Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended the score at Chinnaswamy Stadium. It isn't easy to defend the score on a ground like Chinnaswamy, and RCB has struggled with the same over the years. This RCB bowling is very good and is looking scary as hell. RCB regains their no.3 position in the points table as they won by 11 runs against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). RCB has strengthened their qualification chances with 6 wins in 9 matches.
Rajasthan, on the other hand, is the same old story, choked another good run-chase. They failed to chase 18 runs in 2 overs. Nothing is going right in the RR camp as of now. They are struggling to perform under pressure. 5 consecutive defeats for RR, they are currently at no.8 with only 2 wins in 8 matches they have played.
Match Summary:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Innings: RCB started their innings pretty well with a fabulous opening partnership between Salt and Kohli, 61 runs off 40 balls. Then, a lot bigger partnership between Paddikal and Kohli of 95 runs in 51 balls. RCB has decided that Virat will hold on one end, and the other batters will come and attack freely. This strategy is working for them as of now. RCB managed to score 205/5 in their 20 overs. Not a great day for the Rajasthan bowlers yesterday.
Rajasthan Royals' Innings: RR started off well, in fact, they scored 72 runs in the powerplay, which is the highest for RR against RCB. But, they also lost 2 wickets in the powerplay. RR's lower-middle order has disappointed a lot, this is the 3rd consecutive match they have lost in the last 2 overs. Rajasthan needed 18 runs in 2 overs with 5 wickets in hand, and Jurel was the set batter, but they still couldn't manage to win the match.
Riyan Parag, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, said that, We did really well with the ball and felt it was a 210 wicket. With the start we got, we were right into the game, but we should have executed the batting better.
Key Performers:
Virat Kohli: King Kohli delivers again, holding one position is crucial in T20 cricket, and he does it so well. He knows when to attack and when not to; this helps him score big runs. Virat scored 70 runs off 42 balls and had great partnerships with Salt and Paddikal.
Jitesh Sharma: He is the best wicket-keeper in this season's IPL. His keeping, taking crucial reviews, and a quick-fire 10 balls 20 runs made the difference between the two teams.
Josh Hazlewood: He delivered a match-winning spell. He bowled the 19th over, which is considered as most important over in T20 cricket. He kept his calm and took 2 wickets in that over, giving only 1 run. Hazlewood sealed the match for RCB. In his 4-over spell, he gave 33 runs and took 4 wickets.
From Rajasthan, Yashasvi and Jurel scored quick 40s, but a match-winning impact was not seen from either of these youngsters.
Extras - The Silent Culprit in Royals' Narrow Defeat
In a match decided by just 11 runs, the difference didn’t lie in big sixes or spectacular wickets—it was in the overlooked column of extras. Rajasthan Royals conceded 15 extras, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru gave away just 5. That 10-run gap perfectly mirrors the final margin.
Rajasthan’s bowlers, otherwise competitive, leaked wides and no-balls at crucial moments. These weren’t just free runs—they disrupted rhythm, gave RCB free hits, and added pressure when the margin for error was slim. In contrast, RCB maintained tight discipline, showing how small details make a big impact in T20 cricket.
In such a closely contested game, those 15 extras weren't just numbers—they were game-changers.
Overall, this match reminded everyone that T20 cricket can be won and lost not always by power-hitters or death bowling, but by finer margins. Rajasthan was in control of the chase, but tiny moments of lapse, such as 14 wides, cost them heavily. RCB, however, got their game plan correct where it mattered, under pressure, and demonstrated the importance of not losing their composure at crucial moments.
With this victory, Bengaluru not only ended their home-ground jinx but also sent a message to the rest of the league — they're not only batting big, they're bowling clever. As for Rajasthan, the path ahead seems uphill unless they can stop these recurring leaks and learn to finish games.
Often, it's not the final over that gets the better of you. It's the quiet ones in between — or in this instance, 14 of them sliding down the leg side.
About the Author
Advait Kadam is a sports writer at Vygr Media, specializing in cricket coverage and match analysis. With a background in Sports Management and a passion for storytelling, he brings sharp insights and fresh perspectives to every game.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr’s views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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