Kara Riggs By Kara Riggs, NZB News
21 April 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Match 37 of the Indian Premier League 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on 20 April 2025. Chasing 158, RCB reached the target in 18.5 overs, led by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 73 and Devdutt Padikkal’s 61. For New Zealand fans, Josh Hazlewood’s tight death bowling for RCB was a highlight, as they avenged their loss to PBKS two days prior.
Background Information
The IPL 2025 season has been unpredictable for both teams. Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, held second place with five wins from seven matches, boosted by a five-wicket win over RCB on 18 April at Chinnaswamy Stadium in a rain-affected game. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Rajat Patidar, sat fourth with four wins, their perfect away record contrasting with three straight home losses. The Mullanpur pitch, offering balance for batters and bowlers, typically supports scores around 170 to 180. New Zealand’s Josh Hazlewood has been a key performer for RCB, his pace troubling batters, while Punjab Kings’ depth, featuring Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh, has made them strong contenders. This rematch, following Punjab Kings’ recent victory, promised a fierce contest, with Kiwi fans eager to see Hazlewood’s impact after his three-wicket haul in the previous game.
Match Details
Teams: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
Date: 20 April 2025
Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and elected to bowl.
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by seven wickets.
Punjab Kings scored 157 for 6 in 20 overs, with Prabhsimran Singh’s 33 off 17 balls and Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 31 off 33 providing stability. RCB’s spinners, Krunal Pandya with 2 for 25 and Suyash Sharma with 2 for 26, kept Punjab Kings in check. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased 158 in 18.5 overs, finishing at 159 for 3, driven by Kohli’s 73 not out off 54 balls and Padikkal’s 61 off 35, with Jitesh Sharma’s 6 not out sealing the win.
Highlights
Punjab Kings started aggressively, with Prabhsimran’s quick 33 setting a brisk pace. Krunal Pandya dismissed Priyansh Arya for 14, and Suyash Sharma removed Shreyas Iyer for 22, leaving Punjab Kings at 46 for 2 after six overs. Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis, who scored 15, rebuilt, but Hazlewood’s miserly death bowling, conceding just one boundary in the last four overs alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar, restricted Punjab Kings to 157. RCB’s chase lost Phil Salt for 4 early to Arshdeep Singh, but Kohli and Padikkal’s 103-run partnership turned the tide. Padikkal’s 61, his 10th IPL fifty, was explosive, while Kohli’s 73 anchored the innings. Harpreet Brar dismissed Padikkal, but Jitesh Sharma’s six off Marco Jansen sealed the victory. Kohli earned Player of the Match for his chase mastery.
Records
Virat Kohli’s 73 not out marked his 67th fifty-plus IPL score, the most by any batter, surpassing David Warner. Devdutt Padikkal’s 61 was his first IPL fifty since 2023, scored off 35 balls, his 10th overall. The win maintained RCB’s perfect away record in IPL 2025, with five victories in five away matches.
Historical Data
RCB’s victory levelled the head-to-head at 17-17 in 34 IPL meetings, overturning Punjab Kings’ five-wicket win on 18 April. RCB have won four of six clashes against Punjab Kings at neutral venues. RCB’s three runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016 contrast with Punjab Kings’ 2014 final appearance. New Zealand players have shone, with Hazlewood taking 15 wickets in 14 IPL matches for RCB and Glenn Maxwell scoring 41 runs for Punjab Kings this season, though he was a fielding substitute in this match. The IPL’s global appeal saw nine Kiwis prioritise the tournament over a T20I series against Pakistan in March 2025.
Discussion
RCB’s clinical chase highlighted their batting depth. Kohli’s composed 73 and Padikkal’s aggressive 61 neutralised Punjab Kings’ bowlers, with Chahal, who went for 30 runs without a wicket, unable to replicate his earlier heroics. RCB’s spinners, Krunal and Suyash, outbowled Punjab Kings’ attack, while Hazlewood’s death bowling was decisive. Punjab Kings’ middle order, including Shashank Singh, struggled to accelerate, and their 157 was below par. For New Zealand fans, Hazlewood’s economical spell underscored his T20 prowess, though Punjab Kings’ openers tested him early. The quick rematch, two games in three days, tested both teams, with RCB’s squad rotation proving effective. RCB’s rise to third boosts their playoff chances, while Punjab Kings’ drop to fifth demands a swift response.
IPL 2025 Points Table (as of 21 April 2025)
As of 21 April 2025, Delhi Capitals lead with 10 points from 7 matches, 5 wins, 2 losses, and a net run rate of +0.700. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru follow with 8 points each from 8 matches, both with 4 wins and 4 losses, but Mumbai Indians are second with a net run rate of +0.150, while RCB are third at -0.100. Punjab Kings also have 8 points from 8 matches, 4 wins, and 4 losses, but sit fourth with a net run rate of +0.050. Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans each have 6 points from 7 matches, with 3 wins and 4 losses, ranked fifth to eighth with net run rates of +0.050, -0.050, -0.200, and -0.150, respectively. Sunrisers Hyderabad have 4 points from 7 matches, 2 wins, and 5 losses, with a net run rate of -0.350. Lucknow Super Giants are last with 4 points from 6 matches, 2 wins, 4 losses, and a net run rate of -0.600.
Orange Cap and Purple Cap Standings
The Orange Cap is held by Virat Kohli of RCB with 320 runs in 8 matches, his best being 73 not out. The Purple Cap is held by Yuzvendra Chahal of Punjab Kings with 17 wickets in 8 matches, his best being 4 for 20.
Next Matches Schedule
On 21 April 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders face Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, at 7:30 PM IST. On 22 April 2025, Rajasthan Royals play Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur at 7:30 PM IST. On 23 April 2025, Gujarat Titans meet Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM IST. On 24 April 2025, Punjab Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Mullanpur at 7:30 PM IST.
What’s Next?
Punjab Kings face Kolkata Knight Riders on 24 April 2025 in Mullanpur, where Chahal’s spin will be key against KKR’s aggressive batters. RCB take on Rajasthan Royals on the same day in Jaipur, aiming to maintain their away form against Jos Buttler’s in-form side. RCB will rely on Kohli, Padikkal, and Hazlewood, while Punjab Kings need Prabhsimran and Shreyas Iyer to fire. With both teams on eight points, the coming matches are critical for playoff qualification.
Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s seven-wicket win over Punjab Kings was a masterclass in chasing. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 73 and Devdutt Padikkal’s 61 powered RCB to 159 for 3, overcoming Punjab Kings’ 157 for 6, built on Prabhsimran Singh’s 33 and Shashank Singh’s 31 not out. Josh Hazlewood’s death bowling and RCB’s spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, were pivotal. The victory lifts RCB to third on the points table, while Punjab Kings slip to fifth. For New Zealand fans, Hazlewood’s performance was a standout. As RCB build momentum and Punjab Kings seek a rebound, IPL 2025 continues to deliver thrilling cricket.
