Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match-28 Results

Right then, another game in a blockbuster weekend of the 2025 IPL has come to an end and RCB have now climbed up to the 3rd spot in the points table with 8 points from 6 games. There's one more game to come before the weekend ends, and it is between the unbeaten Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians up in Delhi. DC have elected to bowl first in that game, and you can simply switch tabs and check our coverage of that one. Cheers!

Phil Salt is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb knock. He says that he is always pleased to contribute to the team’s win, especially, this venue was slightly different from where he plays in Bengaluru. Adds that he just tried to hit Jofra Archer into the off side earlier, but he realized that it is not that easy and changed his approach to play to the leg side more. Mentions that he has batted against Jofra a lot in the nets, and he knows how to play against him, and it was nice to score some boundaries against him. States that the wicket was on the slower side, and he took that opportunity to just kill the game in Powerplay. He says that Rajasthan played well, but their bowlers changed the momentum in their side back in the death overs, and he thinks that the score of 173 was good.

Rajat Patidar, the RCB captain, says that it was really amazing to see the bowlers execute their plans in the first innings. Adds that the way they bowled in the Powerplay was special, and they were targeting to keep the opposition somewhere between 150-170. Goes on to applaud the bowlers further, mentioning that the ability to execute on every surface is what gives him confidence. On Phil Salt, Rajat says that the way he was hitting the ball seemed really special. Ends by saying that he is happy to keep winning on the road but feels they are a team that doesn't keep the surface in mind much.

The Presentation ceremony...

Devdutt Padikkal of RCB is up for a quick chat. He says that he is trying to bat differently as he has batted the last two-three years and is trying to change his gameplay to play a bit aggressively. Adds that he has tried to be in the space where he can play technically well, and Dinesh Karthik and Andy have worked with him in that to help him. States that he enjoys playing for RCB, and he wants to perform just like that for them in the future as well. Mentions that it is just a coincidence as they have won just away games so far, and they have played good cricket even in home ones too, but they were a bit unlucky there where one or two overs changed the games. He hopes to win those games at home as well.

Rajasthan Royals' skipper, Sanju Samson, is down for a chat. Samson says the first ten overs were a bit hard to bat in the first innings, and 170 was a fighting total. Adds that they knew Phil Salt and Virat Kohli would come hard in the Powerplay, and they took the game away from them. Mentions that catches win matches, but both teams dropped catches, and these things happen in cricket. Says that they wanted to take this till the 19th or 20th over, but RCB batted really well, and toss played a bit of a factor as well. Further adds that they are in a good state as a team and will try to come back stronger in the next set of games.

Earlier in the game, Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to field first on a hot afternoon, but the decision was more because of the pitch, which seemed slow. It turned out to be a good decision as runs were hard to come by and RCB managed to pick up an early wicket as well. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal got set and was able to go after the bowlers, and RR started to fight back in the middle overs. RCB did stem the flow of runs with a couple of wickets, but Dhruv Jurel played a handy knock at the death to take the Royals over the 170-run mark.

Rajasthan Royals must have thought that they were in the game heading into the innings break, but soon enough, they were put on the back foot. Jofra Archer bowled a good first over but still went for a couple of boundaries, and from then on, there was no coming back as the opposition batters kept finding the fence. Just like the first innings, there were multiple dropped catches and decisive ones as well. The Impact sub, Kumar Kartikeya, was the only bowler who showed any promise and picked up a wicket, but eventually, RR were well beaten.

173 isn't the biggest score to chase down, given how the T20 game has evolved, but the pitch was on the slower side, and one needed to make full use of the new, hard ball. That is exactly what the RCB openers did. Phil Salt, in particular, was impressive as he took on the bowlers and hit plenty of boundaries inside the Powerplay, which yielded 65 runs. Salt got to his half-century but fell on 65, after which Virat Kohli took the reins and picked up the pace. Devdutt Padikkal, at the other end, went straight into 5th gear and made sure the bowlers weren't allowed a way back in. Kohli went on to notch up a 100th T20 half-century, just the 2nd male batter to do so after David Warner, as RCB cruised through to the win.

RCB STAY UNBEATEN ON THE ROAD! What a dominant display from the Royal Challengers to bring up a fourth straight away win of the season, and the blemishes of the Chinaswamy have yet again been washed away. This is the first time that RCB have won their first four away games of the season in IPL history. As for Rajasthan Royals, they slump to a 4th defeat in 6 games and will be itching to bounce back.

Sandeep Sharma to Devdutt Padikkal, Four!FOUR! RCB WIN BY 9 WICKETS WITH 15 BALLS TO SPARE! That has been a pretty one-sided win for them. On a good length and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal stands tall and cuts it. He finds the gap through point for a boundary to seal the match.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, 1 run.In the air... but falls just ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Back of a length and outside off, with pace taken off. Virat Kohli looks to cut it but gets a bit of top edge that goes to deep cover. Jaiswal runs in forward and puts in a dive to catch it, but the ball just lands ahead of him, and the batters run for a single.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.Short of a length and around off, Kohli pulls it out to deep mid-wicket and picks up two runs there.

Jofra Archer to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Back of a length and around middle, Virat Kohli presses back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. RCB need just 6 runs now.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Short and around middle, Devdutt Padikkal makes room and slices it to deep backward point for a single.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.That's nasty from Jofra Archer! A bouncer and angling into the body at almost 141 clicks. Devdutt Padikkal tries to cut it at first but then decides to duck it but gets a bit late there. The ball is too quick for him to handle, and he falls down in the process.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, Four!FOUR! THRASHED! Fuller and on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal lunges and flicks it aerially over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.A full toss and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal misses it and the ball goes to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, No ball!A bumper and wide outside off, goes above the head of the batter. Called a wide but Jofra Archer has also overstepped here and it is now a No Ball. A free hit is coming up.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, 2 runs.A yorker and on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal leans on and flicks it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Tushar Deshpande to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.DROPPED AGAIN! Short of a length and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal hops up and cuts it off late to guide it towards third man. Maheesh Theekshana runs in forward and puts in a dive to catch it but spills out in the end and the batters take a single. RCB need 15 now.

Tushar Deshpande to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.Back of a length and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to pull it but misses this time.

Tushar Deshpande to Devdutt Padikkal, 2 runs.On a good length and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal lofts it inside out over cover but mistimes it. The ball lands in front of incoming deep cover fielder and they take two runs.

Tushar Deshpande to Devdutt Padikkal, Six!SIX! CRACKING SHOT! A bouncer from Tushar and on the right shoulder of the batter, around leg. Devdutt Padikkal swivels, and helps on its way to deep fine leg for a biggie.

Tushar Deshpande to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.Nagging length and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal pats it down to backward point.

Tushar Deshpande to Devdutt Padikkal, Four!FOUR! DRILLED! Full and outside off, just a nothing ball, Devdutt Padikkal stants tall and drives it on the up through covers for a boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK! RCB are racing away to the target as they just need 28 runs now in the last five overs. Virat Kohli is looking pretty good here as he is hitting boundaries for fun, and he will want to take his team home today. RR need a miracle from here to even make a comeback in this game. This inning has been pretty one-sided, where they dropped too many chances and now are on the verge of a loss in their home.  RCB surely will want to finish as early as they can to boost their NRR.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, Four!FOUR! Into the gap! Dragged back and around middle, Virat Kohli quickly moves on the back foot and smashes it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, No run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Virat Kohli taps it to the off side.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.Short and on leg, Virat Kohli flicks it towards deep square leg for a brace.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, Six!SIX! KOHLI GETS TO HIS FIFTY WITH A BANG! This is his 100TH half-century in T20s, and once again he shows why he is one of the best. Tossed up, full and on middle, Virat Kohli skips down the track and smokes it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Floated, full and on leg, Devdutt Padikkal stays back and clips it through square leg for a run.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Short and on middle, Virat Kohli heaves it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Shortish and on off, Virat Kohli forces it to long off for one more.

Maheesh Theekshana to Virat Kohli, No run.Slows it up, full and on off, Virat Kohli knocks it back to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Flatter, full and on leg, Devdutt Padikkal glances it to short fine for a quick one.

Maheesh Theekshana to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Floated, full and on off, Virat Kohli pushes it through covers for a run.

Maheesh Theekshana to Virat Kohli, Four!FOUR! VK is shifting gears now! Maheesh Theekshana drags his length back, on middle. Virat Kohli rocks back and smacks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Maheesh Theekshana to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Short and on leg, Devdutt Padikkal nudges it through square leg for a single.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, Six!SIX! Just over! Flighted, full and on middle. Virat Kohli gets underneath the ball and tonks it towards the long on fence. The fielder thinks he is in the game but only to watch it sail over his head for a biggie. RCB need 50 runs in 42 balls now.

Kumar Kartikeya to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Short again, on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal steers it to short third for a run.

Kumar Kartikeya to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.Goes short and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal cuts it straight to point.

Kumar Kartikeya to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it to short covers.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Floated, full and on off, Virat Kohli lofts it wide of long off for a single.

RR have kept things tight in the last couple of overs but they have failed to pick more wickets here and RCB are slowly getting away in this game.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, No run.Short and around off, Virat Kohli stabs it to short covers.

Riyan Parag to Devdutt Padikkal, Four!FOUR! Put away! Quicker one, full but down the leg side again, Devdutt Padikkal just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for an easy boundary.

Riyan Parag to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Drags his length back, on off, Virat Kohli punches it through covers for one.

Riyan Parag to Devdutt Padikkal, 2 Wides!Fires one full but down the leg side, Devdutt Padikkal leaves it alone. Sanju Samson fails to collect it cleanly, moving to his right. A bye is taken and it is called a wide.

Riyan Parag to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Flighted, full and on middle, Virat Kohli turns it to square leg for another run.

Riyan Parag to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Short again and on midde, Devdutt Padikkal pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Riyan Parag to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.Floated, short and on off, turns away, Devdutt Padikkal pats it to the left of the bowler.

Riyan Parag to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Short and on middle, Virat Kohli nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Riyan Parag comes into the attack now.

Jofra Archer to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Pitches it up, on off, Virat Kohli drills it to mid off and scampers across for one. Riyan Parag has a shy at the batter's end where Padikkal was struggling.

Jofra Archer to Virat Kohli, No run.Good stop! Hits the length hard, on off, Virat Kohli punches it wide of short covers. Dhruv Jurel dives to his left to make a fine stop.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Hard length and on middle, Devdutt Padikkal steers it to third man for a run.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.On a length and on middle, Devdutt Padikkal knocks it towards mid on.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, Wide!Fuller again but angling down the leg side, Devdutt Padikkal fails to flick it away. Wided again.

Jofra Archer to Devdutt Padikkal, No run.Close! Short of a length and on off, angling in, Devdutt Padikkal looks to guide it away but chops it down just over the stumps.

Jofra Archer to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Back of a length and on off, Virat Kohli runs it down to third man for a run.

Jofra Archer to Virat Kohli, Wide!Goes fuller but down the leg side, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. Wided.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Slightly shorter and on the pads, worked away off the back foot and behind square leg for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, No run.Flatter one at the stumps, tucked away to the leg side for another dot.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, No run.On a nagging length and at the stumps, straightening down the line and staying low, Kohli presses back to keep it out.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.Flighted up on the pads, Padikkal looks to turn it to the leg side but gets a leading edge through the vacant short extra cover region and picks up a single. 100 up for RCB!

Wanindu Hasaranga to Devdutt Padikkal, Four!FOUR! Padikkal gets into the act now. Flighted ball, full and around off, Padikkal leans on and plays a wristy drive past the short cover fielder and also beats the chasing fielder at long off to his right for a boundary.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, 1 run.On a dragged length, drifted into the pads, Kohli presses back and nudges it away through the on side for one.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Length ball around off, Kohli shows the full face of the bat and punches it through mid off for another single.

Kumar Kartikeya to Devdutt Padikkal, 1 run.On the shorter side and at the body, pulled away down to deep backward square leg for a run.

Devdutt Padikkal walks out to bat at number 3.

Kumar Kartikeya to Phil Salt, OUT! c Yashasvi Jaiswal b Kumar Kartikeya.OUT! CAUGHT! The Impact sub does get the breakthrough for RR, but is it too late already? Kumar Kartikeya with another shortish delivery, this time the line is pretty straight, and it is a bit quicker as well. Phil Salt tries to get inside the line and pull but ends up mistiming it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a simple catch inside the ropes, and Salt has to depart after a fiery 65 (33), and RCB are 92/1 in 8.4 overs!

Kumar Kartikeya to Phil Salt, Six!SIX! Phil Salt is just hitting flat sixes now. Short ball around off, sitting up for the batter, Salt swivels on his toes and swats it flat over cow corner for another biggie.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Flighted ball, relatively full and outside off, Kohli fetches the sweep and hits it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kumar Kartikeya to Phil Salt, 2 Wides!TWO WIDES! Flatter one, darted well across the off stump for a wide and missed by the keeper as well. The batters sneak in an extra single.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Quicker one, on a good length and on leg, Salt hits it away across to wide deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Phil Salt, No run.Nagging length, floated up a bit and at the batter, Salt fails to get it away.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Phil Salt, Six!SIX! As flat a six you'll see! Dragged down around middle, Phil Salt rocks back and smashes it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Floated up, full and outside off, Kohli leans on and strokes it down to long off for one more.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Phil Salt, 1 run.Full again and around off, driven away down to long off for a single by Salt.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Phil Salt, Four!FOUR! Lovely shot to bring up the FIFTY from Phil Salt, his 2nd of this season and 8th overall in the IPL. Tossed up, quite full and just around off, Salt stays back and just powers it along the turf and wide enough of long off for a boundary.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Phil Salt, No run.Begins with a flatter one, attacking the stumps, Salt punches it back to the bowler.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, No run.Tidy start from the RR Impact sub, just 5 off it. Floated, full and on middle, Kohli drives it back to the bowler.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.On the pads, Kohli leans on and just nudges it away through the gap at square leg and picks up a couple of easy runs.

Kumar Kartikeya to Phil Salt, 1 run.Flatter one at the stumps, swatted away through mid-wicket for a run by Salt.

Kumar Kartikeya to Phil Salt, No run.Oh, how has that missed the stumps? Tosses this one right up on the off stump, Phil Salt sits down for the slog sweep but is beaten in flight, and the ball just bounces inches over the off stump.

Kumar Kartikeya to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Very full, in fact, a full toss on off, Kohli only manages to hit it down to long off for another single.

Kumar Kartikeya to Phil Salt, 1 run.Quick and full on middle, Salt shows the full face of the bat and punches it down to long off for one.

Strategic Break! Royal Challengers Bengaluru have dominated the Powerplay, with Phil Salt leading the charge and Virat Kohli playing second fiddle. However, the fielding has let Rajasthan Royals down as they have dropped as many as four chances, which is unacceptable when you are defending a par score. Their only hope now is if the spin twins of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga can pull off something special to get them back in this game. Also, Kumar Kartikeya to bowl after the break.

Sandeep Sharma to Phil Salt, 1 run.Drags the length back and bowls it short, Salt comes forward and pulls it to deep square leg for a single to end the Powerplay. RCB flying at 65/0!

Sandeep Sharma to Phil Salt, Four!FOUR! Easy pickings! A juicy full toss, floated down leg, Phil Salt picks it up and flicks it past short fine leg for a boundary. 14 off the over with a ball to go.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Floated up on a length and at the stumps, Kohli advances and pushes it away to long on for a run.

Sandeep Sharma to Phil Salt, 1 run.DROPPED AGAIN! Full and straight this time from Sandeep, Phil Salt steps out again and backs away before hammering it to the right of the cover fielder. Yashasvi Jaiswal there dives low to his right and spills it. The batters try to scamper through for a single and the direct hit is just missed as well as the bowler's end. RCB living on the edge and getting away with it.

Sandeep Sharma to Phil Salt, Six!SIX! Down the track and outta here! Length again, on middle and leg, Phil Salt steps out and stays leg side of the ball before smashing it over wide long off for a biggie.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Good-length delivery on off, Kohli punches it down to long on and picks up a single.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, Wide!WIDE! Full and trying to angle it into the pads but spills it down the leg side for a wide.

Rajasthan Royals use their Impact Player as Kumar Kartikeya comes in for Nitish Rana.

Maheesh Theekshana to Virat Kohli, 1 run.Short and around middle, Kohli pushes it to long on for a single. 50 up for RCB!

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, 1 run.A low full toss, and quicker, into the pads, Salt flicks it to wide long on for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, No run.Nagging length and touch outside off, Salt cuts it but straight to cover point.