source : BCCI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) extended their winning streak on the road with a clinical nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass in chasing, easily hunting down RR’s 173-run total. Kohli, calm and composed, brought up his 100th T20 half-century, while Salt went full throttle, hammering 65 off just 32 balls. The opening stand proved too strong for RR’s struggling bowling unit.
Earlier, it was Yashasvi Jaiswal who carried Rajasthan on his shoulders with a blazing 75 off 47 balls. He looked in total control, playing scoops, reverse sweeps, and boundary punches across the park. However, RR’s conservative approach from the rest of the batting line-up held them back. Despite a late push with 47 runs in the last four overs, the total looked light, especially with RCB’s deep and aggressive batting setup.
Salt’s approach was fearless and calculated. He premeditated his attacks on bowlers like Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma by targeting smaller boundaries and using his footwork smartly. His 11 boundaries came from clever shot placement and sheer power. Kohli, as always, played the anchor, timing his chase perfectly to stay unbeaten on 62. Together, the duo put up a 150+ stand, completely deflating any hopes of an RR comeback.
RR’s issues were deeper than just runs on the board. Four dropped catches — including multiple lifelines to Salt and Kohli — made matters worse. Captain Sanju Samson, usually reliable in Jaipur, struggled to find rhythm and fell for 15. Dhruv Jurel’s late surge couldn’t change the game, as RCB’s bowlers had already done the hard work. Yash Dayal’s slower ones and Krunal Pandya’s tight spell choked the Royals just enough to tilt the momentum.
The Royals now face a tough road ahead, needing flawless performances to stay in playoff contention. Meanwhile, RCB look like a team in sync—powerful at the top, calm in the middle, and backed by a bowling unit that knows its job. With this win, RCB not only bag crucial points but also signal their intent as serious title challengers in IPL 2025.
