By Robert 
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bounced back in style to defeat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by seven wickets in Match 37 of the TATA IPL 2025, held at the New Chandigarh stadium. The win came just days after PBKS had edged past RCB in a close contest in Bengaluru. This time, however, it was all RCB, with standout performances from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and bowlers Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma sealing the deal.
After winning the toss, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first. The PBKS openers, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, looked dangerous early on. Following a quiet first over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the pair launched a counterattack, taking 17 runs off Yash Dayal’s second over. Prabhsimran in particular looked in fine touch, dispatching three boundaries off Bhuvneshwar in the third. PBKS stormed to 62/1 at the end of the powerplay — their highest powerplay total against RCB this season.
However, the tide turned sharply after the powerplay. Krunal Pandya, who had dismissed Arya earlier, returned to remove the well-set Prabhsimran in the seventh over. What followed was a collapse. Romario Shepherd, making his debut for RCB, removed PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer with a catch brilliantly taken by Krunal. A miscommunication in the next over resulted in Nehal Wadhera’s run-out, leaving PBKS in disarray at 76/4.
Josh Inglis attempted to revive the innings with a quick 29 off 17, but Suyash Sharma dealt a crushing blow in the 14th over, clean-bowling both Inglis and Marcus Stoinis. Shashank Singh (31* off 33) and Marco Jansen (25* off 20) tried to stabilise the innings, but RCB’s bowlers were sharp at the death, conceding just 29 runs in the final four overs. PBKS managed a below-par 157/6 in their 20 overs.
In response, RCB had an early hiccup as Phil Salt was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh in the opening over, mirroring his previous dismissal against PBKS. But that would be the only bright spot for the home side.
Virat Kohli, joined by impact substitute Devdutt Padikkal, took charge of the chase. The pair settled in quickly, kept the scoreboard ticking, and capitalised on loose deliveries. RCB posted 54/1 at the end of the powerplay and never looked back.
Padikkal played his most fluent knock of the season, scoring a quick 61 off 35 deliveries. His 103-run stand with Kohli laid the foundation for a comfortable win. Harpreet Brar eventually broke the partnership by removing Padikkal, but by then, RCB had already taken control.
Virat Kohli continued his chase-masterclass, reaching his 67th IPL 50+ score — the most by any player in the tournament’s history. He remained unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls, guiding RCB to a confident victory with 7 wickets in hand and 7 balls to spare, finishing on 158/3 in 18.5 overs.
With this win, RCB not only avenged their earlier loss to PBKS but also gained vital points as the league stage intensifies.
RCB played an exceptional game, with Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal leading the charge. The bowlers, especially Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, turned the match in RCB’s favor after a shaky start. The team’s fielding was sharp, with crucial run-outs and catches making a big difference. Despite a strong powerplay by PBKS, RCB’s disciplined bowling in the middle overs proved decisive. Do you think RCB can maintain this momentum throughout the tournament?
RCB showed incredible resilience in this match, turning the tables after their previous defeat against PBKS. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal’s partnership was a masterclass in controlled aggression and precision. The bowlers, especially Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, delivered when it mattered most, dismantling PBKS’s batting lineup. This victory solidifies RCB’s position as a strong contender in the IPL 2025 season. Can they maintain this momentum in their upcoming matches?