Hazlewood's superb Over Secures Win for RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally registered their first home victory of the 2025 Indian Premier League season, clinching a dramatic contest against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs on Friday, April 25th. After posting their highest home score of the season, RCB faced a tense finish before a remarkable penultimate over from Josh Hazlewood turned the match decisively in their favour, giving RR their fifth consecutive defeat.
Kohli and Padikkal gave a good start for RCB
Despite losing the toss again at home, RCB put together a strong batting performance, finishing on 205 for 5. Virat Kohli overcame a slightly uncertain start to compile a composed 70, while Devdutt Padikkal continued his resurgence with a second consecutive half-century (50). Their partnership provided a solid platform. Crucially, late acceleration from Tim David and Jitesh Sharma, who added 42 runs in the final 19 balls, ensured RCB posted a formidable total.
Rajasthan Mount a Strong Chase
Rajasthan Royals began their pursuit aggressively, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal's quickfire 49 off just 19 balls. Alongside Nitish Rana, they propelled RR to a strong position at 110 for 2 after nine overs, seemingly on course for victory. However, RCB spinners Krunal Pandya (2/31) and Suyash Sharma bowled effectively through the middle phase, restricting the scoring rate and taking key wickets, including Riyan Parag and Rana, bringing RCB back into the contest.
Hazlewood's Superb Penultimate Over
The match remained finely poised entering the death overs. Despite Dhruv Jurel overcoming a slow start to find his range, RR still required 18 runs from the final 12 balls. Josh Hazlewood then delivered a truly match-defining 19th over. Bowling with exceptional control and utilizing the pitch's bounce, he conceded just a single run while claiming two vital wickets. He first dismissed the set batsman Jurel (47) caught behind off a faint edge from a wide yorker (confirmed via review) and then removed Jofra Archer next ball with a hard-length delivery, completely shifting the momentum.
Tasked with defending 17 runs in the final over, Yash Dayal bowled accurately under pressure, ensuring Rajasthan Royals fell short. Hazlewood finished with impressive figures of 4 for 33. This crucial victory ends RCB's wait for a win in front of their home supporters and lifts them into the top three on the points table. For Rajasthan Royals, another close defeat in the final stages.
