New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed a crucial chance to secure a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings after suffering a 42-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. Chasing a daunting 232-run target propelled by Ishan Kishan’s explosive unbeaten 94 off 48 balls, RCB was initially optimistic. They began their innings with a strong partnership between Phil Salt (62 off 32) and Virat Kohli (43 off 25), racing to 80 runs in just the first seven overs.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically as RCB struggled against Sunrisers’ bowling attack. Kohli showcased his aggressive approach but fell victim to left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey for the 22nd time in T20s, a familiar pattern that has often troubled him.
Salt, who initially battled cramps, had a spectacular knock but was also dismissed due to a lack of support from the middle order. After a solid start, RCB could not capitalize, suffering a collapse that saw them lose their final seven wickets for just 60 runs. Contributions from Jitesh Sharma (24 off 15) and Tim David, who appeared to be nursing a hamstring injury, were insufficient to steer the team to victory.
With this defeat, RCB has dropped to third place with 17 points, trailing Gujarat Titans (18) and tied with Punjab Kings (17). Their prospects for a top-two finish have become complicated, necessitating favorable outcomes in other matches, even if they win their final league game.
This loss may serve as a wake-up call for RCB, forcing them to regroup and reassess their strategies as they aim to bounce back in their remaining fixtures. With the competitive nature of the IPL, there remains hope that they can still carve a path to success.