IPL 2025: Kohli, Hazlewood Shine as RCB End Home Ground Jinx with 11-Run Win Over RR

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their home ground losing streak in IPL 2025 with an 11-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.

This was RCB’s first win in Bengaluru this season after three consecutive losses at the venue.

Kohli and Padikkal Lead RCB’s Charge

Opting to bat first after losing the toss yet again, RCB posted 205 for 5, their highest total at home this season.

The strong total was powered by fifties from Virat Kohli (70 off 42) and Devdutt Padikkal (50 off 27), who stitched a crucial 95-run partnership for the second wicket. Phil Salt contributed a scratchy 26 off 23 balls at the top. For RR, Sandeep Sharma stood out with figures of 2 for 45.

After a rapid start, Kohli and Padikkal maintained pressure on the RR bowlers. Kohli overcame a patchy beginning to reach his half-century in 32 balls, his first at home this season.

Padikkal, capitalizing on two dropped chances, registered his second consecutive fifty. Though RCB lost quick wickets in the middle, Tim David and Jitesh Sharma added a brisk 42 runs in the final 19 balls to lift the total past 200.

Hazlewood Turns the Game with a Fiery Spell

The chase saw Rajasthan Royals in control at multiple stages, especially after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive 49 off 19 balls and solid contributions from the middle order. RR were cruising at 110 for 2 in the ninth over, but the tide began to turn soon after.

With the equation down to 18 off 12 balls, Josh Hazlewood bowled a decisive 19th over that changed the match’s course.

First, he dismissed Dhruv Jurel—who had just started finding his rhythm after a slow start—caught behind off a faint under edge, confirmed by DRS after Rajat Patidar took a review.

Next ball, Hazlewood cramped Jofra Archer for room, resulting in a catch at cover. That over cost only one run and yielded two vital wickets, shifting momentum completely.

Hazlewood’s earlier spell was equally effective. In the 17th over, he dismissed Shimron Hetmyer with a sharp delivery that produced an inside edge, and gave away just six runs, tightening RCB’s grip on the match.

Krunal and Suyash Apply the Middle-Overs Squeeze

RR’s chase, initially on track, began to falter after the powerplay. With Jaiswal’s aggressive innings and Nitish Rana’s fluent strokeplay pushing them to 110 for 2, the visitors seemed to be heading towards victory.

But Krunal Pandya was introduced into the attack and struck immediately. His very first ball saw Riyan Parag top-edge a slog sweep into the gloves of Jitesh Sharma.

At the other end, Suyash Sharma provided support with tight legspin and variations that kept the run flow in check. Between the 10th and 13th overs, RR managed only one boundary.

Rana, under growing pressure, attempted a release shot off Krunal, only to be caught by Bhuvneshwar Kumar at short fine leg. Krunal finished with figures of 2 for 31 in a three-over spell that throttled RR’s momentum.

Dramatic Finish at the Chinnaswamy

Even with wickets falling, Dhruv Jurel and Shubham Dubey reignited hopes with 22 runs off Bhuvneshwar’s 18th over, bringing the equation down to 18 off the final two overs.

But Hazlewood’s brilliance in the penultimate over left RR needing 17 from the last six balls.

Yash Dayal, who had previously defended a tense last over against Chennai Super Kings, was given the responsibility again. He held his nerve and ensured RR couldn’t close the gap, sealing an 11-run victory.

The win saw RCB erupt in celebration, finally finding their voice at home and moving into the top three in the standings.

For RR, this was a fifth consecutive loss, pushing them further towards the edge in IPL 2025. Despite being in winning positions in multiple games, their inability to finish strong continued to haunt them.