RCB vs PBKS: Wadhera’s Fire & Arshdeep’s Ice: PBKS Stun RCB in Rain-Hit Thriller | IPL 2025
RCB vs PBKS: The trend in IPL has now shifted towards the low-scoring thriller very quickly! Punjab Kings have registered their fifth win of the TATA IPL 2025. Royal Challengers haven't found the formula for winning the home matches and this was their third loss at home.
Punjab Kings continued their stellar bowling form with another dominant display at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, following their recent defense of 111 against KKR. RCB's home hasn't been their home truly this season. They didn't bat well, however, it was a good fight put forth by the bowlers, but they had 20-30 runs less on the board to defend.
The Rain started right 20 minutes before the regular toss time and stayed till 8:30. It took the groundsmen around one hour to make the outfield ready to play, and the umpires and the referee slotted the toss at 9:30 PM IST. This 150-minute delay in the toss cut the game to just 14 overs for each side.
RCB vs PBKS Match Summary
The toss becomes crucial in such short matches, and PBKS won in this section. They opted to chase the target with two changes in the team (Marcus Stonis and Harpreet Brar Came in). The bowlers of PBKS didn't disappoint the skipper's call.
Arshdeep drew the first blood in the first over, while Bartlett dismissed Livingstone before the fielding restrictions ended. The early breakthroughs put RCB on the back foot, and from there, wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
In the middle overs, Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal bowled with great control, each picking up two wickets while maintaining a tight economy. Harpreet Brar chipped in with a couple of wickets toward the end, ensuring RCB never got any momentum. Despite a late flourish from Tim David, who smashed three sixes in the final over, RCB ended up at just 95.
The chase started with mixed feelings for the Punjab Kings. They had 33 runs under four overs, but also lost the two openers. Iyer was struggling to middle and Jos Hazlewood put an end to his struggle and got Jos Inglis in the same over. RCB were at the top in the defence of 96. Hazlewood ended his spell with 3-0-14-3.
Nehal Wadhera then took Suyash Sharma on and slammed him two sixes and two fours to reduce the difference further. He ensured PBKS reached the asked target within the time, even 11 balls earlier. Marcus Stoinis finished the game with a stellar SIX and the game goes to Punjab with a 5-wicket win.
RCB vs PBKS Scorecard
RCB Batting First: 95/9 (14 Overs–Due to rain)
Tim David: 50*(26)
Marco Jansen: 3-0-10-2
PBKS Chase: 98/5 (12.1 overs)
Nehal Wadhera: 33*(19)
Jos Hazlewood: 3-0-14-3