Royal Challengers Bengaluru Crush Rajasthan Royals by 9 Wickets

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a clinical performance to outclass Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 9 wickets in the 28th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Chasing a modest 174, RCB’s openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli produced a batting spectacle, sealing the victory with 15 balls to spare at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The win marked RCB’s fourth victory of the season, all on the road, while RR slumped to their third loss, denting their early-season momentum.

Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB’s disciplined bowling unit kept RR in check on a Jaipur pitch that offered a fair contest but slowed as the game progressed. Yashasvi Jaiswal led RR’s charge with a fluent 75 off 49 balls, his 35-ball fifty a highlight of the innings. Jaiswal’s array of drives and lofted cover shots kept the scoreboard ticking, but RCB’s bowlers ensured he lacked consistent support. A 50-run stand with Riyan Parag (28 off 21) provided stability, but Parag’s dismissal to a slower ball from Yash Dayal in the 14th over stalled RR’s momentum.

Sanju Samson (18) and Nitish Rana (4 not out) failed to capitalize, while Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 35 off 23 added late impetus, but RR could only muster 173/4. RCB’s bowlers executed their plans with precision: Josh Hazlewood (1/30) dismissed Jaiswal with a well-directed bouncer, Krunal Pandya (1/29) bowled tidily, and Dayal’s clever variations earned him 1/28. Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept things tight, conceding just 32 runs. Despite sloppy fielding, including a dropped catch, RCB restricted RR to a below-par total on a pitch where 180 seemed defendable. As one X post noted, “Jaiswal’s 75 was pure class, but 173 feels 20 short on this track.”

Chasing 174, RCB’s openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli turned the game into a one-sided affair with a masterclass in T20 batting. Salt, named Player of the Match, blazed 65 off 33 balls, smashing 6 sixes, including a monstrous hit off Jofra Archer that cleared the stands. His aggressive intent in the powerplay, where RCB raced to 65/0 in 6 overs, set the tone. Kohli, anchoring the chase, played a vintage knock of 67 not out off 47 balls, reaching his 100th T20 fifty in style with a lofted drive over mid-off. Their 150-run opening stand effectively ended RR’s hopes.

Devdutt Padikkal (12 not out) joined Kohli to finish the job, guiding RCB to 175/1 in 17.3 overs. RR’s bowlers struggled for answers: Archer (0/38) was expensive, while spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana failed to grip the ball under dew. Sandeep Sharma’s disciplined spell (0/28) was a lone bright spot for RR, but the lack of wickets left them defenseless. Fans on X were in awe, with one user posting, “Salt and Kohli batting like it’s a video game! RCB making 174 look like a walk in the park.”

Key Moments and Turning Points

Jaiswal’s Lone Fight: Jaiswal’s 75 was a gem, but RR’s inability to accelerate after his dismissal in the 16th over cost them. Hazlewood’s breakthrough, as noted by ESPNcricinfo, was a game-changer.
RCB’s Powerplay Dominance: Salt’s 46 off 24 in the first six overs, including 4 sixes, put RR on the back foot early. As Salt later said, “I saw the chance to stamp my game in the powerplay, and it worked.”
Kohli’s Milestone: Kohli’s 50, his 99th in T20s, underscored his chase-master reputation. Wasim Jaffer’s comment on air, “Kohli’s got a shot for every situation now,” rang true as he paced the innings to perfection.

RCB’s emphatic win propelled them to third on the IPL 2025 points table, their away form—four wins in four—emerging as a defining strength. Rajat Patidar’s captaincy earned plaudits for sticking with a settled combination, and the team’s bowling discipline away from home (averaging 21.2 runs per wicket) stood out. Their next clash against Punjab Kings on April 16 will test their consistency.

For RR, the loss highlighted their over-reliance on Jaiswal and Samson, with the middle order failing to fire. With two wins and three losses, they slipped to seventh, and their campaign (LWWLL) needs urgent course correction. Sanju Samson admitted post-match, “We needed 15-20 more runs to challenge RCB’s batting.” RR face Delhi Capitals on April 16, a must-win to regain home momentum.

RCB’s nine-wicket triumph wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement of intent. Salt’s explosive power and Kohli’s timeless class exposed RR’s bowling frailties, while RCB’s bowlers showed they could tame a strong batting unit on a tricky pitch. The game, played in sweltering 38°C heat, tested both sides, but RCB’s adaptability shone through. As one X post summed it up, “RCB’s away game is scary good this season—RR had no chance after that powerplay.”

This Jaipur showdown reaffirmed RCB’s knack for turning up in big moments, while RR were left to regroup ahead of a crucial home stretch. In a season of fine margins, RCB’s clinical display will echo as a benchmark for chasing excellence.

Scorecard Summary:
Rajasthan Royals: 173/4 (20 overs) – Yashasvi Jaiswal 75 (49), Dhruv Jurel 35* (23); Josh Hazlewood 1/30, Yash Dayal 1/28
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 175/1 (17.3 overs) – Phil Salt 65 (33), Virat Kohli 67* (47); Sandeep Sharma 0/28
Result: RCB won by 9 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Phil Salt (RCB)