IPL 2025: RCB Finally Clinch Home Victory as Kohli, Hazlewood Star in Win Over Royals Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
IPL 2025: RCB Finally Clinch Home Victory as Kohli, Hazlewood Star in Win Over Royals Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Bengaluru, April 24 – In a high-scoring contest at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered their first home win of the season, defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs in the 42nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. RCB rode on a sublime half-century by Virat Kohli and a clinical bowling performance led by Josh Hazlewood to secure a much-needed victory and climb to third on the points table with 12 points.
RCB’s Batting – Kohli Anchors, Padikkal Fires
After being asked to bat first, RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli gave the hosts a solid start. Salt played a brisk cameo, scoring 26 off 23 balls, before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga. The innings gained momentum when Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal stitched together a crucial 95-run partnership.
Kohli anchored the innings with a fluent 70 off 42 deliveries, striking 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Padikkal was the aggressor with a powerful 50 off 27 balls. A late push from Tim David (23 off 15) and Jitesh Sharma (20* off 10) took RCB to a competitive total of 205 for 5 in their 20 overs. Sandeep Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for RR, taking 2 wickets for 45 runs.
RR’s Chase – Jaiswal Starts Strong, Hazlewood Ends Hopes
Rajasthan Royals began their chase with intent, led by a blazing knock from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who smashed 49 off just 19 balls. However, RCB pulled things back quickly, with Hazlewood removing Jaiswal just as he threatened to take the game away.
Nitish Rana (28), Riyan Parag (22), and Dhruv Jurel (47) tried to steady the innings, but regular wickets kept derailing the chase. Hazlewood proved to be the game-changer, claiming 4 wickets for 34 runs, including the crucial scalps of Hetmyer, Jurel, and Jaiswal.
Krunal Pandya also contributed with two important wickets in the middle overs. Despite some lower-order resistance, RR could only manage 194 for 9 in their 20 overs, falling 11 runs short.
Points Table Update
With this win, RCB now have 12 points from their matches and have moved up to third place on the points table. This victory ends their home losing streak and puts them in a strong position as the tournament enters its final stretch.
Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Rajasthan Royals:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 205/5 in 20 overs
(Kohli 70, Padikkal 50; Sandeep Sharma 2/45)
Rajasthan Royals: 194/9 in 20 overs
(Jaiswal 49, Jurel 47; Hazlewood 4/34, Krunal Pandya 2/20)
Result: RCB won by 11 runs
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (4/34)
With momentum on their side, RCB will look to carry this form into their remaining fixtures, while Rajasthan Royals will be eager to bounce back in their upcoming games.
Virat Kohli Smashes His 100th International Half-Century in Style, Powers RCB to Victory Over Rajasthan Royals
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