Kohli and Padikkal Guide RCB their Fifth Win
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their remarkable unbeaten run away from home in the 2025 Indian Premier League, securing their fifth victory with a comfortable performance against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur on Sunday, April 20th. Less than two days after a home defeat, RCB bounced back strongly, first restricting Punjab Kings to a manageable total before executing a clinical run chase led by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.
RCB Spinners Curtail Punjab
Opting to field first after winning the toss, RCB faced an aggressive start from the Punjab Kings openers. Prabhsimran Singh (33) and Priyansh Arya led PBKS to a strong powerplay score of 62 for 1. RCB's spinners then effectively applied the brakes during the middle overs. Krunal Pandya (2/25) and Suyash Sharma (2/26) bowled with control, picking up crucial wickets and restricting the scoring rate significantly. Despite a late contribution from Shashank Singh (31*), disciplined death bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar ensured Punjab Kings finished with a total of 157 for 6.
Kohli and Padikkal efforts Anchors Victory
RCB's pursuit of 158 began with the early loss of Phil Salt, dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. However, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal then combined for a decisive 103-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively neutralizing the Punjab bowling attack. Padikkal, finding form after a lean period, played the aggressor role initially, scoring a vital 61 off just 35 balls – his first IPL half-century since May 2023. Kohli, meanwhile, played a masterclass in chasing, initially rotating the strike before accelerating seamlessly. He reached his own half-century off 43 balls and remained unbeaten on 73 off 54 deliveries, guiding his team home. This innings marked Kohli's 67th score of fifty or more in the IPL, the highest by any batsman in the league's history.
Despite Padikkal falling after his fifty, Kohli ensured there were no further alarms. RCB reached the target with seven wickets and seven balls to spare, solidifying their position in third place on the points table.
