On a thrilling Sunday evening, April 13, 2025, the 28th match of the IPL saw the Rajasthan Royals take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the picturesque Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The stage was set for an exhilarating showdown, and the match did not disappoint.
Batting first, the Rajasthan Royals posted a competitive total of 173 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performer for the Royals was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played a magnificent innings of 75 runs off 71 balls. His innings included 10 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing his aggressive yet composed batting style. Supporting him was Riyan Parag, who contributed a quick-fire 30 runs off 24 balls, while Dhruv Jurel played a crucial role by remaining not out on 35 runs off 34 balls.
Despite a solid opening, Rajasthan struggled at times, with skipper Sanju Samson managing only 15 runs and Shimron Hetmyer falling short with just 9 runs. The team managed to keep up a respectable run rate of 8.65, with a few extras adding to their total as well.
Chasing the target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru showed their dominance by comfortably reaching 175 runs for the loss of just 1 wicket in merely 17.3 overs. Phil Salt was outstanding, smashing 65 runs off just 38 deliveries, including 5 fours and 6 towering sixes, boasting an impressive strike rate of 196.96. He was well supported by Virat Kohli, who displayed his trademark calmness and skill, walking off the pitch unbeaten on 62 runs from 74 balls. Devdutt Padikkal rounded out the innings with a steady 40 runs off 35 balls, helping RCB secure a commanding 9-wicket victory, with 15 balls remaining.
The bowlers from Rajasthan struggled to contain the explosive batting performance from RCB, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Josh Hazlewood claiming one wicket each, but they were unable to exert consistent pressure.
In conclusion, this match was a testament to the exhilarating and dynamic nature of T20 cricket. The victory propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru further up the points table, while Rajasthan will need to regroup and reassess their strategies moving forward. Fans were treated to a showcase of talent, power hitting, and strategic play that epitomizes the very essence of the IPL.