IPL 2025: RCB's Krunal and Suyash Limit Punjab to 157/6

Synopsis

In the IPL 2025 reverse fixture, RCB's Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma showcased stellar performances, each claiming two wickets to limit Punjab Kings to 157 runs, setting the stage for an exciting match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Key Takeaways

Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma shine with 2 wickets each.
Punjab Kings scored 157 runs in their 20 overs.
Prabhsimran Singh top-scored with 33 runs.
RCB's bowling strategy was crucial in restricting runs.
Shashank Singh finished unbeaten at 31 runs.

New Chandigarh, April 20 (NationPress) Spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma each claimed two wickets, restricting Punjab Kings to 157/6 in their 20 overs during the IPL 2025 reverse fixture at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Choosing to bat first, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh provided a stellar start for their team after a modest opening over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, scoring just two runs.

The pair aggressively attacked Yash Dayal, with Arya hitting a six and a four, while Prabhsimran opened his account with a boundary. This over contributed 17 runs to Punjab's total.

Prabhsimran kept the momentum going with three fours off Bhuvneshwar Kumar's next over, while Arya also punished Josh Hazlewood with two boundaries. Punjab seemed to be on a roll until Rajat Patidar brought Krunal Pandya into the attack in the fifth over.

Krunal made an immediate impact, dismissing Arya for 22 on his second delivery, breaking the 42-run opening partnership. Captain Shreyas Iyer joined Prabhsimran, steering the team to 62/1 at the end of the powerplay with support from a six and a four off Hazlewood.

However, Krunal's second over yielded another wicket as he sent Prabhsimran back for 33 runs off 17 balls, which included five fours and a six.

Josh Inglis, batting at number four, partnered with Iyer but couldn't deliver, miscuing a shot off Romario Shepherd in the eighth over. Iyer's struggles continued as this marked his fourth innings this season where he couldn't surpass 10 runs.

In the following over, last match's standout, Nehal Wadhera, fell victim to a mix-up with Livingstone, getting run out for just 5 runs. Punjab Kings found themselves at 79/4 at the halfway mark, with Livingstone and Shashank Singh at the crease.

The pair managed to build a vital 36-run partnership for the fifth wicket until Suyash intervened, cleaning up Inglis for 29 runs and then dismissing Marcus Stoinis in the same over.

Marco Jansen and Shashank were tasked with navigating the final six overs while trying to increase the scoring rate. However, the RCB bowlers maintained tight lines, allowing the duo to score just over a run a ball, finishing at 157/6 in 20 overs.

Shashank ended the innings unbeaten at 31, while Jansen contributed 25 not out, including two sixes, one of which came off Hazlewood on the last ball of the innings.

For RCB, Krunal concluded with impressive figures of 2-25, while Suyash had 2-26 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled economically at 0-26.

Match Summary: Punjab Kings 157/6 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 33, Shashank Singh 31 not out; Krunal Pandya 2-25, Suyash Sharma 2-26) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.