How Did Cummins and Malinga Trigger RCB's Collapse After Kishan’s 93* to Secure SRH's 42-Run Victory?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad edged out Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 42 runs, thanks to an outstanding performance from Ishan Kishan and a devastating finish from bowlers Cummins and Malinga. This match reshapes the IPL 2025 standings and keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Key Takeaways
- Ishan Kishan's performance was instrumental in setting a challenging target.
- RCB's collapse in the final overs highlighted vulnerability under pressure.
- Cummins and Malinga's bowling turned the game in SRH's favor.
- Standings shift emphasized the competitive nature of IPL 2025.
- Strategic batting partnerships are crucial in T20 matches.
Lucknow, May 24 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will certainly regret the golden chance to ascend to the top of the Indian Premier League 2025 standings, as the Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered a decisive 42-run defeat to the playoff-bound team in Match 65 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday.
This defeat has significantly impacted RCB's run rate, causing them to drop to third place in the standings, while the Punjab Kings have surged ahead due to a better run rate. The Gujarat Titans continue to lead the table with 18 points, and the Mumbai Indians sit in fourth place with 16.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, batting first at the behest of RCB's interim captain Jitesh Sharma, capitalized on Ishan Kishan's stellar innings of 94 not out to post an impressive total of 231/6 in their 20 overs.
The opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma (34) and Travis Head (17) provided a strong start for the Sunrisers, reaching the 50-run mark in just 15 balls. However, RCB quickly struck back, dismissing both batsmen within three deliveries. Abhishek was caught by Phil Salt off Lungi Ngidi, followed shortly by Head's dismissal at the hands of Bhuvneshwar.
Heinrich Klassen (24) also fell victim to Suyash Sharma while trying to clear the long-on boundary, where Shepherd took the catch.
Kishan maintained the aggressive tempo by belting a short ball from Krunal Pandya for six, and Aniket Verma (26) joined the scoring spree with two sixes and a four in the 11th over. The duo continued to dominate Pandya with powerful shots. Aniket's innings ended with a leading edge caught by Bhuvneshwar.
Kishan had no intention of letting the fall of wickets hinder the run flow, reaching his half-century in just 28 balls. Nitesh Kumar Reddy (4) continued his poor form and fell to Shepherd.
While Kishan was on fire, Abhinav Manohar (12) struggled to find his rhythm, with Shepherd striking again for RCB.
Kishan concluded the innings just shy of a century, leading SRH to 231/6 with a four and a six in Yash Dayal's final over. His final tally was 94 off 48 balls, featuring seven fours and five sixes.
In reply, Virat Kohli (43) took the initiative against the SRH bowlers, starting with a late cut against Pat Cummins, followed by an authoritative punch through the off-side against Jaydev Unadkat. A pull shot towards deep mid-wicket demonstrated his control early on, while Phil Salt (62) struggled to find his footing, contrasting their usual dynamic.
While the required run rate was manageable, Kohli unusually fell to Harsh Dubey, slicing the ball to Abhishek at backward point.
Mayank Agarwal (11), filling in for Devdutt Padikkal due to injury, hit a four but was soon dismissed by a delivery from Reddy, edging it to Klassen. Remarkably, RCB was still in the game at 167/3 after 15 overs before calamity struck.
Reddy tightened the screws, enabling Malinga to turn the game around dramatically. A yorker led to RCB attempting a quick single, but the pacer executed a direct hit on Rajat Patidar.
Malinga continued to trouble RCB, catching his own delivery to dismiss Romario Shepherd (0) on his first ball. The match slipped from RCB's grasp when Jitesh misplayed a delivery to Abhinav Manohar at deep mid-wicket.
Tim David (1), who had exited the field after an injury during the first innings, struggled to keep up and was dismissed by Malinga with a lower full toss that went straight to long-on.
Pat Cummins then bowled out Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3) before Krunal Pandya (8) was dismissed as he hit his own stumps with his bat. Harshal Patel sealed the game for SRH, with Yash Dayal (3) caught in the deep, concluding RCB's innings at 189 and sealing the 42-run victory.
Brief scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 231/6 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 94*, Abhishek Sharma 34, Aniket Verma 26; Romario Shepherd 2-14) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru 189 all out in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62, Virat Kohli 43; Pat Cummins 3-28, Eshan Malinga 2-37) by 42 runs
Point of View
This match highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, showcasing both the brilliance of individual performances and the critical role of teamwork. RCB's inability to capitalize on their position reflects the intense pressure and competitiveness of the IPL, emphasizing the need for consistent performances as the tournament progresses.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to RCB's defeat against SRH?
RCB's defeat was primarily due to the powerful batting display from SRH, led by Ishan Kishan, and the decisive bowling actions of Cummins and Malinga in the final overs.
How did Ishan Kishan perform in this match?
Ishan Kishan scored an impressive 94 not out, helping SRH to a formidable total of 231 runs.
What was the impact of this match on the IPL standings?
This loss dropped RCB to third place in the standings, allowing Punjab Kings to move ahead due to a better run rate.
Which players were crucial for SRH's victory?
Ishan Kishan was vital with his bat, while Cummins and Malinga played key roles in dismantling RCB's batting order.
What are the key takeaways from this match?
The match showcased the importance of both batting depth and effective bowling strategies in T20 cricket.
