PBKS vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2025: Who Won Yesterday’s Match?
PBKS vs RCB Highlights, In Match 37 of IPL 2025, PBKS vis-a-vis RCB proved to be a nail-biting contest. The Mullanpur-based Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium witnessed the match possessing all the fireworks of a scintillating T20 clash. With the teams fighting for vital points, it was only logical for the audiences to expect a fierce contest; they were not wrong.
Royal Challallengers Bengaluru trampled over PBKS with a seven-wicket victory. That victory was RCB’s fifth away win on the trot, corroborating their rising form and confidence approaching the business end of the tournament.
Let’s See how the match unfolded and the turning points (PBKS vs RCB Highlights)
PBKS Batted First And Started Strong, But Faltered Midway:
After winning the toss, Punjab Kings decided to bat first. What appeared to be a good decision in the initial stages saw openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh go after the bowling. The two put up a strong start with 42 runs in just 4.2 overs, putting some early jitters into the RCB camp with their aggressive intent.
However, much to RCB’s salvation, Krunal Pandya returned back to the game. He dismissed Arya for 22, breaking the momentum given to PBKS. Just one over later, he struck again, and this time, the big fish, the dangerous Prabhsimran, went back for 33. With these two quick wickets, it was now a middle-order collapse, thus ruining Punjab’s chances of building a score.
Captain Shreyas Iyer could not settle the innings. He was gone cheaply, having been caught sharply by Krunal Pandya. Then came a horrible mix-up between Nehal Wadhera and Josh Inglis, ending with a run-out. RCB’s Suyash Sharma then brought about a moment that changed the game in the following over, dismissing both Inglis and Marcus Stoinis.
Suddenly with PBKS on a promising start, it seemed to be all apocalypse and doom.
Lower Order Adds Respectability, But Total Feels Light
Despite being on the back foot, Punjab’s lower middle order put up some fight. Shashank Singh held one end, remaining unbeaten for 31 runs, while Marco Jansen scored 25 runs on the other. The two added a few important runs toward the end to take PBKS to a total of 157 for 6 after 20 overs.
It was indeed a competitive total, but it had an under-par look to it, given the nature of the track and immense firepower that the RCB top order possessed.
RCB’s Chase Begins With A Hiccup
RCB’s chase didn’t start well. Wicketkeeper Phil Salt was out in the very first over, much to PBKS’s delight. Still, thoughts of a collapse vanished just as quickly when Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal took charge of the innings.
There was elegance, there was aggression, and there was Kohli with his beautiful cover drives and wristy flicks, holding the innings together. Padikkal, at the other end, eased the pressure off his senior partner with a merciless counter-attack of his own. He pummelled 61 off 35 balls with clean hitting and clever rotation of strike.
As if that was not enough, their adding of 103 runs for the second wicket finally practically sealed the game for RCB.
Kohli Finishes It, and RCB Scoops It Up Comfortably
After Padikkal’s exit, RCB required fewer than 50 runs to win. Kohli made sure that there were no slip-ups. He finished the chase unbeaten on 73 from 54 balls. His calmness in pitch and finding of boundaries at crucial moments kept the scorecard ticking.
He came in towards the end and provided the last hammer with a good six, sealing RCB’s victory. They reached 159 for 3 in just 18.5 overs, and they did it with seven wickets in hand and plenty of time to spare.
Star Performers of the Match
Virat Kohli – Anchoring the Chase
Kohli once again proved why he is a master at T20 chases. His unbeaten 73 is a perfect blend of caution and aggression. His strike rotation kept the pressure on PBKS, and his control over the innings ensured no panic spread among the batters.
Devdutt Padikkal – The Game Changer
Padikkal changed the tempo of the match by being aggressive on the crease. His sizzling knock of 61 struck the heart of PBKS and rattled their defensive lines. Very crucial in not letting Punjab get that control after the early breakthrough.
Krunal Pandya – The Momentum Breaker
Krunal had turned the match around during PBKS’s innings with his two wickets in quick succession and his catch of wonder. His economy and delivering performances under pressure were instrumental in keeping the target within reach for RCB.
Suyash Sharma – The Impact Player
Double Strike by Suyash in the over crippled the middle-order batsmen in PBKS. He bowled brilliantly with variation, and accuracy proved why RCB counted on him during crucial overs.
What This Means for Both Teams
Basically, it is still the much-needed victory for RCB in their pursuit of playoff contention. Five away wins in succession extend the momentum to the peak point of its timing. The balance in the team, coupled with consistent contributions from batters and bowlers, indicate that this could be a team hitting form.
For Punjab Kings, this defeat raises concerns regarding their middle-order consistency. Cluster flops take place now and again with the top order giving a lion’s share of good starts before the frequent collapse. This will be worrying for the team management and needs to be put right quickly if they are to stay in contention.
Final Thoughts
The PBKS vs RCB match of IPL 2025 is a fine specimen of how momentum swings define the outcome in T20 cricket. Composed approach and smart execution of RCB saw them once again decimate the opposition. Kohli and Padikkal shone with the bat, while Krunal and Suyash did the damage with the ball.
RCB fans will have nothing to complain about in this victory, while PBKS supporters can only wait for their team to recover better. Such games are critical as the tournament heats up in shaping playoff scenarios.
