In Match 42 of the ongoing IPL 2025, the hosts, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), defeated the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in an exciting victory on Thursday, April 24, at Bengaluru’s famed M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following three straight home losses, RCB secured their first victory of the current campaign. With the help of a superb bowling display by Josh Hazlewood and an outstanding batting display, RCB was able to pull off a victory.
Talking Points
1. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal’s batting performances
RCB got a good start to their innings, thanks to Virat Kohli’s aggressive start at the top. While Phil Salt scored 25(23) and could not get going as well, Kohli batted well from his end. Devdutt Padikkal from the other end helped him equally well. While Virat scored 70 runs in 42 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes, Padikkal played an authoritative 50(27), which included 4 fours and 3 sixes.
2. Rajasthan Royals’ Top 4 batters shine yet again
Chasing 206, RR had a great first half. Yashasvi Jaiswal played his best knock of the season with a fiery 49(19). While Vaibhav Suryavanshi struggled with his 16(12), Nitish Rana and Riyan Parag scored 28(22) and 22(10) respectively. Dhruv Jurel finished well with his 47(34), although he could not take the Royals home. Their knocks nearly secured the visiting side a win.
3. Josh Hazlewood’s exceptional bowling
It would not be wrong to say that Josh Hazlewood’s bowling was the difference between the two sides. The right-arm pacer dismissed a dangerous-looking Jaiswal right before the end of the powerplay overs. He later dismissed Shimron Hetmyer and gave RCB a good chance to defend the total. When 18 runs were needed in the last 12 balls, Hazlewood dismissed Dhruv Jurel and Archer in back-to-back deliveries and conceded a solitary run.
Who Said What?
Rajat Patidar, RCB (Winning Captain)
That was a much-needed win. Today the wicket was different and all credit goes to the bowlers after the 10th over. The way they showed courage was tremendous. Initially they batted beautifully, credit goes to them as well. We were searching for wickets, when you get wickets only you can stop runs. I always back my instincts first but we have a team of great leaders and their inputs helps a lot. (if they have cracked the code finally to win at the MCS?) Yes (smiles).
Riyan Parag, RR (Losing Captain)
We did really well with the ball. I thought it was a 210-215 wicket, we held them back really well. Halfway through our innings we were in the driver’s seat. We’ve got ourselves to blame. Didn’t show enough intent against spinners. (How much of it is mental?) It does play a part but support staff has given us a lot of freedom and the onus is on us to go ahead and show that freedom and play freely. It’s a tournament where if you make a slight mistake, you’ll pay for it. We speak a lot as groups.
We try to be very honest with our conversations about how everyone was feeling in different situations. We’ve spoken about situations like this, just couldn’t execute it tonight. We’ve got to play for pride now. There are a lot of fans who support us. There are a lot of people who work really hard for us to come out here and play in a tournament like this. Have got to do it for them. Have to be very grateful and honoured to play this game and play for this franchise and we’ve got to show it next time we play.
Josh Hazlewood, Player of the Match
First of all was sticking to your strengths. Knew the hard length was tough to hit on this wicket, mixing it up with the odd yorker, the slower balls and the order in which to bowl them was the way to go. Opportunity to play the format, did not have the opportunity with Test cricket and then ODI cricket. First it is Sydney Sixers, CSK and now RCB, these are the three teams majorly and a bit for Australia as well.
Taking information from different pieces and putting it all together. One of the big keys for us is to get the information to the group as well. I love our bowling attack. I feel we have got every base covered, everyone has their days and we are doing well. The bounce is quite steep here throughout the whole tournament, getting that score was phenomenal. I feel that was well-above par and the guys did a really great job.
India
