PBKS vs RCB Highlights: Virat Kohli leads with record-breaking fifty as clinical Royal Challengers Bengaluru crush Punjab Kings

Trending

+Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by seven wickets. RCB bowlers restricted Punjab to 157. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 73. Devdutt Padikkal contributed a dazzling 61. Their 103-run partnership secured the victory. RCB has now won five away games. The team climbed to third place on the points table. It was a dominant performance by RCB.

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a clinical all-round performance to outclass Punjab Kings by seven wickets at Mullanpur on Sunday, avenging their home defeat and leapfrogging their opponents to third place on the points table.

Also Visit: MI vs CSk IPL Live Score

Opting to bowl first, RCB executed their plans to perfection. Despite a brisk start from PBKS openers, their bowlers maintained discipline, never letting the hosts break free.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The spin duo of Krunal Pandya (2/25) and Suyash Sharma (2/26) turned the game on its head with tight middle-overs spells, restricting Punjab to a modest 157/6.

Who’s that IPL player?

Krunal’s breakthrough of Priyansh Arya (22) triggered a collapse, and Suyash’s crafty variations choked the scoring. The pressure mounted as PBKS lost three wickets for just 14 runs in a crucial phase, with a run-out further derailing their innings.

In reply, RCB’s chase was anchored by none other than Virat Kohli, who etched another record in IPL history with his 59th half-century — also his 67th fifty-plus score in the league, surpassing David Warner’s previous best of 66. Kohli remained unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls, guiding RCB to the target with seven balls to spare.

Poll

Who was the standout player in RCB’s victory against PBKS?

Suyash SharmaKrunal PandyaDevdutt PadikkalVirat Kohli

Kohli found solid support in Devdutt Padikkal, who rediscovered form with a dazzling 61 off just 35 deliveries. The duo added a match-defining 103-run stand for the second wicket, combining elegance with aggression. Padikkal’s crisp strokeplay, including four sixes and five boundaries, set the tone early, while Kohli shifted gears later in the innings, finishing with a flurry of boundaries.

Rajat Patidar (12) chipped in briefly before Jitesh Sharma sealed the win with a six in the 19th over.

Earlier, Punjab’s early momentum was undone by clever bowling changes and RCB’s fielding sharpness. Despite some early fireworks from Arya and Prabhsimran Singh (33), PBKS never regained momentum after Krunal’s breakthrough. Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis disappointed again, and Nehal Wadhera’s mix-up run-out added to the woes.

With this emphatic victory, RCB made it five wins in five away games this season and climbed to 10 points from 8 matches. More significantly, it was a statement win — a well-rounded performance that combined tactical brilliance, bowling discipline, and top-order finesse.

Bombay Sport Exchange Episode 3: Kane Williamson exclusive on NextGen cricketers to watch out for

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.Read More

End of Article