It was a run-fest at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) unleashed a clinical batting performance against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 42 of the IPL 2025. After RR skipper Riyan Parag opted to bowl first, the decision quickly backfired as RCB’s top order turned on the heat, taking full advantage of a batting-friendly surface.
Opening the innings, Phil Salt got a lucky break early when Parag himself spilt a straightforward chance while the English batter was on just one. Salt made the most of the reprieve, scoring 26 off 23 balls with four boundaries and giving RCB a solid start alongside Virat Kohli. The duo added 61 runs for the first wicket, setting the platform for what turned out to be a daunting total.
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Once Salt departed, Devdutt Padikkal joined Kohli and the two continued the assault with a 95-run partnership that came off just 51 deliveries. Padikkal looked in sublime touch, reaching yet another half-century this season. His innings ended in the 16th over when he miscued a lofted shot off Sandeep Sharma, and Nitish Rana took a juggling catch inside the circle before breaking into a comical celebratory pose while lying flat on the turf.
Never let it go 👌
Nitish Rana holds onto a juggling catch ☝️#RR strike back with quick wickets 👏
Updates ▶ https://t.co/mtgySHgAjc #TATAIPL | #RCBvRR | @NitishRana_27 | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/kPXRGJkmEY
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 24, 2025
Virat Kohli was the linchpin once again, anchoring the innings with a classy 70 off 42 balls, peppered with eight boundaries and two sixes. His knock ended when he tried to up the ante and offered a straightforward catch to Rana, giving Jofra Archer his only wicket of the evening.
RCB lost a bit of momentum with the quick dismissals of Rajat Patidar for 1 and Padikkal, but Tim David and Jitesh Sharma ensured a powerful finish. David struck 23 off 15, while Jitesh remained unbeaten on 20 off just 10 deliveries. Their efforts took RCB to an imposing 205/5 in 20 overs.
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For Rajasthan Royals, Sandeep Sharma was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 45, while Archer finished with a respectable 1/33. With a target of 206 on the board, RR now face a stiff challenge—not just to win the match, but to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
