Jobaaj Stories
RCB Triumphs Over RR: Hazlewood's Magic and Kohli's Celebration
In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally broke their home losing streak, defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs in a nail-biting finish. This victory marked RCB's first win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in four attempts this season and ended RR's five-match losing streak, their longest since 2009-10. The match was a rollercoaster, showcasing both teams' strengths and weaknesses, ultimately decided by a phenomenal bowling performance from Josh Hazlewood.
Kohli's Steady Hand and RCB's Power Play
RCB, batting first, posted a challenging 205/5 thanks to Virat Kohli's masterful 70 off 42 balls and Devdutt Padikkal’s 50. Kohli’s innings, highlighted by eight fours and two sixes, anchored the innings, setting a solid foundation. Late-innings contributions from Tim David and Jitesh Sharma further boosted the total, putting pressure on RR.
RR's Strong Start and Hazlewood's Game-Changing Over
RR started their chase aggressively, with Yashasvi Jaiswal's explosive 49 off 19 balls. Nitish Rana and Riyan Parag also made significant contributions, and at one point, RR were comfortably ahead in the chase. However, Josh Hazlewood's incredible 19th over turned the game on its head. He dismissed the in-form Dhruv Jurel and Jofra Archer for just one run, shifting the momentum decisively in RCB's favour. This masterful spell, culminating in figures of 4/33, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Krunal Pandya's Crucial Contribution
Krunal Pandya played a significant role in restricting RR's run flow, picking up two crucial wickets in the middle overs. His economical spell, alongside Hazlewood's death-bowling prowess, proved instrumental in RCB's victory. Rajat Patidar, the RCB captain, praised his bowlers' courage and ability to take wickets, emphasizing the importance of this tactic in controlling the run rate.
Post-Match Reactions
Virat Kohli expressed his delight with the win, highlighting the team's improved batting approach and the electrifying atmosphere at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Josh Hazlewood credited his success to sticking to his strengths and utilizing variations effectively. Riyan Parag acknowledged RR’s mistakes and emphasized the need to play with more intent and freedom.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Win for RCB
RCB's victory over RR was a crucial turning point in their IPL 2025 campaign. Josh Hazlewood's match-winning performance and Virat Kohli's leadership were pivotal to their success. While RR will need to analyze their repeated failures in chases, RCB will look to build on this momentum as they move further into the tournament.
