RCB’s top-2 finish in IPL 2025 is still alive – but only if this happens | Cricket News

Virat Kohli (Image credit score: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru squandered a golden alternative to seal a high-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings, falling to a 42-run defeat towards Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.Chasing a frightening 232-run goal—powered by Ishan Kishan’s scintillating unbeaten 94 off 48 balls—RCB wanted a exact and aggressive strategy with the bat.They discovered preliminary momentum by means of Phil Salt (62 off 32), Virat Kohli (43 off 25), and Jitesh Sharma (24 off 15), but the chase finally fizzled out because the guests had been bowled out for 189. The loss marked RCB’s first away defeat this season.RCB’s reply started brightly with Kohli and Salt racing to 80 in the primary seven overs. Kohli, not too long ago retired from Test cricket, led the early cost—hammering two fours off Harshal Patel and launching a swatted six off Eshan Malinga.

However, his acquainted weak spot towards left-arm spin resurfaced, as he was dismissed by 22-12 months-previous Harsh Dubey—Ranji Trophy 2024-25’s main wicket-taker for champions Vidarbha. This marked the twenty second time Kohli has fallen to left-arm spin in T20s.Salt, in the meantime, overcame a sluggish begin—scoring 14 off his first 12 balls—to blast 48 runs in the following 20. A tennis-type forehand six off Nitish Kumar Reddy stood out for its aptitude. He reached his half-century in 27 balls but was quickly hampered by cramps and dismissed by Pat Cummins.

Despite constant boundaries on a real pitch, RCB’s innings unraveled in the latter half. Skipper Rajat Patidar (18) and Jitesh stitched a brisk 44-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking the facet to 173/3 in the sixteenth over. But a calamitous combine-up resulted in Patidar being run out by an extended margin. In the identical over, Malinga dismissed Romario Shepherd for a golden duck, triggering a collapse.

Jitesh, together with Tim David—who appeared to endure a hamstring damage—departed inside 9 deliveries, and the battle drained out of RCB. They misplaced their closing seven wickets for simply 60 runs as Cummins (3/28) and Malinga (2/37) spearheaded SRH’s bowling effort.CAN RCB STILL MAKE THE TOP TWO?The defeat sees RCB drop to 3rd place with 17 factors, behind Gujarat Titans (18) and Punjab Kings (17), with their internet run charge taking successful. The loss considerably complicates their high-two ambitions. Even a win in their closing league recreation may not be sufficient—they now rely on different outcomes to fall in their favour to safe a high-two finish.