Powerplay (Overs 1-4):
RCB:- 26/3 (6.5 rpo, 3x4, 1x6) || PBKS:- 33/2 (8.25 rpo, 3x4, 1x6)

Middle Overs (Overs 5-10):
RCB:- 21/4 (3.5 rpo, 1x4, 0x6) || PBKS:- 32/2 (5.33 rpo, 3x4, 1x6)

Death Overs (Overs 11-14):
RCB:- 48/2 (12 rpo, 5x4, 3x6) || PBKS:- 33/1 in 2.1 overs (15.23 rpo, 2x4, 3x6) 
 

After persistent rain forced a delayed start, turning this much-anticipated clash into a 14-over slugfest, fans were treated to a rollercoaster at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. What began as a power-hitting showcase from Tim David became a redemption story for Nehal Wadhera as Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 5 wickets, registering back-to-back wins in the 2025 IPL season.

Toss eventually took place at 9:30 PM IST, with the game reduced to 14 overs a side. The pitch was tacky, and the powerplay just four overs. Every ball was crucial. RCB were put in to bat and that’s where the troubles began.

RCB’s innings never got going. Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Liam Livingstone all fell cheaply as Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen wrecked the top-order. Skipper Rajat Patidar tried to counter but fell to Chahal after a brief 23. From there, RCB slid to 42/7, and it looked like a sub-80 score was on the cards.

In what turned out to be a rescue act of the highest quality, David smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 26 balls, peppering with five boundaries and three sixes. He clobbered Harpreet Brar in the final over, taking RCB to a competitive 95/9 in 14 overs — a score that once seemed out of reach.

PBKS started briskly with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, but Hazlewood and Bhuvi struck in the powerplay to dent their momentum. Inglis and skipper Shreyas Iyer also departed in quick succession, leaving Punjab reeling at 53/4.

But Nehal Wadhera, cool as ever, absorbed the pressure and counter-punched in style. He stitched together vital runs with calculated aggression, hitting 33* off 19 balls, including a six and a four. Marcus Stoinis finished it off with a towering six, as Punjab chased down the target in 12.1 overs, clinching the game with 11 balls to spare.

Rajat Patidar | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain
"Early on, the pitch was sticking a bit and felt two-paced. We could’ve certainly done a lot better as a batting unit.When you’re batting first, partnerships become crucial. Unfortunately, we kept losing wickets at regular intervals and couldn’t build any momentum.It was a conditions-based decision—we had to make that change to adapt.Honestly, it wasn’t a bad wicket. It had been under covers for quite some time, and that may have helped Punjab a bit. Credit to their bowlers for exploiting those conditions. But as a batting unit, we should’ve been good enough to post a competitive total.Our bowling unit has been consistent and doing really well. Even with the bat, there was good intent—it didn’t click today, but sometimes that’s how it goes. It’s just a matter of time before it all comes together.We face Punjab again in a few days. Our focus will be on correcting the errors in the batting department—we’ll review, reset, and come back stronger."

 

Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings Captain:
"Variety is the spice of life—and this season, we’ve certainly experienced all kinds of games!Tonight, a lot of our decisions were instinctive. Marco Jansen used the bounce beautifully, and the rest of the bowling unit backed him up brilliantly. Honestly, I didn’t expect the surface to play the way it did, but the bowlers adapted really well.One observation—I didn’t see a single six hit straight down the ground off a pacer, which shows how tricky the pitch was.Nehal was outstanding with his approach—composed, proactive, and very effective.I also had a personal chat with Chahal. He’s got the quality to bounce back anytime. In fact, I’d say he’s probably been the best bowler in the IPL so far. Of course, performance also depends on the surface, but he’s always in the game."
 

Tim David | Player of the Match:
"It didn’t feel all that easy out there tonight.I had a chance to assess the conditions and get a feel for how the pitch was playing, which helped me adapt as the innings went on.Look, our coaching staff has built this squad with clear roles in mind—we’ve got batters who bring different strengths. I’m just happy to contribute in whatever role is asked of me.Sure, it was nice to face a few more balls today, but I won’t be asking any questions about my position—I trust the team’s plans.The key tonight was building partnerships. It was a tricky surface, and we had to manage our risks carefully. I’m pleased with how I played, but I’ll feel even better enjoying a drink after a solid win.It’s been a bit of a challenge this season—we’ve encountered different conditions in almost every game. Tonight’s pitch had been under the covers, and we haven’t quite nailed it at home yet. That’s something we’ve got to acknowledge and improve upon."