Kohli, Padikkal, bowlers keep RCB's dominant away record intact

Virat Kohli got his third fifty in as many innings in a run-chase in IPL 2025, and his unbeaten 73 was instrumental in RCB maintaining their perfect record in chases this season. It also helped continue their dominant run away from home. With a seven-wicket win against Punjab Kings, they registered their fifth win away from home this season, and are yet to lose an 'away' game. It also propelled RCB to third in the points table while Punjab suffered a loss after back-to-back wins.

What was the difference?

The way the two teams handled the spinners through the middle-overs proved to be contrasting. While Punjab lost five wickets between overs 6 and 15, RCB lost only one. Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, who also scored a fifty, also added runs at a useful clip in this phase to ensure that PBKS could not get a chokehold like RCB did in this phase.

PUNJAB KINGS

Powerplay - PBKS attack well once again

Phase Score: 62/1 (RR 10.33; 4s/6s: 9/2)

It took Punjab's openers an over to assess the conditions after being put in to bat. Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for only two in that but once the pace of the wicket was judged, both Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh were quick to get off the blocks. The next three overs went for 39 with the boundaries starting to flow. So RCB resorted to spin with Krunal Pandya being brought in and it paid immediate dividends. The left-arm spinner had Arya caught going for a big hit to peg Punjab back. But Prabhsimran continued his assault, scooping Hazlewood for a six as Punjab threatened to get away.

Middle Overs - RCB's spinners rule the roost

Phase Score: 57/5 ( RR 6.33; 4s/6s: 3/1)

Big strikes soon after the powerplay robbed PBKS off some momentum. First Prabhsimran was caught in the deep trying to take on Pandya. In the following over, Shreyas Iyer followed suit, miscuing a big hit off Romario Shepherd, who had replaced Liam Livingstone in RCB's playing squad, to be taken well by Pandya running across to his left. Soon after, Nehal Wadhera was run out after a terrible mix-up with Josh Inglis. Only eight runs came in the first two overs after the powerplay as a result and the first boundary didn't come until the fifth over after the powerplay. But PBKS were on the verge of coming back strongly thanks to a brisk 36-run stand between Josh Inglis and Shashank Singh for the fifth wicket. But that bid was nipped in the bud with Inglis backing away too far to try and hit Suyash Sharma only to lose his offstump. Suyash was not done though, as he had Marcus Stoinis bowled through the gate with a quick googly in the same over. His spin partner, Krunal Pandya finished with fiures of 2/25 in his four overs as RCB asserted their dominance through spin.

Death Overs - Yorkers ground PBKS

Phase Score: 38/0 (RR:7.6 ; 4s/6s: 0/2)

RCB's spinners continued the good work that the spinners did through the middle overs to completely choke Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen in the end overs. It didn't help their cause that PBKS had lost most of their batting firepower before, so the risk-taking was limited. That, coupled with pinpoint yorkers from Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood, ensured that only two boundaries - both sixes by Jansen - were scored in the last five overs. Only 28 runs were given away by Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar in the four overs they bowled to close off the innings. Only a last ball six by Jansen spoiled the figures a touch.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU

Powerplay - RCB brisk but watchful

Phase Score: 54/1 (RR: 9.0; 4s/6s: 7/1)

The pitch didn't allow the batters to go hammer and tongs right away. And with Phil Salt being bounced out by Arshdeep Singh in the first over, RCB were bereft of his usual firepower at the top. But despite that, Padikkal and Kohli managed to keep a healthy run-rate going right through. Kohli got going with a pull and a straight drive to get some early boundaries while Padikkal was smart in choosing his shots. He used the ramp and the pull too good effect before Kohli took a few more chances in the last over of the powerplay bowled by Jansen to pick up 12 runs and put RCB on course.

Middle Overs - Padikkal, Kohli guide RCB

Phase Score 68/1 (RR 7.55; 4s/6s: 4/3)

Unlike Punjab who lost a clump of wickets in this phase, RCB were able to expertly mix caution with aggression. In a 103-run stand for the second wicket, both Padikkal and Kohli scored fifties and ensured that RCB's chase never veered off course. Padikkal got his first IPL fifty in 22 innings, needing only 30 balls to get to the mark. A 13-run over from Marcus Stoinis in the middle proved to be the momentum-shift that the duo had waited for patiently. They were more cautious against Harpreet Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal, who was welcomed with a six by Padikkal, but executed against their targets well. Similarly Xavier Bartlett was also picked for 12 in between some quiet moments which kept pushing RCB forward. Padikkal was eventually dismissed for a 35-ball 61 failing to clear long on against Brar but significant damage had already been done. Kohli got to his 59th IPL fifty off 43 balls and continued guiding the chase.

Death Overs - RCB finish without a hiccup

Phase Score: 37/1 (RR 10.57; 4s/6s: 2/2)

Kohli acclerated through this phase getting crucial boundaries against Arshdeep Singh and Chahal that kept RCB within touching distance of the asking rate. His 34-run stand with Rajat Patidar ensured that RCB did not trip up at the finish line. Although Patidar fell to Chahal, RCB needed only 15 runs from there on. Jitesh Sharma took them over the line with a towering six that helped put one across PBKS soon after losing to them at home.

Brief Scores:Punjab Kings 157/6 (Prabhsimran Singh 33; Krunal Pandya 2-25, Suyash Sharma 2-26) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 159/3 (Virat Kohli 73*, Devdutt Padikkal 61) by 7 wickets.

What next?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head back home where they take on Rajasthan Royals on April 24 while Punjab Kings have a five-day break before they travel to take on Kolkata Knight Riders on April 26.