Devdutt Padikkal’s explosive fifty and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 73 seal RCB’s fifth win of IPL 2025 as they avenge earlier defeat to PBKS and climb to third in the points table.
📍 Mullanpur, Punjab | April 20, 2025
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their brilliant away form with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 37 of the IPL 2025, played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, Mullanpur. This marks RCB’s fifth consecutive away win and places them third in the standings with 10 points from 8 matches. PBKS, despite having the same win-loss record, drop to fourth due to net run rate.
🔄 Match Summary
After winning the toss, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first, and his decision was backed by an impressive performance from RCB’s spinners.
🏏 PBKS Innings – 157/6 in 20 overs
PBKS began aggressively with openers Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (33) adding 42 runs quickly. However, Krunal Pandya halted their momentum, removing both openers and finishing with a tidy 2/25.
- RCB’s spin duo of Krunal Pandya (2/25) and Suyash Sharma (2/26) tightened the screws in the middle overs.
- Captain Shreyas Iyer (6) fell cheaply, and miscommunication led to Nehal Wadhera’s run out (5).
- Josh Inglis (29 off 17) offered some resistance before being bowled by Suyash Sharma, who also dismissed Marcus Stoinis (1).
- The late recovery came through Marco Jansen (25)* and *Shashank Singh (31)**, who added a steady unbeaten 41-run stand for the 7th wicket.
Top PBKS Scorers:
- Prabhsimran Singh – 33 (24)
- Shashank Singh – 31* (33)
- Josh Inglis – 29 (17)
🏏 RCB Innings – 159/3 in 18.5 overs
RCB had a rocky start with Phil Salt dismissed for just 1 by Arshdeep Singh in the opening over. But the early blow was absorbed beautifully by the experienced Virat Kohli and the young Devdutt Padikkal, who stitched a game-defining partnership.
- RCB reached 50/1 in just 5.5 overs and were 88/1 at the halfway mark.
- Padikkal raced to his first fifty of the season in just 30 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes before falling for 61 off 35 balls.
- The 103-run partnership with Kohli laid the foundation for an easy chase.
- Kohli anchored the innings, bringing up his 67th IPL fifty and fourth of this season, staying unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls (8 fours, 1 six).
- Brief cameos from Rajat Patidar (12) and Jitesh Sharma (11)* ensured RCB crossed the finish line with 7 wickets and 7 balls to spare.
⭐ Player of the Match:
Devdutt Padikkal – 61 (35) with a 174+ strike rate, stitching a 100+ partnership with Kohli to break PBKS’s home momentum.
📈 Points Table Impact
With this victory:
- RCB jump to 3rd place with 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses).
- PBKS slip to 4th despite the same record due to a lower net run rate.
- RCB have also avenged their earlier 5-wicket home defeat against PBKS on April 18, turning the tide in Mullanpur.
🧠 Tactical Highlights
- RCB’s spin strategy worked perfectly, exploiting the slower surface.
- Kohli’s control combined with Padikkal’s aggression gave RCB a well-balanced chase.
- PBKS’s middle-order collapse after the powerplay hurt their chances of a 180+ total.
📝 Brief Scores:
- PBKS: 157/6 (Prabhsimran 33, Shashank 31*, Krunal Pandya 2/25, Suyash Sharma 2/26)
- RCB: 159/3 in 18.5 overs (Kohli 73*, Padikkal 61, Harpreet Brar 1/27)
📌 Tags:
IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Suyash Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, T20 Cricket, Match Report