After a 10-day hiatus owing to security concerns, (Indian Premier League) is back. The break caused the schedule of the post-break matches to be rejigged, but the season will restart with the only game that has not had a change in date or timing.
Originally scheduled as Match No. 68, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) versus Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will now be Match No. 58. RCB have one foot in the door as far as qualification for the playoffs is concerned. KKR, though, have extremely less chances, and another loss will officially eliminate them from contention.
Both teams played their most recent matches against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), although they were a while ago. The schedule revision means that RCB will be playing consecutive home games for the first time this season. The second-placed RCB finished on the right side of a humdinger against Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru in their last match.
Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell got off to a flier, but Matheesha Pathirana induced a lull in the innings with their wickets. Romario Shepherd then blitzed the joint-second fastest IPL fifty ever in the last two overs, including a 33-run over off Khaleel Ahmed.
RCB then put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat with two early powerplay wickets, but Ayush Mhatre and Ravindra Jadeja brought CSK back with a commanding partnership. RCB, though, barged in as Lungi Ngidi dismissed Mhatre and Dewald Brevis off successive balls, the latter under controversy. RCB found their way back and maintained better control over proceedings until the end.
In the last over, Yash Dayal was tasked with defending 15 runs. After two runs and the wicket of MS Dhoni off the first three balls, RCB were looking to win. But the pressure leaked, and Shivam Dube sent a beamer for six. Dayal eventually regained his composure as he conceded singles off the next three balls, and RCB were home by just two runs.
KKR, though, lost to CSK in Kolkata, putting their season in trouble. The win broke a four-match losing streak for CSK in the tournament. Apart from Ajinkya Rahane and Andre Russell, no other KKR batter could do much in the face of some excellent middle-overs bowling from Noor Ahmad. CSK’s chase, however, was in jeopardy. Both their openers were dismissed for ducks, but debutant Urvil Patel kept the attack up. Chennai fizzled out and eventually lost half their side before the fielding restrictions were lifted.
KKR were actually ahead in the game, but Dewald Brevis turned everything around with a 30-run over off Vaibhav Arora. From there, it was a breeze as, despite the loss of more wickets, MS Dhoni saw the chase through in the last over.
In other news, most of RCB’s overseas players have returned after the break, but KKR will be without Moeen Ali.
IPL Stats & Records at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Bengaluru hasn’t been the batting haven it has always been known as in this season of the IPL. Only two first-innings totals of over 200 have been registered in five matches here.
| Matches Played |
100 |
| Matches Won Batting First |
43 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 52 |
| Matches With No Result | 04 |
| Matches Tied | 01 |
| Average First Innings Score | 178 |
| Highest Team Total | 287 |
| Highest Total Successfully Chased | 213 |
Player battles to watch out for in RCB vs KKR Match 58, IPL 2025
1. Virat Kohli vs Sunil Narine
Over the years, the two have had an extensive battle in the IPL. Virat Kohli has made 136 runs from 129 balls at a strike rate of 105.42. Sunil Narine has dismissed Kohli four times in the tournament at an average of 34.
2. Rinku Singh vs Yash Dayal
Ever since Rinku Singh hit Yash Dayal for five sixes in an over, both have scaled different paths in their careers. Coming head-to-head once again, memories will flow in abundance. So far, Singh has scored 37 runs off 11 balls against Dayal at a strike rate of 336.36 and has been dismissed once at an average of 37.
