Hazlewood leads RCB to first home win in IPL 2025
Hazlewood set the tone as RCB finally secured their first home win in IPL 2025. After three failed attempts at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the team broke the jinx and earned crucial points. Alongside Hazlewood, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal played key roles in the victory. This win propelled RCB to third in the league table, while RR slipped to eighth, deepening their playoff worries. Here’s how the 399-run thriller unfolded.
RCB’s best start
The home team was asked to bat. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli never reached the 50-run mark for the first wicket. Salt has struggled to play consistent cricket throughout the season. However, RCB batters came with a game plan. They took their time and then attacked the bowlers. The first wicket stand added 61 runs. This was the first 50-run partnership between the two. Wanindu Hasaranga was able to provide the first break.
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Kohli-Padikkal laid the foundation for a big total
Devdutt Padikkal has shown some good form in recent matches. He continued his run by taking charge at the RCB bowlers. Virat Kohli also accelerated his innings by showing an aggressive form of cricket. This duo added 95 runs for the second wicket in 51 balls. Padikkal scored his 50 in just 26 balls. Kohli went out to score 70 at a healthy strike rate of 167.
Tim David was promoted up in the order. The Aussie took time and added 23 runs to the total. Jitesh Sharma played a cameo of 20 runs to take his side to 205. RCB lost five wickets in their innings. Sandeep took two, while Jofra and Hasaranga dismissed one batter each.
Flying start for the visitors
Rajasthan Royals needed a quick start to chase a huge total. Yashasvi Jaiswal opened with 14-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Jaiswal smashed the first ball of the innings for a six. He showed his intent from the wordplay. Vaibhav tried to smash six on the first ball like he did on his debut.
However, he was up against Bhuvi, who was not giving room to the youngster. These two added 52 runs for the first wicket before Bhuvi bowled the teenager on 16. He struggled a bit against top-quality bowlers. Jaiswal still attacked the bowlers, but he was dismissed on 49. He took just 19 balls to score these runs. RR had added 72 runs in the powerplay but lost both openers.
Hazlewood & Co. restrict RR batters.
RR batter continued their charge after the powerplay. Parag and Rana were adding runs at a good pace. Parag’s wicket came on the first ball of the 10th over. RR was on 110 at that time. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma bowled superb spells in the middle overs. RR’s run rate fell from 12 to under 10 runs per over.
Josh Hazlewood was the hero of the night. Bhuvi conceded 22 runs in the 18th over, and RR needed 18 in the last two. Hazlewood gave just one run in the 19th and dismissed two batters, including Jurel, who was settled on 47 runs. A superb last over by Yash Dayal sealed an 11-run victory for RCB. Hazlewood was awarded the Man of the Match award for taking four wickets.
