RCB’s Hopes for a Top-2 Finish in IPL 2025 Hang by a Thread
Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed a crucial chance to secure a top-two spot in the IPL 2025 standings, succumbing to a 42-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. The match, held in New Delhi, saw RCB chasing a substantial target of 232 runs, bolstered by Ishan Kishan’s explosive unbeaten 94 off 48 balls. Despite a promising start, RCB’s batting lineup faltered, ultimately finishing their innings at 189 runs, marking their first away loss of the season.
RCB’s innings kicked off with high hopes as Phil Salt and Virat Kohli set the pace early on. The duo raced to 80 runs within the first seven overs, with Kohli leading the charge after his recent retirement from Test cricket. He scored 43 runs off just 25 balls, showcasing his intent with two fours and a six. However, the innings took a downturn when Kohli fell to Harsh Dubey, a notable left-arm spinner who has been in excellent form. This marked a concerning statistic for Kohli, as it was the 22nd time he had been dismissed by left-arm spin in T20 matches. Salt, who initially struggled, later found his rhythm, scoring a quickfire 62 runs off 32 balls before succumbing to cramps and being dismissed by Pat Cummins.
Despite several promising partnerships, RCB’s batting began to unravel as they approached the latter stages of their innings. After a brisk 44-run stand between Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, a disastrous mix-up saw Patidar run out, which was a significant turning point. The dismissal of key players in quick succession, including Jitesh and Tim David, who seemed to be nursing a hamstring injury, left RCB reeling. They ultimately lost their last seven wickets for just 60 runs, with Cummins leading the bowling attack for SRH with remarkable figures of 3/28.
With this loss, RCB now finds themselves in a precarious position in the league standings. They dropped to third place with 17 points, trailing behind the Gujarat Titans and the Punjab Kings, both of whom are vying for the top spots. The defeat complicates RCB’s aspirations for a top-two finish, as they will need favorable outcomes in other matches to secure their position, even if they win their final league game. The pressure mounts as the tournament nears its conclusion, leaving fans anxious about RCB’s next steps in this competitive season.
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