IPL 2025: Kohli, Hazlewood Lead RCB to Dramatic First Home Win as Royals Falter Yet Again

IPL 2025: Kohli, Hazlewood Lead RCB to Dramatic First Home Win as Royals Falter Yet Again

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their home jinx in IPL 2025, pulling off a thrilling 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-scoring clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli’s composed half-century laid the platform before Josh Hazlewood produced a sensational 19th over to secure a victory that seemed to be slipping away once again.

RCB posted 205 for 5, their highest total at home this season, courtesy of fifties from Kohli (70) and Devdutt Padikkal (50), and a brisk finish by Tim David and Jitesh Sharma. In response, RR’s chase was on track until Hazlewood intervened with a match-turning penultimate over, conceding just one run and picking up two wickets — including the dangerous Dhruv Jurel and Jofra Archer — to turn the tide.

Earlier in the chase, RR had recovered from the early loss of Jos Buttler, thanks to a blistering 49 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a fluent knock by Nitish Rana. At 110 for 2 in just nine overs, they looked in command. However, Krunal Pandya turned the game with a key breakthrough and economical spell, removing Riyan Parag and Rana while applying the squeeze in the middle overs.

Hazlewood, though, stole the spotlight. His 19th over, hailed as one of the finest in recent memory, saw Jurel edge behind off a pinpoint wide yorker, followed immediately by Archer miscuing a short delivery to cover. Hazlewood finished with figures of 4 for 33, including the earlier dismissal of Shimron Hetmyer.

Jurel’s late fightback — 47 off 33 balls — briefly brought RR within touching distance, especially after he and Shubham Dubey took 22 off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 18th over. But with 18 needed off the final two overs, Hazlewood’s brilliance sealed RR’s fate. Yash Dayal then closed the match out with a composed final over, handing RR their fifth consecutive loss.

Kohli’s innings earlier was his first home fifty this season. He overcame a nervy start against Archer’s pace, growing in confidence as the innings progressed. Padikkal, dropped twice, made the Royals pay with his second consecutive half-century. Although RR struck back late with quick wickets, a 42-run stand in the final overs between David and Jitesh helped RCB post a total that proved just enough.

The victory propels RCB into the top three of the IPL 2025 table, reigniting their playoff hopes. For Rajasthan Royals, however, the loss marks another painful chapter in a season rapidly slipping away.

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