It’s happened again! Rajasthan Royals squandered another golden opportunity to seal two points, falling just short in a thrilling finish as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first home win of the IPL 2025 season. Fifties from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal powered RCB to 205/5, a target that seemed well within reach for the Royals after a fiery PowerPlay and a late flourish from Dhruv Jurel. But it was Josh Hazlewood’s outstanding penultimate over that flipped the script, sealing a dramatic 11-run win and breaking RCB’s home hoodoo, reports Live Cricket Score.
Where was the game won?
The 39th over of the contest. Dhruv Jurel had just dismantled Bhuvneshwar Kumar, hammering 22 off the 18th over and putting Royals in control needing just 18 from 12. But Hazlewood’s return changed everything. Two dot balls, a faint edge caught via a smart review, and a first-ball wicket of Jofra Archer turned the tide. Hazlewood gave away just one run in the over and bagged two wickets. Yash Dayal then kept his nerve in the final over to complete the heist.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU
PowerPlay – Kohli & Padikkal make a statement
Phase Score: 59/0 [RR: 9.83 | 4s/6s: 9/0]
Jofra Archer’s opening over showed there was bounce on the pitch but also gave away five wides. After a dropped catch early on, Kohli capitalised, finding the gaps regularly. Tushar Deshpande was taken apart with three boundaries as RCB finally got the dream start they had been missing at home.
Middle Overs – The Kohli-Padikkal show
Phase Score: 97/1 [RR: 10.77 | 4s/6s: 7/5]
Wanindu Hasaranga struck early in this phase, sending Phil Salt back. But after a brief slowdown, Padikkal found his rhythm while Kohli got a couple of fortuitous boundaries off Sandeep Sharma to bring up yet another IPL fifty. The duo then launched a six-hitting spree, smashing five maximums in two overs to push RCB past 150 in no time.
Death Overs – Royals claw back
Phase Score: 49/3 [RR: 9.8 | 4s/6s: 6/1]
RCB looked set for 220+ until Kohli fell trying to up the ante. Sandeep Sharma removed both Padikkal and Patidar in a single over, halting the momentum. But late hits from Jitesh Sharma and Tim David were enough to push RCB past the 200-mark — their first at home this season.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
PowerPlay – Jaiswal goes berserk
Phase Score: 72/2 [RR: 12 | 4s/6s: 7/6]
Yashasvi Jaiswal wasted no time, smashing Bhuvneshwar for a six off the first ball and then targeting Yash Dayal. He welcomed Hazlewood with three crisp boundaries and despite losing Vaibhav Suryavanshi early, Jaiswal kept going. His blistering 19-ball 49 gave the Royals a blazing start, but his dismissal to a short ball from Hazlewood was a momentum killer.
Middle Overs – Tightly contested
Phase Score: 76/2 [RR: 8.44 | 4s/6s: 7/3]
Riyan Parag and Nitish Rana kept the scoreboard ticking with aggressive strokes, especially targeting Romario Shepherd. However, Krunal Pandya’s clever variations turned the tide. He dismissed Parag and tightened the screws with Suyash Sharma. Rana’s dismissal trying to force the issue added pressure. Jurel’s six to end the phase kept hopes alive, with 58 needed off the final five.
Death Overs – Hazlewood’s magic steals the show
Phase Score: 46/5 [RR: 9.2 | 4s/6s: 3/3]
Jurel took on Krunal again to bring the equation down to 46 off 24. Hazlewood’s return saw the back of Hetmyer, and despite Jurel taking 22 off Bhuvneshwar, the veteran Aussie had the final say. Two wickets in two balls, including Jurel’s, crushed the Royals’ hopes. With 17 needed off the final over, Shubham Dubey’s first-ball dismissal sealed the deal for RCB.
Brief Scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 205/5 in 20 overs
(Kohli 70, Padikkal 50; Sandeep Sharma 2/45)
Rajasthan Royals: 194/9 in 20 overs
(Jaiswal 49, Jurel 47; Hazlewood 4/33)
➡️ RCB won by 11 runs
What’s Next?
Having finally broken the home jinx, RCB will aim to carry this momentum to Delhi, where they’ll face another confident outfit on Sunday. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, return home to lick their wounds and prepare to host Gujarat Titans in what’s fast becoming a must-win encounter.
