RCB Secures First Home Win of IPL 2025 in Dramatic Fashion
In an electrifying encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) broke their home jinx with a nail-biting 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). This match, brimming with breathtaking moments, saw Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood emerge as the architects of RCB’s first home victory of the season.
Kohli and Padikkal Lay the Foundation for a Defendable Total
After losing the toss yet again, RCB found themselves batting first. The team made the most of the opportunity, posting a commanding 205 for 5, their highest home score this season.
Leading from the front, Virat Kohli smashed a composed 70 off 45 balls, overcoming a nervy start. His face-off against a fiery Jofra Archer in the powerplay was a standout battle. At the other end, Devdutt Padikkal capitalized on two dropped catches to score a fluent 50 off 29 balls, notching up back-to-back half-centuries.
Although Phil Salt struggled for timing with a scratchy 26, the late acceleration came from Tim David and Jitesh Sharma, who powered RCB to a strong finish with 42 runs off the final 19 deliveries.
Hazlewood’s 19th Over Turns the Tide
With 18 runs required from the last 12 balls, the momentum had shifted in RR’s favor after Dhruv Jurel and Shubham Dubey smashed 22 runs off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 18th over. However, Josh Hazlewood stepped up with a game-changing 19th over, delivering an unplayable spell that completely derailed the chase.
His over included two massive wickets: first, a faint edge from Jurel caught behind was confirmed via review, and then a rising delivery to Jofra Archer resulted in a simple catch to cover. Hazlewood’s lethal 4 for 33 ensured RR were left stunned and short of the target.
Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma Apply Mid-Innings Pressure
Earlier in the innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive 49 off 19 balls had RR cruising. Paired with Nitish Rana, the Royals raced to 110 for 2 in just nine overs, putting RCB under immense pressure.
Then came the turning point—Krunal Pandya’s introduction into the attack. He struck immediately, removing Riyan Parag with a top-edged slog sweep, followed by a tight spell that yielded figures of 2 for 31.
Suyash Sharma’s clever variations complemented Pandya well, as he dried up boundaries through the middle overs. The squeeze from overs 10 to 13 was pivotal in tilting the game back toward Bengaluru.
RCB’s Death Bowling Excellence Seals the Victory
Despite the resurgence from Jurel and Dubey, the death bowling by RCB was clinical. Hazlewood’s back-to-back overs in the 17th and 19th crippled the Royals’ scoring rate, conceding only seven runs in total while picking up three wickets.
With RR needing 17 off the final over, Yash Dayal, who famously defended a last over against CSK last season, held his nerve once again. His precise execution and calm under pressure ensured RCB clinched a dramatic win in front of their home crowd.
RCB Climbs the Table, RR Slips into Crisis
This victory not only marked RCB’s first home win of IPL 2025 but also pushed them into the top three of the points table. It was a much-needed morale booster for a team that had endured a string of close losses at home.
For Rajasthan Royals, this defeat was their fifth consecutive loss, plunging them into a deep crisis. Once masters of chasing, they have now stumbled in the final overs of three successive games, raising serious concerns about their finishing ability.
Key Takeaways: A Match for the Ages
- Virat Kohli’s 70 and Padikkal’s 50 provided RCB a strong base.
- Hazlewood’s spell of 4-33, including a match-turning 19th over, proved decisive.
- Krunal Pandya’s timely breakthroughs halted RR’s momentum in the middle overs.
- RCB defended 205 with composure, executing their death overs strategy to perfection.
- RR’s poor finishing continues to be their Achilles heel.
Conclusion: RCB Finds Redemption at Home
In a high-stakes contest where the momentum shifted back and forth, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally gave their home fans a reason to cheer. Powered by stellar performances from Kohli, Padikkal, and Hazlewood, the team shook off their home curse and reasserted their playoff ambitions.
For the Rajasthan Royals, introspection is overdue. Once a confident chasing unit, they now stare at elimination if they can’t break the losing streak. One thing’s for certain — this match will go down as one of the most thrilling of IPL 2025.
