Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their first home victory of the IPL 2025 season, defeating Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. The win ends a three-game losing streak for RCB at the venue.
Asked to bat first, RCB posted a formidable total of 205 for 5. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a score of 70 runs off 42 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal contributed a rapid 50 off just 27 deliveries. The pair built a strong 95-run partnership for the second wicket, setting a challenging target for the visitors. Sandeep Sharma was the most effective bowler for RR, taking 2 wickets for 45 runs.
Rajasthan Royals' chase started brightly with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal firing early, reaching 49 runs off 19 balls before being dismissed. Despite being in a strong position at times, RR struggled to maintain momentum against disciplined bowling in the latter overs.
Josh Hazlewood was instrumental in slowing down RR, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs. Krunal Pandya also made important breakthroughs, finishing with figures of 2 for 31.
The match came down to the final over with Rajasthan Royals needing 17 runs. Yash Dayal held his nerve, securing the victory for RCB vs RR by 11 runs.
The loss continues a difficult run for Rajasthan Royals, who have now lost four consecutive matches. Captain Riyan Parag, standing in for the injured Sanju Samson, faced challenges with both bat and leadership during the slump, as discussed in a match preview.
Bengaluru's win is a significant boost, especially after previous struggles at their home ground this season. Their performance aligns with their strong away record, suggesting they may have found the right combination and strategy as the tournament progresses.
This match, the 42nd of the IPL 2025 season, demonstrated the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, with fortunes swinging until the final moments.
Looking ahead, RCB will aim to carry this home form forward, while RR will need to quickly regroup to keep their playoff aspirations alive. The full scorecard provides detailed match statistics.
"It (the wicket) was a little sticky throughout and I feel it is going to be challenging in the second innings as well. We had clear plans before the game because the last few games here we didn't bat particularly well, it was important we ran hard and hit the gaps," said RCB batter Devdutt Padikkal after the first innings.
