RR vs RCB: Salt’s blazing 65 powers RCB to 9-wicket win, extends green jersey streak in day-game thriller

RR vs RCB: In a dazzling afternoon clash filled with big hits, bold moves, and a blazing opening stand, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dismantled Rajasthan Royals (RR) by nine wickets, chasing down a target of 174 in just 17.3 overs.

The star of the show? Philip Salt, who bludgeoned 65 off 33 deliveries and rightfully walked away with the Player of the Match award.

RR vs RCB Salt s blazing 65 powers RCB to 9-wicket win extends green jersey streak in day-game thriller — Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Photos: X Handle)

Wearing their symbolic green jersey—an annual tradition symbolising environmental awareness—RCB maintained their flawless record in the special kit, adding another memorable victory to their collection of green-game wins. This also marked their fifth consecutive win over RR in a day match, flipping the early-day narrative between these two IPL giants.

Match Highlights: RCB vs RR – RCB Won by 9 Wickets

RCB in Green Jersey: Continued their unbeaten run in green with another dominant display.

Rajasthan Royals Innings – 173/4 (20 Overs)

Yashasvi Jaiswal gave RR a flying start with 47 off 30 balls (4 fours, 1 six).
Sanju Samson struggled on a sluggish pitch – 15 off 19 balls.
Riyan Parag added a steady 30 off 22, striking at 136.
Dhruv Jurel finished strong with an unbeaten 35* off 22 balls.
Fall of Wickets: 49-1 (Samson), 105-2 (Parag), 126-3 (Jaiswal), 169-4 (Hetmyer).
Top Bowling for RCB:
- Josh Hazlewood: 3-0-26-1
- Krunal Pandya: 4-0-29-1
- Yash Dayal: 4-0-36-1

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings – 175/1 (17.3 Overs)

Philip Salt set the tone with a blistering 65 off 33 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes).
Virat Kohli anchored the chase, finishing unbeaten on 62* off 45 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes).
Devdutt Padikkal closed the game with a fluent 40* off 28 balls.
Only Wicket: Salt, dismissed at 92-1 in the 9th over.
Chase Completed: With 15 balls to spare.

Player of the Match: Philip Salt

Explosive powerplay hitting dismantled RR’s bowling early. Strike rate of nearly 197 — turned the game decisively in RCB’s favour.

Key Stats:

RCB’s fifth straight day-game win against RR.
Devdutt Padikkal becomes the second Indian after Kohli to reach 1000+ runs for RCB in the IPL.
RCB remains unbeaten in green jersey matches across five IPL seasons (2011, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2025).

Salt Sets the Tone

Opening alongside the ever-dependable Virat Kohli, Philip Salt wasted no time in announcing his intentions. From the outset, he took the attack to the RR bowlers, launching into boundaries with sheer authority. His knock, laced with seven fours and three sixes, came at an astonishing strike rate of 196.97.

Salt and Kohli stitched together a 92-run stand in just 8.4 overs, completely nullifying the modest total that RR had put on the board. Though Salt eventually fell to Kumar Kartikeya, the damage had been done.

“I really enjoyed his batting from the dug-out,” said Rajat Patidar, RCB’s captain. “The way he was striking and at the same time VK (Virat Kohli) was rotating the strike—it was really special. We always look to play positive and good cricket.”

Kohli and Padikkal Polish It Off

After Salt’s departure, it was a composed and clinical finish from Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, who ensured no hiccups occurred in the final stretch. Kohli, in sublime form, finished unbeaten on 62 off 45 with four boundaries and two sixes, striking at a fluid 137.78.

Padikkal, playing against his former franchise, was equally brilliant, racing to 40* off 28 balls, pushing RCB past the finishing line with style. The knock helped him reach a significant milestone—becoming the second Indian after Kohli to score over 1000 runs for RCB in the IPL.

“I love playing for this franchise and I really care for it,” Padikkal shared. “Technically I needed to change a few things in order to be at my best, and I’m doing that. DK and Andy have worked relentlessly with me, and it is paying off.”

Royals Struggle Despite Jurel’s Blitz

Earlier in the day, RR, after being put into bat, posted a competitive yet slightly under-par 173/4 on a slowish surface. The top order faltered under pressure, with captain Sanju Samson and young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal falling after promising starts.

The middle order briefly revived the innings, but it was Dhruv Jurel who really injected momentum, smashing an unbeaten 35 off just 22 balls. He found some support from Shimron Hetmyer (9) and Nitish Rana (4*), but the score never looked daunting, especially once RCB’s openers got going.

“Absolutely, 170 felt like a handy score. But we knew they would come hard at us, and I think they won the game in the powerplay. Catches win matches. We dropped theirs, they dropped ours—no doubt we have to improve. Credit to RCB—they were really good,” Samson admitted.

RCB’s Bowling Foundation

While Salt and Kohli grabbed the limelight, RCB’s bowlers deserve equal applause. On a pitch offering some grip early on, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Krunal Pandya set the tone with tight lines and disciplined bowling. Hazlewood removed the dangerous Jaiswal, Krunal got Samson stumped, and Yash Dayal picked up the key wicket of Riyan Parag.

“The way the bowlers executed their plans was really special. The wicket wasn’t easy to bat on—we were targeting 150-170. I get my confidence from my bowlers. They’re ready to bowl on any surface and at any stage,” said Patidar.