RCB’s grit & glory: RCB outlast Punjab Kings in must-win thriller
RCB, who were at the bottom of the table with just one win in their first seven matches, have turned their season around with a string of commanding performances.
KATHMANDU: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their remarkable comeback in IPL 2025 with a high-scoring win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), keeping their playoff hopes alive after a dismal start to the season.
Chasing a strong total of 242, Punjab Kings fell short by 60 runs despite a fiery start, handing RCB their fifth consecutive victory in a must-win encounter at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
RCB, who were at the bottom of the table with just one win in their first seven matches, have turned their season around with a string of commanding performances.
Monday night’s win marked another statement of intent from the Bengaluru side.
Patidar, Green Power RCB to 241
Batting first, RCB rode on a blazing half-century from Rajat Patidar, who continued his rich vein of form. Faf du Plessis provided stability at the top while Cameron Green played a game-changing cameo, smashing 46 off just 27 balls.
RCB posted 241/7 — their second 240+ total of the season — punishing the Punjab bowling attack in the final overs.
Punjab Starts Strong, Fizzles Out
In reply, PBKS looked threatening early on with Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow giving the hosts a flying start. However, regular wickets derailed their momentum. Despite late resistance from Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, Punjab were bundled out for 181 in 17 overs.
Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, and Lockie Ferguson bowled crucial spells under pressure, with Siraj delivering a tight final over.
Kohli Leads with Passion
Former captain Virat Kohli, who also played a vital hand with the bat, was visibly emotional after the win. His animated celebrations on the field reflected the gravity of the moment for RCB, who now find themselves back in playoff contention.
“We never gave up hope,” Kohli said after the match. “This team has shown unbelievable character. We’re not done yet.”
Playoff Equation
With the win, RCB has jumped to fifth place in the points table. They will need to win their final group-stage match and rely on other results to secure a place in the top four.
