New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) rode on brilliant half-centuries from openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli to defeat Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 9 wickets and return to winning ways in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Sunday, April 13. Kohli and Salt shared a match-winning opening stand of 92 runs to guide their team home in a tricky chase of 174 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Salt and Kohli continued their purple patch this season to get RCB off to a flyer in pursuit of the 174-run target. The duo once again dominated the proceedings in the Powerplay after surviving an initial scare from Jofra Archer. Salt was the aggressor as usual, helping RCB amass 65 runs in the Powerplay while racing to his fifty off just 28 balls.
He was eventually dismissed on 65 off 33 balls by left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya in the 9th over as he drew the first blood for the hosts in the game. However, Salt had done the damage by then, with RCB in cruise control in the chase. Kohli picked up from where Salt had left and continued the momentum as he upped the ante after his opening partner’s dismissal.
Kohli completed his fifty off 39 balls with a six against Wanindu Hasaranaga in the 15th over and finished with a cracking unbeaten 62 off just 45 balls laced with 4 fours and two sixes. He was well supported by Devdutt Padikkal, who smashed an unbeaten 40 off 28 balls. The duo shared an unbeaten 83-run stand for the 3rd wicket to take RCB home with 15 balls to spare.
Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli slammed half-centuries apiece to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrash Rajasthan Royals by 9 wickets and return to winning ways in IPL 2025. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
