 "RCB picked up quick wickets to put the pressure back on PBKS. Image: Reuters")
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are showing great fightback in the IPL 2025 final after Punjab Kings got off to a strong start in their big run chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. RCB have picked up quick wickets and put the pressure back on Punjab Kings.
RCB make a comeback
Chasing 191 to win their maiden IPL title, Punjab were off to a flying start. Young opener Priyansh Arya looked confident, smashing 4 boundaries in his 19-ball 24. Prabhsimran Singh also joined in the party, hitting two sixes and keeping the scoreboard moving. At one stage, PBKS looked in control with 43/0.
But the match quickly turned in RCB’s favour. Josh Hazlewood gave Bengaluru their first breakthrough by dismissing Arya, thanks to a brilliant catch near the boundary by Phil Salt. Krunal Pandya then removed the dangerous Prabhsimran, and just when PBKS were hoping for a rebuild, Romario Shepherd took the big wicket of captain Shreyas Iyer for just 1 run.
Krunal Pandya also dismissed Josh Inglis in his final over of the night just when the Australian was looking to take the attack on RCB.
Earlier, RCB posted 190/9 in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli was the top scorer with a steady 43 off 35, while cameos from Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma gave the innings a late boost. Jitesh was particularly explosive, smashing 24 off just 10 balls. Punjab’s Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets each.