IPL 2025: Arshdeep, Jansen and Chahal Limit RCB to 95/9 in Rain-Shortened Encounter

Synopsis

In a rain-affected match on April 18, Royal Challengers Bengaluru struggled with the bat, managing only 95/9 against Punjab Kings at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite Tim David's valiant 50, RCB faced a tough challenge from bowlers Arshdeep, Jansen, and Chahal, who each claimed two wickets.

Key Takeaways

RCB scored only 95/9 in a rain-reduced match.
Tim David was the highlight with a score of 50 not out.
Bowlers Arshdeep, Jansen, and Chahal dominated the RCB batting lineup.
The match was played at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Unique rules applied due to rain led to a shortened game.

Bengaluru, April 18 (NationPress) Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced a disastrous performance with the bat, collapsing to merely 95/9 against Punjab Kings in a rain-shortened 14-over-a-side match during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

The match, which was postponed by two hours due to rain, was limited to 14 overs per side, with unique playing conditions permitting only three bowlers to bowl a maximum of 4 overs each, while one bowler was allowed to bowl 2.

After losing the toss, RCB was invited to bat first, and the early momentum was established by pacer Arshdeep Singh. He took down the formidable Phil Salt in the opening over, leading to a top-edged pull that Josh Inglis (4) managed to catch at square leg. Virat Kohli (1) soon followed, also falling to Arshdeep while attempting a pull shot.

Kohli misjudged a short ball angled away from him and was caught by Marco Jansen, who ran back from mid-on. Arshdeep concluded the power-play with two crucial wickets. Xavier Bartlett, sharing the new ball, maintained the pressure with precise bowling and later dismissed Liam Livingstone (4) on the last ball of the power-play. Livingstone attempted to slice a length ball over cover but ended up skying it to point, leaving RCB at 33/3 in just 4 overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal, introduced immediately after the power-play, made an instant impact, having Jitesh Sharma caught at deep square leg, and not long after, Rajat Patidar (2) holed out to long-off while trying to go for a big hit. Marco Jansen returned to dismiss Krunal Pandya (1) and Impact Substitute Manoj Bhandage (1) lbw, bringing RCB down to 42/7, and then claimed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 8.

Tim David offered a late surge in an otherwise bleak RCB innings with an explosive cameo. He struck Bartlett for two powerful boundaries over square leg and then turned his focus to Harpreet Brar in the final over, smashing him for three consecutive sixes, energizing the crowd.

When Harpreet overstepped on the last ball, David was given a free hit and managed to squeeze out two more runs, achieving a commendable 50 off just 26 balls. His solitary resistance added a degree of respectability to RCB's modest total, ensuring they at least surpassed the 90-run mark.

Yash Dayal was the last batter to fall, as RCB wrapped up their innings at 95/9. Arshdeep (2-23), Jansen (2-10), Chahal (2-11) and Harpreet Brar (2-25) were the standout bowlers.

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) against Punjab Kings