RCB clinch 11-run win as Rajasthan Royals fall short despite strong start

KATHMANDU: In a nail-biting IPL clash on Thursday, Rajasthan Royals came heartbreakingly close to victory but ultimately fell short, losing to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 11 runs.

Batting first, RCB posted a formidable total of 205/5, powered by a blazing 70 off 42 balls from Virat Kohli and a quickfire 50 from Devdutt Padikkal in just 27 deliveries.

Jitesh Sharma added late fireworks with an unbeaten 20 off 10 balls.

Chasing 206, Rajasthan Royals looked well in control for most of the innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal dazzled with 49 off just 19 balls, while Dhruv Jurel anchored the middle order with a gritty 47 from 34.

At one stage, Rajasthan needed just 18 runs from 12 balls with five wickets in hand.

However, the momentum dramatically shifted in the penultimate over.

Josh Hazlewood delivered a game-changing spell, conceding just 1 run and claiming two crucial wickets—Jurel and Jofra Archer—in the 19th over.

Yash Dayal then held his nerve in the final over, as Rajasthan collapsed to 194/9.

Hazlewood’s brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, with figures of 4/33 in four overs.

Krunal Pandya also impressed with 2 wickets, keeping Rajasthan batters under pressure.

With this win, RCB climbed to third on the points table with 12 points from 9 matches.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan remains stuck at 4 points and has dropped to the eighth position.

It was a dramatic finish to a game that Rajasthan nearly had in the bag—but RCB’s bowlers had the final say.