Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal’s half-centuries helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to register a comfortable seven-wicket win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their eighth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
With this win against PBKS, RCB managed to avenge their five-wicket loss to PBKS at their home stadium of M Chinnaswamy Stadium and secured their fifth win of the season. They are currently third in the points table with five wins, three losses and 10 points. With the same win-loss ratio, PBKS is in the fourth spot.
During the 158-run chase, RCB were off to a poor start as Arshdeep Singh removed Phil Salt for one run in three balls. RCB was 6/1 in one over.
In the next few overs, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal stitched a partnership, collecting boundaries against pace and spin alike. RCB reached the 50-run mark in 5.5 overs.
After the end of the powerplay in six overs, RCB were 4/1 in six overs, with Virat (31*) and Padikkal (22*) unbeaten. The duo stitched a 50-run partnership in 31 balls. At the end of 10 overs, RCB looked right on track, at 88/1 with Padikkal (49*) and Virat (37*) unbeaten. Padikkal smashed his first fifty of the season in 30 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, and he continued his streak of fine attacking knocks in the tournament.
Padikkal continued to pick apart pacers, bringing up the 100-run stand in 65 balls. However, the 103-run stand between Padikkal and Virat was ended by Harpreet Brar, with Nehal Wadhera getting a safe catch at long-on. The left-hander departed for 61 in 35 balls, with five fours and four sixes. RCB was 109/2 in 12.3 overs.
After Padikkal’s wicket, Patidar joined Kohli for the chase. He carried the chase forward with Virat, who reached his 67th IPL fifty and fourth this season, in 43 balls, with five fours.
However, Rajat’s innings was short-lived as he was caught by Marco Jansen on a Yuzi Chahal delivery for 12 in 13 balls, with a four. RCB was 143/3 in 16.4 overs.
Thanks to a six from Jitesh Sharma, RCB ended on the winning side, finishing at 159/3 in 18.5 overs, with Jitesh Sharma (11*) and Virat (73* in 54 balls, with eight fours and a six) unbeaten. Arshdeep Singh, Brar and Chahal got a wicket each for PBKS.
Earlier, RCB spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma’s iconic bowling spells restricted PBKS to an under-par 157 for six in 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Krunal (2/25) and leg-spinner Suyash (2/27) were unplayable after RCB opted to bowl on a pitch favouring spinners.
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