00:01Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their home drought in IPL 2025, clinching a tense 11-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at the M. Chinniswamy Stadium on Thursday.
00:15The win, powered by clutch death bowling from Josh Hazelwood and Yash Dayal, was RCB's first at home after three successive losses, while Arar slumped to their fifth defeat in a row, further denting their playoff hopes.
00:33Put into bat, RCB rode on a fluent 70 from Virat Kohli, his fifth 50 of the season, and a brisk 50 from Devdutt Padikul.
00:44The pair added a commanding 95 for the second wicket, setting a solid platform after Phil Saul's early departure.
00:52Kohli's 42-ball knock, laced with eight fours and two sixes, saw him reclaim the Orange Cap's second spot with 392 runs in nine matches.
01:03Padikul continued the momentum, striking four boundaries and three sixes in his 27-ball stay.
01:11However, a mini-collapse in the middle overs saw RCB lose three wickets for just seven runs, with Sandeep Sharma two wickets for 45 runs, inflicting crucial blows.
01:23Tim David, 23 of 15, and Jitesh Sharma, 20 not out of 10, provided a late surge, pushing the total to a competitive 205 for 5.
01:34Chasing 206, Rajasthan Royals openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi attacked from the outset, with Jaiswal smashing 49 of just 19 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
01:50The Royals raced to 72 for two by the end of the power play, keeping the required rate in check.
01:56Nitish Rana and skipper Riyan Parag kept the chase alive, but Kronal Pandya's introduction triggered a slowdown.
02:05He removed both set batters, applying the breaks just as Rajasthan Royals seemed poised for a comfortable finish.
02:13Dhruv Jurel and Shobham Dubey reignited hope, reducing the equation to 18 of the final two overs.
02:21With Rajasthan Royals needing 18 from 12 balls, Hazelwood delivered a match-turning penultimate over, conceding just one run and taking two wickets, including the dangerous Jurel and Joffra Archer of consecutive balls.
02:37Dayal then held his nerve in the final over, removing Dubey and ensuring Rajasthan Royals finished on 194 for nine, 11 runs short.
02:48Hazelwood's four wickets for 33 runs rightfully earned him Player of the Match honours, while Dayal's composure under pressure was equally vital.
02:58The result propelled R.C. beat third on the table with 12 points, with Rajasthan Royals languish in eighth place, their playoff hopes fading fast.
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