Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) slumped to their third defeat on the trot at home in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. On Friday, Punjab Kings (PBKS) hammered RCB by five wickets in the rain-curtailed 14-over match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After a lengthy delay, the match started at 9:45 PM IST, after which the Kings didn’t allow RCB much breathing space.
While RCB have won all their four away matches, their performances at home have been disastrous to say the least. In fact, RCB have lost seven matches in a row at the Chinnaswamy, since the women’s team, led by Smriti Mandhana, also couldn’t win any of their four matches in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Meanwhile, win the win, PBKS went to second in the table.
After being asked to bat first, RCB found themselves in dire straits, reduced to 42 for seven in just 8.2 overs. Apart from Rajat Patidar, none of their top six batters managed to reach double figures. Arshdeep Singh struck early by dismissing Phil Salt, a wicket that made him the leading wicket-taker for PBKS in IPL history. He then claimed the crucial scalp of Virat Kohli, who was unable to get going.
RCB endured a dismal powerplay, scoring just 26 runs in four overs while losing three wickets. Patidar attempted to inject some momentum with a brisk 23 off 18 balls, but Yuzvendra Chahal soon removed him. Manoj Bhandage, making his IPL debut as an Impact Player after Liam Livingstone was subbed out, scored only one before Marco Jansen trapped him plumb in front.
With the score at 47 for seven after 10 overs, Tim David stepped up and helped RCB post a somewhat respectable total of 95 for nine. The Australian batter launched a counter-attack, remaining unbeaten on 50 from 26 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes. In the final over, he took the attack to left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar, plundering 21 runs.
