of deeper cracks in their batting armor? As for Punjab Kings, this victory will serve as a massive confidence booster, with their bowling unit firing on all cylinders at the perfect time in the season.
As the dust settles on this unforgettable clash, one thing is clear: cricket, in its purest form, remains unpredictable. RCB will look to regroup, reflect, and return stronger, while PBKS will aim to carry this momentum forward. For now, though, the spotlight remains on a night of dominance, despair, and drama at Chinnaswamy.