IPL 2025: RCB bowlers’ stellar stats in powerplay (overs 1-6) the bedrock of their success so far

IPL 2025: RCB have taken the most powerplay wickets (17) in their first 10 games — is this one of the key reasons behind their success?

Over the past few Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been known for being a batting-heavy side, with stars such as Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Cameron Green in their line-up. But this season, it has been different. It’s their bowlers who have been dominating this season, and outshining all other bowling attacks.

Capitalising on powerplay is key  
It can be argued that powerplay sets the tone for the match. If the batting side gets to a good start in the powerplay, it gives the team the momentum to set up a big total. It is true for the bowling side as well. If the bowling unit picks up as many wickets as possible in the powerplay, it can put pressure on the opponents and restrict them to a below-par score. RCB bowlers have been doing it brilliantly this season.

Looking at the powerplay bowling stats of all 10 IPL teams in April, RCB’s bowlers have been the most impressive. Be it the most number of wickets (17), or best bowling average (29.53) or strike rate (21.18) or the most number of dot balls (173) in the powerplay, RCB bowlers are topping the charts this season. 

Here’s the bowling performance of each team in IPL 2025 in April: 

It could be concluded that bowling more dot balls have helped RCB to generate more wickets in powerplay as it creates undue pressure on the batters to go for the relief or big shots. RCB have also conceded the least number of runs and consumed the least balls to take a wicket in the powerplay. Their economy or runs per over in powerplay is also the least among the ten teams. Overall, RCB bowlers have worked well in tandem to stop the opposition from running away with the game in the powerplay itself. 

Read More: Role of Josh Hazlewood in RCB’s great run in IPL 2025

MI and RR falter in this regard 
In comparison, Mumbai Indians, who have three international new-ball bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, and Trent Boult, fare the second worst not only in terms of wickets, but average and  strike rate as well in powerplays in April. Surprisingly, Chennai Super Kings, who have already been eliminated from the race for play-offs, have done reasonably well in the powerplay, taking third spot with 15 wickets. Rajasthan Royals have struggled, taking just 10 wickets at the average of 54.40 and striking at 36 balls per wicket. 

Also, it is important to note that among the top five teams in this chart, four of them are in the top five of IPL’s points table as on May 1. It implies that the better you perform in the powerplay as a bowling unit, the better are your chances of winning and being in the top layer of the points table.

What has helped RCB make this turnaround?
Gone are the days when RCB and their fans were taking out the calculators to decide the permutations and combinations to qualify for the play-offs. They are currently placed second in the points table as on May 1, and need at least one more win out of four games to be certain of a play-off berth. But if RCB win more matches and take the top two spot, they get two chances to qualify for the final. This turnaround could be credited to their bowling attack in the powerplay. RCB have done a few clever purchases in the auction and it has been yielding them results. 

Read More: IPL 2025: Teams that have punched above their weight in first two weeks

Smart purchases 
They bought IPL veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar who is bringing all his experience to the fore in the powerplay. Another Aussie star Josh Hazlewood is having the IPL season of his life, topping the bowling charts with 18 wickets so far, and bamboozling the batters with his clever variations, change of pace, and disciplined line and length. RCB’s spin twins – Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya – have been a revelation this season. Yash Dayal, who was retained before the auction, has also done his bit but has been a tad expensive. 

A look at the top bowlers in powerplay in April shows it is Bhuvi and Hazlewood who have been the standout bowlers in this phase of play. 

Here is the list of top five wicket-takers in powerplays in IPL 2025 in April:

Hazlewood shines 
Hazlewood is third in the list with 7 wickets but he has been the best bowler in terms of bowling average, conceding only 18.57 runs for every wicket. He has also conceded the least runs (7.22) in an over and taken less balls (15.43) to take every wicket in the powerplay. Bhuvi is next in the list with 6 wickets. 

It’s Hazlewood’s success in powerplay, and even at the death that has helped RCB win a few close matches. Also, Hazlewood’s success has rubbed off on his teammates who have complemented each other well, putting RCB in winning positions more frequently than the previous seasons. 

Hazlewood-Bhuvi’s success helps RCB
With Hazlewood and Bhuvi hunting in pairs in the powerplay, RCB have been able to tighten the grip around the opposition with their spinners in the middle-overs. Krunal and Suyash are helping RCB to restrict the opponents in the middle-overs. There is no respite for the opponents as Bhuvi-Hazlewood are back again at the death to finish off games. Dayal is yet to come to the party, but he has pitched in crucial overs when the team needed him. Overall, the RCB bowling unit boasts a well-rounded look with variety, variations, and precision in a good mix. 

Read More: IPL 2025, RCB vs RR, Highlights: Rajasthan fall short again; Bengaluru climb to third spot

Good powerplay equals crucial points 
When pegged back with early wickets in the powerplay, teams have been unable to continue the aggressive style of batting thereafter. With spinners in middle-overs and fields spread out, the scoring rate falls down. This robs teams of crucial 20-30 runs in the total. Hence, there have been less 200-plus scores this season compared to the last one. 

This season, the teams’ mantra has been to pick up wickets upfront, slow down the scoring rate, and restrict the opponents below 200. Moreover, with the Impact Player rule, the chasing team can overhaul any target up to 200 with ease with an extra batter in the XI. 

RCB’s mantra in IPL 2025  
RCB have mastered this art so far this season, and hence, 100 percent successful chases have been a norm for them. They have won all their four matches chasing below 180 and have managed to defend 190-plus score three times. The three matches they lost have all been while defending 170 or lower at their home ground where dew makes gripping the ball difficult in the second innings. RCB have conceded a total above 200 only once in 10 games so far.  Hence, their bowling unit has played a key role in their success this season so far. Lastly, due credit should also go to their batters for complementing their bowling attack.

Read More: IPL 2025, DC vs RCB, Highlights: Kohli-Krunal steer RCB to victory in tricky chase, move to top of the table