source : BCCI
RCB finally ended their home drought in style as Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood powered a thrilling 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals. Kohli led the charge with a composed 70 while Hazlewood iced it with a fiery penultimate over that sealed RR’s third straight final-over heartbreak.
After posting 205 for 5, thanks to Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal’s fluent fifties and a late surge from Tim David and Jitesh Sharma, RCB looked in control. But RR stayed in the hunt with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s blistering 49 and Dhruv Jurel’s gritty late push. With 18 needed off 12, RR seemed on track until Hazlewood delivered a sensational 19th over.
Hazlewood struck twice in two balls, removing Jurel with a sharp wide yorker and then cramping Jofra Archer with a steep bouncer. His over yielded just one run, turning the match on its head. Yash Dayal held his nerve in the final over, echoing his heroics from last season, and clinched the win for RCB.
Earlier, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma choked RR’s middle overs with tight spells, picking timely wickets and halting momentum. Krunal’s dismissal of Riyan Parag and the pressure he built helped swing things RCB’s way.
Kohli, playing his first substantial knock at home this season, overcame a slow start to register a crucial fifty. Padikkal made the most of his chances to build a strong partnership, and even after quick wickets, David and Jitesh ensured RCB had a total to fight with.
