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RCB vs RR: Kohli's Masterclass and RCB's Hard-Fought Victory
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally broke their home losing streak, securing an exhilarating 11-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 42 of IPL 2025. Virat Kohli's match-winning 70 runs off 42 deliveries was the cornerstone of RCB's success, a performance lauded by former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra.
Kohli's Consistent Brilliance
Chopra, in a YouTube video, highlighted Kohli's consistent run-scoring, stating that the former RCB captain is a "run machine," always delivering. While acknowledging potential criticism for not praising Kohli enough, Chopra emphasized that Kohli's exceptional performance is almost expected – "Virat Kohli is the Reserve Bank. He keeps printing notes every time," he quipped. Kohli's innings, punctuated by eight fours and two sixes, was unfortunately cut short just shy of a century.
Beyond Kohli: Team Performance Matters
Chopra stressed that RCB's success isn't solely dependent on Kohli. He emphasized the crucial contributions of his teammates, particularly highlighting Devdutt Padikkal's "breath of fresh air" performance. Padikkal's quickfire 50 off 27 balls formed a crucial 91-run partnership with Kohli, setting the stage for a challenging target. Further contributions from Tim David and Jitesh Sharma propelled RCB to a formidable 205/5.
Hazlewood's Death-Over Heroics
While RCB's batting laid the foundation, Josh Hazlewood's exceptional bowling sealed the deal. His stunning spell of 4/33, including two crucial wickets in the 19th over, stifled RR's chase despite a strong start. The thrilling final moments saw Kohli's animated celebrations alongside his team reflecting the intensity of the hard-fought victory.
RCB's Home Win and Future Prospects
This win marked RCB's first home victory in four attempts this season, a significant turning point. Kohli expressed his delight, praising the Chinnaswamy Stadium as "the best place to play cricket in the IPL," acknowledging the incredible support from the fans. The victory propelled RCB to 3rd place on the points table, setting a positive tone for their upcoming matches.
