A clinical all-round performance from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by explosive fifties from Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, sealed a dominant nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their IPL 2025 clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Sunday.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB restricted RR to 173/4, despite a fluent 75 from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and a crucial unbeaten 35 from Dhruv Jurel. RCB chased down the target in just 17.3 overs, thanks to a blistering start from Salt and an anchoring knock by Kohli.

RCB’s Run Chase: A Power-Packed Start

Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli gave RCB a flying start, adding 65 runs in the powerplay. Salt led the assault, smashing 46 runs off just 23 balls in the first six overs. He brought up his half-century in the eighth over and continued to dominate until he was dismissed for a quickfire 65 off 33 balls by Kumar Kartikeya. His innings included five fours and six towering sixes.

After Salt’s departure in the ninth over, Devdutt Padikkal joined Kohli and the duo carried forward the momentum. Kohli played a measured knock, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. He brought up his third fifty of the season – and 100th in T20s – with a classy straight six off Wanindu Hasaranga in the 15th over.

Padikkal accelerated in the final stretch, scoring 40 off 28 balls, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 62 off 45 deliveries. Their unbeaten 83-run stand for the second wicket guided RCB to 174/1 in 17.3 overs.

RR’s Innings: Jaiswal Stands Tall Amid Inconsistency

Earlier, RR openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson gave the hosts a steady start, finishing the powerplay at 45/0. However, Samson struggled for fluency and was dismissed for a sluggish 15 off 19 balls by Krunal Pandya in the seventh over.

Jaiswal, unfazed at the other end, anchored the innings with fluent stroke play. Partnering with Riyan Parag, he brought up his second fifty of the season in the 13th over. The duo added a 50-run stand before Parag fell for 30 (22) in the 14th over to Yash Dayal.

Trying to accelerate, Jaiswal perished in the 16th over for 75 off 47 balls, laced with ten fours and two sixes. Dhruv Jurel (35* off 23) finished strong alongside Shimron Hetmyer (6), helping RR reach a competitive 173/4.

Bowling and Fielding Highlights

RCB’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal taking one each. Suyash Sharma was unlucky, finishing wicketless despite beating the bat often. RCB’s fielding was below par, marked by seven misfields and multiple dropped catches, including a sitter by Virat Kohli.

For RR, only Kumar Kartikeya (1/25) managed to strike with the ball. The rest of the bowling unit was put to the sword by the in-form RCB batters.

Brief Scores:

Rajasthan Royals: 173/4 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 75, Dhruv Jurel 35*; Krunal Pandya 1/29)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 174/1 in 17.3 overs (Phil Salt 65, Virat Kohli 62*; Kumar Kartikeya 1/25)

Result: RCB won by 9 wickets

Player of the Match: Phil Salt

(With ANI News)