Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) preserved their robust away record with a sound nine-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the first match of the 2025 IPL season in Jaipur. While RR’s Yashasvi Jaiswal was batting well with his 75, they could only create a total of 173, which they could not defend as RCB marched to victory by mastering the chase with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, ten balls to spare. It was about two rival philosophies. RCB’s approach of coming out to ambush early and having their batting line carry deep, was productive, while RR’s conservative style and late middle-order inadequacy ultimately let them fall short again.
Salt Turns Up the Heat
Phil Salt found his grove for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, smashing 65 runs off just 33 balls, providing a masterclass of controlled aggression. With his eye on the shorter boundaries and leg-side fields, Salt attacked RR’s premier bowler Jofra Archer, a former teammate expended during their time in Barbados. Salt hit 11 boundaries, effectively laying the groundwork for the chase.
Meanwhile, at the other end was Virat Kohli, who played the anchor role to perfection. His knock of 62 not out ensured no hiccups in the chase, while also providing Kohli with his 100th T20 half-century, an important personal milestone in a decorated career. Together the two put on an opening stand of 92 runs, effectively batting RR out of the game. RCB was sloppy in the field, dropping four catches, but RCB’s batting was more than enough to cover those errors.
Jaiswal’s Solo Show
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the only positive for Rajasthan on the day. His 75 runs off of 47 balls were a display of audacious strokeplay on a slow track. He played all around the ground, reverse sweeping the spinners and scooping the pacers, including a brilliant shot off of Hazlewood which was the shot of the innings. Unfortunately, he did not receive much support from the other side. Captain Sanju Samson could not find the rhythm at all, scoring just 15 runs off 19 balls, while Dhruv Jurel, despite a late burst of runs, could not produce the needed fireworks at the end.
Bowling and Strategies Narrate the Tale
RCB’s bowlers performed their plans appropriately on a slow pitch. Krunal Pandya and Yash Dayal were key cogs, restricting the run rate and taking vital wickets in the middle overs. Dayal’s back-of-the-hand slower ball to dismiss Riyan Parag was a pivotal moment in the game, stopping RR’s momentum. Instead, Rajasthan’s bowling had no teeth, and the fielding issues only compounded their issues. They missed numerous catches, and the conservative batting strategy offered no margin for error, which is a bold tactic in T20 cricket.
What’s Next?
RCB’s win only confirms their status as early contenders for the title with a team that can chase down any total and patch any recurring fielding issues. For RR, it is back to the drawing board. Unless they strengthen the middle order, and change their outlook, they will always need near-perfect performances to stay in the hunt.
Scorecard: RR vs RCB, 28th Match, Jaipur, Apr 13 2025
- Rajasthan Royals: 173/5 (Jaiswal 75, Jurel 35*; Krunal 1-29)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 175/1 in 17.3 overs (Salt 65, Kohli 62*, Kartikeya 1-25)
- Result: RCB won by 9 wickets
Player of the Match: Phil Salt
Read More: RCB vs DC Match Scorecard IPL 2025
