RR vs RCB Highlights: In a masterclass of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) outclassed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by nine wickets in Match 28 of IPL 2025 at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Phil Salt’s explosive 65 (33 balls) and Virat Kohli’s composed 62* (45 balls) anchored RCB’s dominant chase of 174, sealing the win with 15 balls to spare. The victory propelled RCB to third place in the points table, consolidating their playoff ambitions, while RR languished in seventh after their fourth loss of the season.
Toss and RR’s Innings: Jaiswal’s Valiant 75 in Vain
RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first on a pitch with inconsistent bounce, a decision that initially seemed risky as RR openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson stitched a 49-run partnership. However, Krunal Pandya’s sharp spin broke the stand, dismissing Samson (15 off 19) via a stumping in the seventh over.
Jaiswal, RR’s standout performer, anchored the innings with a classy 75 off 47 balls, blending power and precision. His knock included 10 boundaries and two sixes, notably a daring scoop off Josh Hazlewood that sailed for six . Riyan Parag (30 off 22) provided brief support, but RR’s middle order faltered as Hazlewood trapped Jaiswal lbw in the 16th over. A late flourish from Dhruv Jurel (35* off 23) and Shimron Hetmyer (9 off 8) lifted RR to 173/4, a total deemed competitive but ultimately insufficient.
RCB’s bowlers executed a collective effort: Hazlewood (1/26), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/32), Yash Dayal (1/36), and Krunal Pandya (1/29) shared wickets, while Suyash Sharma’s economical spell (0/39) restricted RR’s acceleration.
RCB’s Chase: Salt’s Blitzkrieg and Kohli’s Milestone
RCB’s reply was a spectacle of controlled aggression. Phil Salt, fresh from a match-winning 88* in RCB’s previous game, tore into RR’s pace attack from the outset. He welcomed Jofra Archer with a six off the fourth ball, surviving a close lbw appeal, and never looked back. Salt’s innings featured six sixes and five fours, including a 28-ball fifty that dismantled RR’s morale.
Virat Kohli played the perfect foil, rotating strike effortlessly before accelerating. His 62* marked his 100th T20 half-century, equaling David Warner’s record for most 50+ scores in T20 cricket (66). The pair’s 92-run opening stand set the foundation, with Salt’s dismissal in the ninth over (caught by Jaiswal off Kartikeya Singh) offering RR a fleeting hope. However, Devdutt Padikkal (40* off 28) joined Kohli to add an unbeaten 83-run partnership, sealing the win with a flurry of boundaries.
Key Performances
- Phil Salt (RCB): The English dynamo’s 65 off 33 balls at a strike rate of 196.97 earned him Player of the Match. His assault on Archer (10 runs off the first over) and Sandeep Sharma (15-run over) demoralized RR early.
- Virat Kohli (RCB): The chase master’s 62* showcased his adaptability, blending caution with aggression. His straight six off Wanindu Hasaranga to reach fifty epitomized his class.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): His 75 was a lone bright spot for RR, but Kohli’s dropped catch (on 7) and RR’s sloppy fielding (three drops) proved costly.
Turning Points
- Powerplay Domination: RCB raced to 65/0 in six overs, compared to RR’s 45/0, exploiting the fielding restrictions decisively.
- Dropped Catches: RR’s Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma spilled straightforward chances of Kohli and Salt, respectively, in the fourth over, allowing RCB to maintain momentum.
- Jaiswal’s Dismissal: Hazlewood’s lbw of Jaiswal in the 16th over halted RR’s push for 190+, leaving their bowlers with a below-par total.
Post-Match Reactions
- Phil Salt (Player of the Match): “I tried to target the leg side against Archer early. The wicket was slow, so we aimed to kill the game in the Powerplay”.
- Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain): Praised the bowlers for restricting RR and highlighted Salt’s intent as “special”.
- Sanju Samson (RR Captain): Admitted dropped catches cost them but remained optimistic: “We’ll come back stronger”.
Conclusion
RCB’s fourth consecutive away win underscored their credentials as title contenders, with Salt and Kohli forming one of the league’s most formidable opening pairs. For RR, inconsistencies in batting and fielding remain concerns, though Jaiswal’s form offers hope. As the IPL season progresses, RCB’s balance and RR’s resilience will be tested in their quest for playoff berths.
Final Scorecard
- RR: 173/4 (20 overs) – Jaiswal 75, Jurel 35*
- RCB: 175/1 (17.3 overs) – Salt 65, Kohli 62, Padikkal 40
Result: RCB won by 9 wickets.
Also Read:
- RCB vs CSK Preview: A Clash of Contrasting Fortunes Under Bengaluru’s Rain-Threatened Skies
- KKR vs PBKS Playing XI, Toss Update and Match Preview
- KKR vs PBKS Preview: Redemption and Rivalry Collide at Eden Gardens
For Hindi Updates: Click Here