Punjab Kings Stun Royal Challengers Bangalore 18th April
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a gripping, rain-curtailed encounter yesterday, April 18th, as the Punjab Kings (PBKS) emerged victorious against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Match 34 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. In a match reduced to 14 overs per side due to persistent rain, PBKS showcased their bowling might to restrict RCB to a modest total before chasing it down with composure.
Match Summary:
- Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings, Match 34, IPL 2025
- Date: April 18, 2025
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Result: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets (in a 14-over match)
- Toss: Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to field first.
RCB Innings: A Batting Collapse Rescued by Tim David’s Heroics (95/9 in 14 overs)
Put in to bat under overcast skies, RCB’s innings got off to a disastrous start. The PBKS pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen wreaked havoc, dismantling the top order. Key wickets of Phil Salt (4), Virat Kohli (1), and Krunal Pandya (1) fell cheaply within the powerplay, leaving RCB reeling.
The middle order failed to provide stability, with Liam Livingstone (4) and Jitesh Sharma (2) also succumbing quickly. Skipper Rajat Patidar (23 off 18) showed some resilience but couldn’t anchor the innings. At a precarious 63/9, RCB looked set for a very low total.
However, Tim David staged a remarkable counter-attack. His blistering unbeaten 50 off just 26 balls, studded with 3 fours and 5 towering sixes, single-handedly dragged RCB to a somewhat respectable total of 95/9 in their allotted 14 overs.
PBKS Innings: Composed Chase Despite Hazlewood’s Fire (98/5 in 12.1 overs)
Chasing a revised target, PBKS also faced early setbacks thanks to a fiery spell from RCB’s Josh Hazlewood. He dismissed both openers, Priyansh Arya (16) and Josh Inglis (14), along with captain Shreyas Iyer (7), finishing with an impressive figures of 3/14. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also chipped in with two crucial wickets.
Despite the early wobble, Nehal Wadhera played a mature and composed innings of unbeaten 33 off 19 balls, guiding his team towards the target. He found crucial support from Marcus Stoinis (7)*, who finished the game with a boundary, securing a 5-wicket victory for Punjab Kings with 11 balls to spare.
Key Moments:
- PBKS’s Dominant Bowling Start: Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen’s early breakthroughs put RCB on the back foot immediately.
- Tim David’s Counter-Attack: His explosive half-century provided RCB with a fighting chance after a top-order collapse.
- Josh Hazlewood’s Fiery Spell: His three wickets kept RCB in the game and put pressure on the PBKS chase.
- Nehal Wadhera’s Composed Innings: His mature knock anchored the PBKS chase and ensured victory.
Top Performers:
- Batsman with Most Runs (RCB): Tim David (50*)
- Batsman with Most Runs (PBKS): Nehal Wadhera (33*)
- Bowler with Most Wickets (RCB): Josh Hazlewood (3/14)
- Bowler with Most Wickets (PBKS): Arshdeep Singh (2/23), Marco Jansen (2/10), Harpreet Brar (2/25)
- Player of the Match: Tim David (RCB) for his valiant half-century.
Turning Point:
RCB’s top-order collapse in the initial overs proved to be the turning point. Despite Tim David’s heroic effort, the lack of support from the other end meant they couldn’t set a challenging target.
Impact:
This victory will be a significant morale booster for Punjab Kings, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure, especially their bowling attack. For Royal Challengers Bangalore, this loss will raise questions about their batting consistency, particularly in challenging conditions.
Updated IPL 2025 Points Table:
(Please note: The exact points table standings would need to be updated based on all matches played up to April 19, 2025. However, this win would likely place PBKS in a strong position.)
Conclusion:
Yesterday’s rain-affected clash at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. While Tim David’s brilliance shone for RCB, it was the disciplined bowling performance of Punjab Kings and Nehal Wadhera’s composed chase that ultimately secured them a crucial victory in IPL 2025.
