IPL 2025: Rain delayed the start of the IPL match on Friday, cutting it down to 14 overs per side. It finally began at 9:45 PM, and Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bowl first – a decision that worked well. Royal Challengers Bengaluru struggled under pressure to score quickly and were held to just 95 for nine, despite a fast fifty from Tim David.
RCB Struggles Under Pressure, Falls to 95/9
Punjab’s bowlers started strong, taking three wickets in the first four overs, which was the shortened powerplay. Phil Salt hit a nice boundary to begin with but got out in the very first over, trying to hit Arshdeep Singh for a big shot. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis took a sharp catch to dismiss him.
Virat Kohli didn’t stay at the crease for long either. He was dismissed when Marco Jansen ran about 20 meters back to take a brilliant catch off Arshdeep Singh’s bowling.
Soon after, fast bowler Xavier Bartlett added to the pressure by getting Liam Livingstone out.
Liam Livingstone tried to hit Xavier Bartlett over the covers, but the ball was a bit outside his off-stump, and he couldn’t time the shot properly. Priyansh Arya took a comfortable catch at cover.
Tim David’s Powerful Fifty Fails to Save RCB
RCB’s powerplay score was a poor 26 for 3.
Yuzvendra Chahal (2/11) made a strong return to Chinnaswamy Stadium, his former IPL home, by getting rid of Jitesh Sharma.
Amidst the collapse, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar played a few stylish shots, including a six over mid-wicket off Bartlett. But soon after, he was dismissed for 23 (18 balls), caught by Bartlett at sweeper cover off Chahal’s delivery, which had good flight and length.
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Marco Jansen (2/10) also impressed with short balls, taking out Krunal Pandya and Impact Sub Manoj Bhandage as RCB’s innings fell apart.
Despite a few big hits from Tim David (50 not out, 26 balls), including three consecutive sixes off Harpreet Brar, RCB could only manage 32 more runs for the final wicket between David and Josh Hazlewood in 14 balls.
Maiden #TATAIPL fifty for Tim David 👊
Relive his three consecutive sixes 🚀
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/7fIn60rqKZ #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/iGtby4FPTy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025
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