The IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday was a thrilling encounter, full of drama, tension, and a memorable contest between two cricketers—Josh Hazlewood and Yashasvi Jaiswal—that added an extra layer of excitement. The match, which was crucial for both teams, particularly RCB as they fought to stay alive in the playoffs race, featured a gripping showdown that captivated the fans.
The battle began in the fourth over of Rajasthan Royals’ innings, with Hazlewood, the Australian pacer, making his first appearance in the RCB attack. With RCB defending a formidable target of 206, Hazlewood’s job was to keep RR’s batting under control, particularly the explosive Jaiswal, who had been in stellar form. Hazlewood’s first three deliveries were a masterclass in precision, with one of them—a short ball—completely stunning Jaiswal, forcing him to reconsider his approach.
However, Jaiswal, known for his aggressive stroke play, was not easily intimidated. He came back strong, countering Hazlewood’s fine bowling by hitting three consecutive boundaries, showcasing his exceptional skills. The contest was becoming increasingly intense, with both players engaged in a mental battle, trying to outthink each other.
The real fireworks came during the final over of the Powerplay, when Jaiswal took Hazlewood on again. The RR opener launched two boundaries and a six in the first four balls of the over, sending a message that he would not be cowed down. At that moment, Jaiswal seemed destined for a big knock, but Hazlewood, displaying his tactical acumen, bowled a slower one on the fifth delivery. Jaiswal, looking to accelerate, mistimed the shot, sending the ball straight to mid-wicket, where it was comfortably caught. Jaiswal departed for 49 off 24 balls, just one run short of a deserved half-century.
Jaiswal’s dismissal was a key moment in the match. As he walked off, the two cricketers exchanged words, adding a fiery edge to the contest. Hazlewood’s send-off was met with a spirited response from Jaiswal, highlighting the fierce competitiveness between the two.
Hazlewood’s Heroics Propel RCB to Victory
While Jaiswal’s departure certainly shifted the momentum, it was Hazlewood’s brilliance throughout the innings that proved to be the turning point. The Australian pacer continued his excellent spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/33, and was instrumental in RCB’s 11-run victory over RR.
Despite valiant efforts from Dhruv Jurel (47) and Jaiswal (49), Rajasthan Royals fell short in their chase of 206, finishing with 194 for 9 in 20 overs. Hazlewood’s four-wicket haul was backed up by Krunal Pandya (2/31), who also made vital breakthroughs, and Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who picked up one wicket each. Together, they restricted RR, especially in the death overs, denying them any chance of a late surge.
Jaiswal’s dismissal was a significant blow for RR, but it was the pressure created by Hazlewood and the disciplined bowling from the rest of the attack that ensured they never truly came close to the target. RR’s middle order, which had been performing admirably in recent games, faltered under pressure. The likes of Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer failed to make an impact, further derailing their chase.
Kohli and Padikkal Provide Strong Foundation
Earlier in the day, RCB’s opening pair of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal set a solid platform for their team to post a challenging total. After being asked to bat first, RCB lost their opening wicket early, but the partnership between Kohli and Padikkal steadied the ship. Kohli, who has been in red-hot form this season, played a scintillating knock of 70 off 42 balls, showcasing his trademark strokeplay. Padikkal, too, was in great touch, smashing a rapid 50 off 27 balls, which was crucial in lifting RCB to a competitive score.
Their 95-run second-wicket stand was the highlight of RCB’s innings, with both batters accelerating well in the middle overs. Following their dismissals, Tim David (23) and Jitesh Sharma (19*) added finishing touches to the innings, taking RCB past the 200-run mark. The final total of 205 for 5 was always going to be a tough ask for RR, and RCB’s bowlers made sure it remained out of reach.
Brief Scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 205/5 in 20 overs
(Virat Kohli 70, Devdutt Padikkal 50; Sandeep Sharma 2/45)
Rajasthan Royals: 194/9 in 20 overs
(Yashasvi Jaiswal 49, Dhruv Jurel 47; Josh Hazlewood 4/33, Krunal Pandya 2/31)
A Nail-Biting Finish and RCB’s Revival
The win was a vital one for RCB, lifting them to 12 points from nine games. It provided a much-needed boost to their playoff hopes, and with five games remaining in the league stage, they are now in a stronger position to push for a spot in the top four. For Rajasthan Royals, however, it was another heartbreak, as they succumbed to their fifth consecutive defeat. With their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread, RR will need to regroup quickly and turn things around in their remaining matches.
This match not only highlighted the brilliance of Josh Hazlewood but also underscored the importance of a strong, adaptable approach in the IPL. With Kohli’s resurgence and Hazlewood’s match-winning performance, RCB look ready to make a strong push for the playoffs, while RR will need to rethink their strategies to stay in the race.
