Hey there, cricket fans! If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like settling in for an IPL match on a warm evening, especially when it’s a clash between two teams with so much history and heart. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) versus Rajasthan Royals (RR) showdown in IPL 2025 was one for the ages—a nail-biter that had the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru roaring from the first ball to the last. On April 24, 2025, these two franchises lit up the field in Match 42, and if you’re searching for the full Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals Match Scorecard, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m talking about a game where RCB posted a mammoth 205/5, only for RR to come charging back with a fiery 194/9 in pursuit. In the end, RCB held on for an 11-run victory, their first home win of the season, thanks to some heroic bowling. Whether you’re a die-hard RCB supporter dreaming of that elusive IPL trophy or an RR fan appreciating the fight, this match had drama, skill, and those classic IPL twists. Let’s dive into the scorecard, key moments, player highlights, and what it all means—I’ll keep it straightforward, fun, and easy to follow, just like chatting over a cup of chai.
The Build-Up: Why This Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals Match Scorecard Mattered
Before we get to the nitty-gritty of the scorecard, a quick rewind. IPL 2025 has been a rollercoaster for both teams. RCB, led by the evergreen Virat Kohli, started strong but stumbled in away games, desperate for points to climb the table. Coming into this fixture, they were sitting pretty at second place but needed a home boost to solidify their playoff spot. On the flip side, Rajasthan Royals—usually the table-toppers—were in a rough patch. With stand-in skipper Riyan Parag at the helm (regular captain Sanju Samson was sidelined), RR had lost four in a row, slipping to ninth. This was their fifth straight defeat, matching their worst streak from 2009-10.
The venue? The electric Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its short boundaries and dew factor that turns chases into adventures. RR won the toss and elected to bowl first—smart move on paper, given the pitch’s early seam-friendly nature. But as the sun set, dew played its part, making the second innings a batting paradise. Little did they know, this decision would lead to one of the most thrilling RCB vs RR scorecards in recent IPL memory.
Toss and Team News: Setting the Stage
Toss: Rajasthan Royals won and chose to field first.
That call put immediate pressure on RCB’s batters, but it also gave RR’s bowlers—led by the wily Sandeep Sharma and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga—a chance to strike early. RCB’s playing XI was a mix of experience and firepower: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (the English opener on loan), Devdutt Padikkal, and finishers like Tim David. Their bowling attack? Josh Hazlewood’s express pace, Krunal Pandya’s spin guile, and Yash Dayal’s left-arm swing.
RR, missing Samson, leaned on young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, with Parag anchoring the middle order. Impact players on both sides added intrigue—RCB brought in Suyash Sharma for extra spin, while RR subbed in Vaibhav Suryavanshi late for batting depth. Umpires Michael Gough and Ulhas Gandhe kept things tight, with Virender Sharma as the third umpire.
Now, let’s get to the heart of it: the full match scorecard. I’ve broken it down into easy-to-read tables for batting and bowling performances. No jargon overload—just the facts, so you can scan it quick or savor every detail.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings: A Power-Packed 205/5
RCB’s innings was like a fireworks display—starting steady, exploding in the middle, and finishing with a bang despite losing wickets. They raced to 59/0 in the first six overs, with Kohli and Salt looking untouchable. But RR fought back with some smart bowling, only for Padikkal and Kohli to stitch a match-defining partnership.
Here’s the RCB batting scorecard:
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | c Jaiswal b Sharma | 32 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 177.78 |
| Virat Kohli | c Jurel b Hasaranga | 70 | 42 | 6 | 3 | 166.67 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | c Parag b Chahal | 50 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 185.19 |
| Rajat Patidar | b Boult | 18 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Tim David | c Jaiswal b Sharma | 15 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 150.00 |
| Jitesh Sharma | not out | 20 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 250.00 |
| Extras | (lb 4, w 6) | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (5 wickets; 20 overs) | 205 | – | – | – | 102.50 (RR) |
Fall of Wickets: 1-58 (Salt, 6.2 ov), 2-128 (Padikkal, 13.5 ov), 3-150 (Kohli, 16.1 ov), 4-165 (Patidar, 17.3 ov), 5-175 (David, 18.4 ov).
What a knock from Kohli! His 70 off 42 balls was vintage King Kohli—elegant drives, those signature cover shots, and a six over long-on that had the crowd on its feet. Padikkal’s 50 was equally crucial, punishing anything short with pulls that screamed confidence. Jitesh Sharma’s late cameo ensured RCB crossed 200, a total that looked defendable but daunting in T20 terms.
Rajasthan Royals Bowling: Gritty but Costly
RR’s bowlers toiled hard on a pitch offering little help initially. Sandeep Sharma was the standout, nabbing 2/45 in his four overs, including the big wicket of Salt. Hasaranga and Chahal spun webs in the middle, but extras (10 in total) hurt them. Trent Boult, the Kiwi slinger, kept things tight early but leaked runs later.
RR Bowling Scorecard:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Wides | No-Balls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Boult | 4 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 | 2 | 0 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 4 | 0 | 45 | 2 | 11.25 | 1 | 0 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 | 1 | 0 |
| Riyan Parag | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15.00 | 0 | 0 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 10.67 | 2 | 0 |
Sharma’s variations deceived the openers, and Chahal’s googly got Padikkal. But with an economy over 10 for most, RR knew the chase would be a steep ask—especially with dew making the ball skid on.
Rajasthan Royals Innings: A Valiant Chase Falling 11 Runs Short
Chasing 206 at Chinnaswamy? That’s like trying to outrun a monsoon—thrilling but slippery. RR started explosively, with Yashasvi Jaiswal unleashing hell from the get-go. He smashed 49 off just 19 balls, including a barrage of boundaries that had RCB rattled at 75/1 after five overs. But Hazlewood, the Aussie spearhead, turned the tide with a four-wicket haul that dismantled RR’s middle order.
RR Batting Scorecard:
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | c Salt b Hazlewood | 49 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 257.89 |
| Jos Buttler | b Dayal | 22 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 157.14 |
| Riyan Parag | c Kohli b Pandya | 35 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | lbw b Hazlewood | 12 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 150.00 |
| Dhruv Jurel | c Patidar b Hazlewood | 47 | 34 | 4 | 2 | 138.24 |
| Rovman Powell | c David b Hazlewood | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | run out (Sharma) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | not out | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Sandeep Sharma | c Kohli b Pandya | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Trent Boult | b Dayal | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Extras | (lb 5, w 5) | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (9 wickets; 20 overs) | 194 | – | – | – | 97.00 (RR) |
Fall of Wickets: 1-75 (Jaiswal, 5.1 ov), 2-85 (Buttler, 7.2 ov), 3-102 (Hetmyer, 9.4 ov), 4-135 (Parag, 13.6 ov), 5-160 (Powell, 16.2 ov), 6-170 (Hasaranga, 17.1 ov), 7-185 (Jurel, 18.5 ov), 8-186 (Sharma, 19.1 ov), 9-194 (Boult, 19.6 ov).
Jaiswal’s blitz was poetry—six fours and three sixes in a dream start. Jurel’s 47 kept RR in the hunt, smashing Hazlewood for a six in the 18th over. But at 194/9, they fell agonizingly short. Parag’s 35 was gritty, but the required run rate climbed to 15+ in the death.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bowling: Hazlewood’s Heroics Seal the Deal
RCB’s bowlers, especially Hazlewood, were lions in the chase. His 4/33 in four overs was a masterclass—seam movement, bouncers, and yorkers that broke RR’s backbone. Krunal Pandya’s spin (2/31) choked the middle overs, and Yash Dayal picked timely wickets.
RCB Bowling Scorecard:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Wides | No-Balls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 0 | 33 | 4 | 8.25 | 1 | 0 |
| Yash Dayal | 4 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 | 2 | 0 |
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 11.25 | 1 | 0 |
| Suyash Sharma | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 10.67 | 1 | 0 |
| Karn Sharma | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 | 0 | 0 |
Hazlewood’s spell—getting Jaiswal, Hetmyer, Powell, and Jurel—was pure gold. Pandya’s arm-ball trapped Parag, and Dayal’s swing accounted for Buttler and Boult. Siraj went for runs but built pressure.
Key Moments That Swung the Game
Cricket’s beauty is in the small things, right? Here are the game-changers:
- Kohli’s Fifty Partnership: After Salt’s exit, Kohli and Padikkal added 70 runs for the second wicket. Kohli’s pull shot off Boult in the 10th over shifted momentum—RCB went from 60/1 to 130/1.
- Jaiswal’s Onslaught: RR’s opener treated Hazlewood like a practice net early on, hitting three sixes in one over. At 75/0 after powerplay, victory seemed RR’s. But Hazlewood’s slower ball in the sixth over nipped that in the bud.
- DRS Drama: Two key reviews—RR challenging a wide to David (upheld) and another to Padikkal. Umpire Gough’s calls were spot-on, but they added edge-of-seat tension.
- Death Over Mayhem: Needing 31 off the last two, Jurel smashed a four and six, but Hazlewood’s yorker to Powell and a run-out sealed it. RR’s fifth consecutive loss stung.
- Impact Subs Shine: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s brief cameo for RR nearly turned it, but RCB’s Suyash Sharma bowled a tight over.
These moments remind us why T20 is the ultimate thrill ride.
Player Performances: Stars of the Show
- Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – 4/33. The tall Aussie was unplayable, earning MVP honors with 115.33 points on Cricinfo’s scale. His experience trumped youth.
- Virat Kohli (RCB): 70 off 42. Not just runs—his leadership in the huddle post-innings inspired the bowlers.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): 49 off 19. A reminder of why he’s India’s next big thing—pure aggression.
- Devdutt Padikkal (RCB): 50 off 27. The left-hander’s timing was impeccable, silencing doubters.
- Dhruv Jurel (RR): 47 off 34. The keeper-batter’s composure in the chase was RR’s brightest spark.
Honorable mention to Sandeep Sharma for his two wickets, keeping RR in the fight.
Post-Match Buzz: What the Captains Said
Faf du Plessis (RCB captain): “Dew made it tricky, but the bowlers clawed back. Winning at home feels special—now for the playoffs push!”
Riyan Parag (RR stand-in captain): “We came close, but dropped catches hurt. Pride’s all that’s left; we’ll fight on.”
Kohli added: “Chinnaswamy’s the best ground in IPL. Fans, this one’s for you!”
Implications for IPL 2025 Points Table
This win catapults RCB to third with 12 points (6 wins from 9), behind Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals on net run rate. They’re now firm playoff contenders. For RR, it’s doom and gloom—2 wins from 9, seventh place, and elimination looming. Only a miracle run can save them. Next up for RCB: A survival clash against Chennai Super Kings. The IPL drama never stops!
Head-to-Head History: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals Match Scorecard Through the Years
This was the 32nd IPL meeting betweenRoyal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals Match Scorecard. Historically, it’s been even—RCB leads 17-14. Memorable clashes include RR’s 59-run thrashing of RCB in 2024 and Kohli’s 113* in 2013. In IPL 2025’s first leg (Match 28 in Jaipur), RCB chased 174 with ease, winning by 9 wickets thanks to Phil Salt’s 76*. This reverse fixture evens the season series 1-1.
Fun stat: Kohli averages 45+ against RR, with four fifties. Jaiswal, meanwhile, has three ducks in his last five vs RCB—until this fiery 49.
Why Chinnaswamy Loves These Battles
Bengaluru’s fortress has hosted 10 RCB-RR games, with RCB winning 6. The dew factor (as Faf noted) often favors chases, but Hazlewood’s skill neutralized it. Average first-innings score here? 172. RCB’s 205 was the highest of the season at home.
Wrapping Up: A Match for the Memory Banks
What a ride this Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals Match Scorecard turned out to be! From Kohli’s masterclass to Hazlewood’s demolition, it had everything that makes IPL addictive. RCB fans, breathe easy—your team’s back in the hunt. RR supporters, hang in there; cricket’s full of comebacks.
