RCB Break Home Jinx with Stunning Win Over RR
At long last, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) broke their home curse. In a wide ranging showdown at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB sealed an 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR). With this, they now claimed their first domestic victory of IPL 2025 but additionally climbed into the top three on the points table.
RCB published their highest domestic total this season — 205 for 5. Yet, the match appeared destined for any other heartbreak till Josh Hazlewood scripted a death-over masterclass. The Royals, once cruising, misplaced grip dramatically.
When It Rains Sixes, It Pours Hope
Virat Kohli again led from the front. His calm but impactful 70 gave RCB the early rhythm they desperately needed. Devdutt Padikkal added his magic too, scoring a vital 50. Though Phil Salt struggled for timing, handling 26 off 23, the duo of Kohli and Padikkal kept the scoreboard safe.
As wickets fell in a mini-collapse, RR was hoping to take control. But Tim David and Jitesh Sharma had different plans. Their fiery end brought 42 runs in just 19 balls. This very last push took RCB past the 200 mark.
RR Fire Turns Up the Heat
In reply, RR commenced in explosive fashion. Yashasvi Jaiswal powered his way to forty nine from just 19 balls. His strokes lit up the stadium, and for some time, it felt like a one-sided chase. Nitish Rana looked silky at the opposite end. At 110 for two in only 9 overs, RR had complete control.
However, the RCB spin attack stepped up. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma slowed things down expertly. Krunal struck right now, removing Riyan Parag together with his first actual delivery. Jitesh held on to a top aspect, shifting momentum RCB’s manner.
Spin Choke: Krunal-Suyash Duo Trigger RR Collapse
Krunal wasn’t finished. He kept bowling tight traces, denying smooth runs. His arm-ball nearly got Dhruv Jurel LBW next ball. But a tiny inside edge saved the batter, way to DRS. Still, the pressure hooked up. RR’s win opportunity dropped from 76.% to 61.9% in just one over.
At the other end, Suyash persevered to baffle the batters. He bowled with zip and guile. Between overs 10 to 13, RR controlled just one boundary. The run rate began mountaineering, and nerves crept in.
Hazlewood: Cooler Than Ice Under Pressure
With 18 needed off the final overs, the match became in RR’s palms. Dhruv Jurel had started out to discover his variety, and Shubham Dubey became swinging hard. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hammered for 22 in the 18th over. RR appeared ready to steal this one.
Enter Josh Hazlewood.
He bowled the 19th over with great strategy. The first ball — an extensive yorker — appeared like a dot. But Patidar reviewed it for a catch at the back. To anybody’s surprise, UltraEdge showed a faint nick. Jurel changed out, and so turned the situation.
Hazlewood wasn’t finished. His next transport rose sharply and cramped Jofra Archer. The ball lobbed to cover, and Patidar took a pointy seize. Two balls, wickets — and just one run conceded.
RCB Bowling Dominates Under Chinnaswamy Lights
Hazlewood’s earlier over had already carried out the damage. In the 17th, he eliminated the damaging Shimron Hetmyer. Changing his angle, he went around the wicket and bowled tough into the pitch. Hetmyer got a feather of an edge through to the keeper. Only six runs came off that over.
His 4 for 33 became a sport-winning spell. He dismantled RR’s finishers and iced up the match in RCB’s choice. Yash Dayal then got here to bowl the very last over with 17 to protect. Just like the remaining season’s miracle towards CSK, he saved his calm. RR fell quickly by 11 runs.
Big Questions for Rajasthan, Big Hope for Bengaluru
RCB have now gained all 5 in their away games and in the end opened their home account. Their bowlers clicked when it mattered the most. Hazlewood’s form, Kohli’s consistency, and the support of Padikkal’s contact may be game-changers for their playoff hopes.
On the flip side, RR are in deep trouble. They’ve now misplaced five in a row. Twice, they didn’t get nine runs in the final over. Their middle order is unreliable. The Impact Player rule hasn’t solved their balance troubles. They keep tweaking combinations but without achievement. Their marketing campaign, once promising, now sits on the brink.
RCB Eyes Playoffs, RR Fights for Survival
For RCB, this win is a self belief booster. They’ll wish to journey this momentum into the final leg of the league. With Hazlewood back and Kohli in form, they seem like serious contenders once more. RR, however, wants to regroup. The expertise is there — Jaiswal, Jurel, and Archer all showed glimpses. But without intent, without execution, their season ought to slip away quickly.
RCB turned a heartbreak into history. Now, they simply want to hold their hearts robust and heads high.
