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| kohli and padikkal during match vs PBKS in ipl 2025 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the 37th match of IPL 2025 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) with seven wickets at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on April 20, 2025. The team achieved victory by scoring 159/3 in 18.5 overs while targeting 158 runs.
Match Overview : PBKS vs RCB
Through fielding first RCB took advantage of their opponents' batting attempt which resulted in PBKS scoring 157 runs and six wickets lost. The opening partnership between PBKS batters Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh fueled a speedy start which ended when RCB's spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma brought control to the game. Two wickets and 25 runs earned Pandya while Sharma achieved the same feat with his 2 wickets for 26 runs to slow down PBKS's batting performance.
RCB started their run chase off poorly when Phil Salt became the first batter to fall during the innings. The strong batting collaboration between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal helped RCB recover their innings and reach their target. During their 103-run partnership Padikkal scored 61 runs from his 35 balls while Kohli remained not out at 73. Kohli took charge of the innings by hitting his 67th IPL fifty and remained not out at 73 to lead RCB to a comfortable 13-ball victory
PBKS Innings : Early Momentum Fades
RCB made the choice to start the match by bowling after winning the coin toss. The opening duo of PBKS consisting of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh started the innings with 42 runs. Spinner Krunal Pandya (2/25) and Suyash Sharma (2/26) from RCB controlled the scoring rate effectively. The quick elimination of Prabhsimran (33) and Marcus Stoinis (1) led to critical wickets falling after each other. The late partnership between Shashank Singh (31*) and Marco Jansen (25*) failed to prevent PBKS from ending their innings at 157/6.
Padikkal's and Kohli's batting brilliance led RCB to a successful chase :
The chase started off uncertainly for RCB when Phil Salt got out early in the innings. Padikkal teamed up with Kohli to create a strong 103-run stand at the batting crease. Padikkal accomplished his half century by hitting thirty balls during his powerful batting display. Kohli continued batting after his 61-run innings to guide the team until he reached his 67th IPL fifty. The target of 159/3 was reached by RCB in 18.5 overs.
Virat Kohli: The Quintessential Chase Master :
The way Virat Kohli played his innings during that match showcased his expertise in chasing under tense situations. He scored 73 not out from 54 balls by hitting eight boundaries and one six during this precise timing-based innings. The match performance increased his season total of fifty scores to four while solidifying his position as a top-class chaser in cricket.
Throughout his career Virat Kohli has demonstrated exceptional skills when building innings in chase situations. Through his strategic yet forceful batting style he maintains complete awareness of the match tempo which enables him to adapt to any playing situation. His performance in the match demonstrated how his unmatched strength and tactical insights continue to contribute to his skills as a player.
RCB achieved success through their strategic leadership combined with team cooperative behavior :
The success of RCB depended on both individual outstanding play and well-designed strategies together with united team effort. The team's first batting choice took advantage of early pitch conditions before the bowlers implemented successful plans against PBKS. The batting order demonstrated its ability to create stable alliances when needed to sustain the pursuit of victory.
Early wicket losses did not halt the team because they demonstrated both resilience and tactical flexibility by creating large partnerships. The victory showed both their ability to retaliate against PBKS from their previous defeat and their progress as a single tactical entity.
Implications for the IPL 2025 Season :
The triumph elevated RCB to occupy the third position in the league standings where they showed five wins against three defeats. The team demonstrates strong playoff potential because they maintain their winning streak in away matches. RCB demonstrates strong tournament potential through the outstanding performance of Kohli and Padikkal together with their strategic bowling plan.
The defeat offers PBKS an opportunity to review their approaches while working on correcting their organization weaknesses. The team demonstrates occasional brilliant play but consistency remains essential for future success throughout the season.
Conclusion :
The seven-wicket victory of RCB against PBKS showcased both strategic team organization and individual skill combined with unified team performance. Virat Kohli demonstrated his role as the 'Chase Master' by playing composed innings which led his team to an important victory. RCB enters the IPL 2025 tournament with experienced players and promising newcomers to become serious contenders for winning the championship.
Brief Scores :
PBKS Innings : 157/ 6 Prabhsimran Singh 33 off 17 Balls (5 Fours And 1 Six) , Shashank SIngh* 31 off 33 Balls (1 Four).
RCB Bowling : Krunal Pandya 2/25 (4 Overs), Suyash Sharma 2/26 (4 Overs)
RCB Innings : 159/3 (18.5 Overs) Virat Kohli 73* off 54 Balls (7 Fours And 1 Six), Devdutt Padikkal ( 5 fours And 4 Sixes).
PBKS Bowling : Arshdeep SIngh 1/26 (3 Overs), Harpreet Brar 1/24 (4 Overs).
Player Of the Match : Virat Kohli
Result : Royal Challengers Bengaluru Won by 7 Wickets.
