IPL 2025: Wadhera and Bowlers Overcome RCB Amid Rain-Shortened Match at Chinnaswamy

Bengaluru, April 19 (NationPress) Nehal Wadhera scored an unbeaten 33 runs off 19 balls as Punjab Kings triumphed over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by five wickets in a shortened 14-over match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

The pitch at Chinnaswamy, typically known for assisting batters, transformed into a challenging, slow-paced affair, showcasing a significant shift in the venue's reputation. A two-hour rain interruption reduced the match to 14 overs per side, and despite the usual excitement of such a format, Thursday's game turned into a tense, low-scoring contest where each miscalculated shot felt like a costly mistake.

Initially, it appeared that RCB might not even reach the 50-run mark. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, their innings devolved into a series of ill-timed shots, effective bowling, and the challenges posed by the pitch’s unpredictable bounce.

Only Tim David's solitary resistance—a fierce, counter-attacking 50 not out off 26 balls—allowed them to approach three figures. His unbeaten half-century, characterized by commanding shots amid falling wickets, ensured RCB avoided the embarrassment of recording their lowest-ever IPL score.

The decline started early. Arshdeep Singh, entering the match with just two power-play wickets all season, found his groove just when Punjab needed it most. Phil Salt, attempting to execute a pull on a rising delivery, top-edged to square leg. Shortly after, Arshdeep adjusted his length and caught Virat Kohli off guard as he charged in, with Marco Jansen comfortably taking the catch at mid-on.

With these two dismissals, Arshdeep surpassed Piyush Chawla to become Punjab’s all-time leading wicket-taker in IPL history, now boasting a tally of 86 wickets.

RCB's problems compounded as Rajat Patidar's aggressive approach yielded just a four and a six before he fell victim to Yuzvendra Chahal, caught at long-off in an attempt to clear the infield. The strategy of introducing Impact Player Manoj Bhandage backfired dramatically, as he was trapped lbw by a skiddy delivery from Jansen before he could make an impact.

By the twelfth over, RCB found themselves nine down with merely 63 runs on the board. Harpreet Brar dismissed Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal in consecutive deliveries, leaving the hosts struggling. Despite the lack of momentum, Tim David stood firm. He calculated risks against Bartlett and Brar, finding gaps and striking boundaries to raise his side’s score to 95.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed that David’s efforts might suffice.

Punjab’s chase began poorly. The first boundary came off Arya's outside edge, sailing over the slip cordon. Prabhsimran Singh (13) had a scare the very next ball, miscuing a flick that fortunately dropped safely. When he finally found his rhythm, sending Bhuvneshwar over his head and through extra cover, it felt as though normalcy was returning.

However, Bhuvi, ever the strategist, dragged his length wider and let the away movement do the trick. Prabhsimran mistimed a flat-bat shot, offering a simple catch to David at mid-off. PBKS were at 22 for 1, and suddenly the pitch seemed larger with the boundaries feeling distant.

Josh Hazlewood, who thrived on the tackiness of the surface, made batting increasingly difficult. His height, combined with a persistent length and steep bounce, restricted batters from playing freely. Priyansh Arya (16), having top-edged a pull for six, tried to flat-bat another and ended up giving a catch at mid-off.

Hazlewood then unleashed a brutal one-two in his second over. First, a rising ball angled across Shreyas Iyer (7) induced an upper edge that Jitesh Sharma expertly caught, leaping behind the stumps. Then, Inglis (14)—tempted by a slightly shorter delivery—went for a cut and was caught at deep third. From 46 for 2, Punjab found themselves reeling at 52 for 4.

Amidst this turmoil, Nehal Wadhera emerged as a beacon of hope. The left-handed batter, though not flamboyant, understood the moment. Against Suyash Sharma, who was exhibiting significant drift and variation, Wadhera attempted a reverse sweep that, though poorly timed, found a gap.

When the leg-spinner erred with a loopy full-toss, Wadhera launched it over cow corner. As Suyash tightened his grip and Hazlewood conceded just two runs in his final over, the left-hander bided his time.

With 32 runs needed from 24 balls, Wadhera seized his opportunity. A wide, overpitched delivery was smashed over long-off. Then, a full leg-break from around the wicket turned sharply past bat and keeper for four byes. When another ball was overpitched, Wadhera drilled it through the covers, bringing the target within reach.

There was a flicker of hope for RCB when Shashank Singh, attempting to go aerial, holed out at long-on off Bhuvneshwar. The crowd roared as the equation tightened to 15 from 15. But Wadhera, calm and composed, tucked one for four before elegantly driving another through extra cover.

Ultimately, it fell to Marcus Stoinis to clinch the victory. Positioning himself on the leg side, he muscled a short delivery over midwicket, concluding the chase with 11 balls to spare.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 95/9 in 14 overs (Tim David 50 not out, Rajat Patidar 23; Marco Jansen 2-10, Yuzvendra Chahal 2-11) lost to Punjab Kings: 98/5 in 12.1 overs (Nehal Wadhera 33 not out, Priyansh Arya 16; Josh Hazlewood 3-14, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-26) by five wickets.