Picture : IPL / X – Virat Kohli in sublime form
Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a clinical show as they beat the inconsistent Rajasthan Royals in a Tata IPL 2025 encounter on hot afternoon in Jaipur.
RCB Skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first . The RR openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Skipper Sanju Samson began well in
providing steady not explosive start . Samson was first out for 15 with the total at 49/ 1 in 6. 5 overs. Riyan Parag once again threatened to to play big knock only to fall in the 30s. Parag scored 30 ( 22 balls , 3 fours, 1 six).
Jaiswal on the other hand looked a different player as other struggled and scored a fine innings of 75 ( 47 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) it was Jaiswal knock that gave the RR some momentum. Wicket- keeper Dhruv Jurel chipped in with a timely unbeaten 35 ( 23 balls 2 fours, 2 sixes) that somewhat lifted t he RR total and give their bowlers something defend .
Shimron Hetmyer out for 9 and Nitish Rana was not out 4 . RR finishing at a below pa total of 173/ 4 in their 20 overs . Barring Jaiswal none other batsmen could play a big knock .
RCB bowling : Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/ 32 (4 overs ) , Yash Dayal 1/ 36 ( 4 overs) , Josh Hazlewood 1/ 26 ( 3 overs) , Krunal Pandya 1/ 29 ( 4 overs) , Liam Livingstone 0/8 ( 1 over) , Suyash Sharma 0/ 39 ( 4 overs)
In reply RCB were off to a flying start with openers – Aggressive Philip Salt and Virat Kohli. The duo gave the RR bowlers no chance as they raced to 92 in 8. 4 overs. Salt was the first and only batsman out in the RCB innings but not before a blistering knock of 65 ( 33 balls, 5 fours, 6 sixes) .
Picture : IPL / X – Phil Salt in action
In terrific form Virat Kohli anchored the innings well and remained not out on 62 ( 45 balls, 4 fours, 2 sies) and along with Devdutt Padikkal not out 40 ( 28 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) saw RCB home comfortably by 9 wickets reaching 175/ 1 in 17. 3 overs.
RR bowling figures : Jofra Archer 0/ 36 ( 4 overs) , Tushar Deshpande 0/ 21 ( 2 overs) , Sandeep Sharma 0/ 29 ( 2. 3 overs) , Maheesh Theekshana 0/ 21 ( 2 overs) , Kumar Kartikeya 1/ 25 ( 3 overs) ,Wanindu Hasaranga 0/ 33 ( 3 overs), Riyan Parag 0/ 10 ( 1 over)
Match: IPL 2025, 28th Match
Venue: Jaipur | Date: April 13, 2025
