PBKS vs RCB: Kohli's Unbeaten 73 Guides Bengaluru to 7-Wicket Win in IPL 2025 Match 37 at Mullanpur

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PBKS vs RCB: A familiar name lit up the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by an imperious Virat Kohli, romped to a commanding 7-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the 37th match of IPL 2025.

It was a chase navigated with precision, poise, and a fair bit of panache as RCB scaled down PBKS’s total of 157 with seven balls to spare.

Kohli, the heartbeat of the RCB setup, was once again the difference-maker, stroking his way to a fluent 73 not out off 54 deliveries, laced with five fours and a trio of sixes. He was rightly named Player of the Match, having anchored the innings with the calm of a seasoned maestro and the timing of a symphony.

Match Summary

• Punjab Kings: 157/6 (20 overs)
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 159/3 (18.5 overs)
• Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 7 wickets
• Player of the Match: Virat Kohli - 73* off 54 balls

Match Highlights: PBKS vs RCB

Punjab Kings Innings – 157/6 (20 overs)

• Prabhsimran Singh: 33 runs off 17 balls (5 fours, 1 six)
• Josh Inglis: 29 off 17, dismissed by Suyash Sharma
• Middle-order collapsed from 62/1 to 114/6
• Shashank Singh: 31* (33 balls)
• Marco Jansen: 25* (20 balls)
• Key RCB bowlers:
• Krunal Pandya: 4-0-25-2
• Suyash Sharma: 4-0-26-2

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings – 159/3 (18.5 overs)

• Philip Salt: Dismissed for 0 (Arshdeep Singh)
• Virat Kohli: 73* off 54 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes)
• Devdutt Padikkal: 61 off 35 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes)
• 103-run stand between Kohli and Padikkal for the second wicket
• Rajat Patidar: 12 runs
• Jitesh Sharma: 11* off 8 balls
• RCB won with 7 balls to spare

Key Moments:

• Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma broke PBKS’s back with quick wickets in the middle overs
• RCB's calm and composed chase led by Kohli ensured a comfortable finish
• RCB’s varied bowling attack choked PBKS during crucial phases

PBKS Falter After a Bright Start

Put in to bat after RCB opted to bowl first, Punjab Kings’ innings never quite hit the rhythm they would have liked on a good batting surface. Despite a positive start from Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, both of whom looked aggressive early on, the home side’s momentum stalled after the initial burst.

Arya, after a couple of crisp boundaries, was the first to go for 22, miscuing a sweep to Tim David off Krunal Pandya. Prabhsimran followed soon after, falling to the same bowler for 33, trying to up the ante but perishing in the process.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer struggled for fluency, managing just 6 before being caught brilliantly by Krunal off Romario Shepherd. The middle order, save for a counter-attacking 29 from Josh Inglis, couldn’t quite break free. Inglis’ quickfire knock included two sixes and three boundaries but was undone by Suyash Sharma’s clever leg-spin.

The real dent came in the space of four deliveries during the 14th over. Inglis was castled by Suyash, and Marcus Stoinis, sent in to accelerate, lasted just a ball, also falling to the same bowler. The scoreboard read 114 for 6, and the innings had suddenly lost steam.

However, Shashank Singh (31*) and Marco Jansen (25*) added an unbeaten 43 for the seventh wicket, ensuring PBKS crossed the 150-mark. But the final total of 157 for 6 felt below par, especially against a batting unit boasting the likes of Kohli, Salt, and Padikkal.

Among RCB’s bowlers, Krunal Pandya (4-0-25-2) and Suyash Sharma (4-0-26-2) were particularly effective, while Romario Shepherd and Hazlewood kept things tight.

Kohli, Padikkal Seal the Deal

The RCB reply began with a minor hiccup as Philip Salt fell for a golden duck, nicking behind off Arshdeep Singh in the first over. But any hopes of a collapse were swiftly dashed as Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal took control of the innings.

Padikkal, playing with wonderful intent, matched Kohli stroke for stroke, hammering 61 off just 35 balls, including three sixes and five boundaries. His knock provided the perfect foil for Kohli, who was more than happy to rotate the strike and pick his moments.

The duo stitched together a 103-run partnership for the second wicket, which not only steadied the innings but also kept the asking rate comfortably in check. It was a calculated assault, blending aggression with smart placement and running.

Padikkal eventually fell to Harpreet Brar, skying one to Nehal Wadhera in the deep, but by then, RCB were well on track. Rajat Patidar chipped in with a brisk 12 before becoming Yuzvendra Chahal’s lone scalp.

Kohli, calm as ever, ensured there were no stumbles in the endgame. He was well supported by Jitesh Sharma, who played a tidy hand of 11* from just 8 balls. The winning moment came in the 19th over, with Kohli flicking one past square leg, triggering a sea of red in the Mullanpur stands.

The win helps RCB climb up the IPL 2025 points table, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive after what has been a patchy start to their season. For Punjab Kings, the loss is another blow to their already faltering campaign. Despite flashes of individual brilliance, consistency continues to elude them.

As the tournament heads into its business end, the onus is now on PBKS to regroup quickly and find winning momentum, while RCB will look to build on this authoritative performance.