IPL 2025Indian Premier LeagueIPLIPL NewsIPL UpdatesJosh HazlewoodRajasthan RoyalsRoyal Challengers BengaluruVirat Kohli
Royals Collapse Again as RCB Clinch First Home Win in IPL 2025
Bengaluru Breaks Home Jinx as Hazlewood’s 19th Over Seals Victory
In a high-stakes IPL 2025 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally opened their home account, defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs. The match witnessed multiple momentum shifts, power-packed performances, and a dramatic finish, as RCB’s pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood delivered a game-defining penultimate over.
Toss and Team Updates
RCB won the toss and elected to bat first on a traditionally high-scoring Bengaluru pitch. With dew expected later, the decision to bat looked like a calculated gamble. Both teams made tactical changes, with RCB bringing in Krunal Pandya for middle-over control and Royals handing a start to Jofra Archer, back after injury.
RCB Innings: A Tale of Two Halves
Kohli and Padikkal Build a Platform
RCB openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal gave the side a rock-solid start. Kohli’s intent was clear from ball one, dominating the powerplay with crisp boundaries through the covers and straight down the ground. Padikkal complemented him perfectly, using his timing and wrist work to rotate strike.
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Powerplay score: 59/0
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Virat Kohli: 70 (44 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
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Devdutt Padikkal: 50 (35 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
RCB reached 100 in just 10.3 overs, looking set for a 220-plus total.
Middle Overs: Royals Slow the Surge
Post the 10-over mark, Rajasthan tightened their lines. Hasaranga bowled a smart spell, taking out Phil Salt (18 off 10) with a googly.
However, the Kohli-Padikkal duo kept the scoreboard ticking. Strategic time-out at 13 overs seemed to break the rhythm as RCB lost Padikkal to Sandeep Sharma immediately after.
Death Overs: Late Collapse Prevents Big Finish
RCB went from 165/2 in 16 overs to 205/5 by the end of 20 overs.
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Key wickets: Rajat Patidar (9), Dinesh Karthik (4)
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Sandeep Sharma (3/29) and Kuldeep Sen (1/32) pulled things back.
Despite a promising base, RCB failed to accelerate fully in the last three overs.
Rajasthan’s Chase: Promising Start Ends in Disappointment
Jaiswal on the Attack
Rajasthan’s reply began with a bang. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a six off the first ball and raced to 49 off 19 balls. His aggressive approach took the pressure off the middle order early.
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Powerplay score: 72/2
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Hazlewood dismissed Jaiswal with a sharp bouncer that forced a mistimed pull.
The early onslaught kept RR ahead of the rate for most of the innings.
Middle Overs: Parag and Rana Falter
Nitish Rana (27 off 21) and Riyan Parag (23 off 18) added 45 runs but never truly dominated the bowling. RCB’s spinners, especially Krunal Pandya, maintained a tight line, removing both batters at critical junctures.
By the end of 15 overs, RR were 147/4, needing 59 from the final five overs.
Final Overs Drama: Hazlewood Turns the Game
Dhruv Jurel reignited hopes with a powerful cameo—hitting 22 runs off Bhuvneshwar’s 18th over, including two sixes. At 187/5, Royals needed just 18 from the last 12 balls.
But Hazlewood produced one of the most clutch overs in IPL 2025:
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19th Over: 1 run, 2 wickets (Jurel and Archer)
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RR crumbled under pressure, ending at 194/8.
Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood
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Figures: 4 overs, 33 runs, 4 wickets
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Wickets: Jaiswal, Jurel, Archer, Sandeep Sharma
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Best economy in the death overs this season (4.25 in last 2 overs)
Hazlewood’s consistent length and death-over precision underlined why he remains a top-tier T20 bowler.
Key Takeaways from the Match
For RCB:
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Kohli’s return to form will boost confidence.
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Hazlewood and Krunal were crucial in applying brakes.
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Death bowling still needs improvement apart from Hazlewood.
For Royals:
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Missed opportunity with a chaseable target.
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Lack of finishing depth without Hetmyer or Samson.
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Death-over strategy and panic under pressure proved costly.
IPL 2025 Points Table Update: RCB Climbs to Third, RR Slips Further
Following their 11-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has ascended to third place in the IPL 2025 standings. This win brings RCB to 12 points from 9 matches, with a net run rate of +0.482, placing them just behind Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, who also have 12 points but superior net run rates .
Conversely, Rajasthan Royals have now suffered five consecutive defeats, leaving them in eighth place with 6 points from 9 matches and a net run rate of -0.625 .IPL
Current Standings
| Rank | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | +1.104 |
| 2 | Delhi Capitals | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | +0.657 |
| 3 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 9 | 6 | 3 | 12 | +0.482 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 | +0.673 |
| 5 | Punjab Kings | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 | +0.177 |
| 6 | Lucknow Super Giants | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 | -0.054 |
| 7 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | +0.212 |
| 8 | Rajasthan Royals | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 | -0.625 |
| 9 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -1.361 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -1.392 |
For the latest standings and detailed statistics, visit the official IPL 2025 points table.
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