IPL 2025: Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen Rescue PBKS With Unbeaten Stand To Post 157/6 Against RCB

April 20: In a dramatic turn of events at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) crumbled under pressure despite a blazing start against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their crucial IPL 2025 clash. Electing to field first, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar’s decision paid rich dividends as the hosts were restricted to a modest total despite early fireworks.

Openers Prabhsimran Singh (33) and Priyansh Arya (22) came out all guns blazing, hammering the RCB bowlers to give PBKS a flying start. The duo took the team to 45/0 in just four overs, setting the stage for a big total. But cricket’s unpredictable script soon flipped.

The introduction of spin and disciplined bowling triggered a collapse. Skipper Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply for 6, while last match’s star, Nehal Wadhera, suffered a disastrous run-out after a mix-up with Josh Inglis. From 52/0, PBKS slumped to 79/4 at the halfway mark, losing control of the innings.

RCB’s young spinner Suyash Sharma then delivered a game-changing over, clean bowling both Inglis (29) and Marcus Stoinis (1), plunging PBKS deeper into trouble. His sharp googlies and deceptive flight left the middle order gasping for breath.

With the scoreboard reading a worrying 100/6, Shashank Singh (31 off 33) and Marco Jansen (25 off 20) dug deep to rebuild the innings. Their gritty partnership helped the Kings cross the 150-run mark, offering some hope to the home crowd.

Still, the momentum clearly swung in RCB’s favor, with bowlers like Suyash, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood keeping the PBKS batters in check throughout.

RCB now head into the chase with a powerful lineup featuring Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, and captain Patidar himself. But with Chahal and Arshdeep ready to unleash their arsenal, Punjab Kings aren’t out of it just yet.

Can the Bengaluru batters script a clinical chase, or will Punjab’s bowlers stage a stunning fightback on home soil?

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