IPL 2025, RCB vs PBKS Highlights: Tim David’s fifty goes in vain as Punjab cruise to victory in a rain-hit match. Punjab moves to second place in points table.
Brief scores: PBKS 98/5 (N Wadhera 33, P Arya 16, J Hazlewoord 3/14) beat RCB 95/9 (T David 50, R Patidar 23, M Jansen 2/10) by 5 wickets.
Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) relentless bowling attack dismantled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a rain-curtailed showdown at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, securing a commanding victory in their 2025 IPL clash. The visiting side, led by a fiery trio of Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Marco Jansen choked RCB’s batting lineup, limiting them to 95 runs in 14 overs. And, Nehal Wadhera’s 33 off 19 gave Punjab’s NRR a valuable boost.
At one point, RCB appeared destined to register one of their lowest-ever totals. However, a spirited and explosive knock by Tim David turned the tide slightly, as he notched up a brilliant maiden half-century. His counterattacking innings injected some respectability into an otherwise dismal scorecard and ensured RCB crossed the 90-run mark.
Highlights from RCB vs PBKS game, IPL 2025
Arshdeep, Jansen & Chahal rip through RCB
In a rain-shortened encounter, the PBKS bowlers unleashed a relentless assault on RCB’s batting lineup, fully exploiting the seamer-friendly conditions that followed the downpour. The carnage saw RCB reeling at a dismal 42/7, with Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen setting the tone on a pitch supporting bounce and movement. Adding another layer of trouble, Yuzvendra Chahal spun a web of confusion around the struggling batters.
Arshdeep struck early, removing the dangerous Phil Salt in the very first over and following it up with the wicket of Virat Kohli in the third. Soon after, the tall Marco Jansen took charge, delivering a fiery spell of precision. He conceded just 10 runs in his three overs while dismissing Krunal Pandya, who was promoted up the order to stabilise the innings, and impact substitute Manoj Bhandage.
As if the pace barrage wasn’t enough, RCB then had to contend with the spin of Chahal. The leg-spinner dismissed RCB skipper Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, conceding a mere 11 runs in his three-over spell and leaving the RCB innings in tatters.
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Tim David take RCB to fighting total
When RCB found themselves lurching at 42/7, their infamous lowest IPL total of 49 loomed large. But towering Australia batter Tim David stepped up with a solid counterattack, smashing a 26-ball maiden fifty to rescue his side from complete collapse. His fearless innings, studded with five boundaries and three sixes, culminated in a 21-run onslaught against Harpreet Brar in the final over, lifting RCB to a fighting 95/9.
With his quick 50-run knock, David became the second RCB batter after Dinesh Karthik to score a 50-plus total in the IPL while batting at number 7 or below.
Maiden #TATAIPL fifty for Tim David 👊
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025
Relive his three consecutive sixes 🚀
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/7fIn60rqKZ #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/iGtby4FPTy
Hazlewood lacks support from bowling Unit
Josh Hazlewood delivered a masterclass in disciplined fast bowling, finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 14. He extracted bounce and movement from the surface, dismissing Priyansh Arya in his first spell, and later removing the dangerous Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis. While his efforts gave RCB a crucial edge, the team failed to capitalize, lacking the support in bowling to sustain the pressure Hazlewood had built.
Read More: IPL 2025, PBKS vs KKR, Highlights: Chahal, Jansen wreak havoc; Punjab defend lowest total in IPL
Way forward
Rajat Patidar-led RCB suffered their third straight defeat on home turf, a worrying trend that threatens to overshadow their successes in away fixtures. The inability to capitalise on home advantage continues to haunt the Men in Red, and they will be desperate to reverse this pattern in the coming games. However, RCB will have an immediate opportunity for revenge when they face PBKS again on Sunday a the latter’s home ground.
For Punjab Kings, the emphatic win over RCB has propelled them to the second spot on the points table. Their performance has been marked by a fiery bowling unit that has consistently choked opposition line-ups, complemented by a confident and in-form batting order.
Top Twitter/X Reactions from RCB vs PBKS, Bengaluru, IPL 2025
That is what Tim David can do if he has enough balls to face. There is so much more to him than slogging a few at the end
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 18, 2025
Brave fight by RCB, but were 15-20 runs short in the rain truncated match. Losing both Salt and Kohli early in the powerplay hurt badly. Punjab brilliant in catching, bowling, and came good in batting under pressure. This win enhances their prospects for a place in the kayos
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 18, 2025
Six over point to a spinner. Tim David’s brute strength is unbelievable 💪🫡
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 18, 2025
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈 💥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025
Nehal Wadhera is in a hurry to finish it for #PBKS 🏃
Updates ▶ https://t.co/7fIn60rqKZ #TATAIPL | #RCBvPBKS | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/upMlSvOJi9
Read More: IPL 2025, RR vs RCB, Highlights: RR’s middle order botches momentum; Salt takes RCB to third spot
