Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed a crucial opportunity to secure a top-two position in the IPL points table after losing to Ishan Kishan-led Sunrisers Hyderabad by 42 runs on Friday in Lucknow. With this defeat, RCB now has 17 points and has slipped to third place, trailing Gujarat Titans, who have 18 points, and Punjab Kings, also with 17 points. The team’s Net Run Rate (NRR) also took a significant hit.
Chasing a daunting target of 232 set by SRH, thanks to Kishan’s stellar unbeaten 94 off 48 balls, RCB hoped for a strong batting performance. Phil Salt contributed with 62 runs off 32 balls, while Virat Kohli added 43 off 25, and Jitesh Sharma chipped in with 24 off 15. However, the Bengaluru side was bowled out for 189, marking their first away defeat this season.
The early stages of RCB’s innings presented a glimmer of hope as Kohli and Salt raced to 80 runs in just seven overs. Kohli, recently retired from Test cricket, was aggressive, hitting Harshal Patel for two fours and clattering a six off Eshan Malinga. Unfortunately, he succumbed to left-arm spin for the 22nd time in his T20 career, falling to 22-year-old Harsh Dubey, who was the highest wicket-taker in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.
Salt initially struggled to find his rhythm but unleashed a flurry of runs, scoring 48 off his next 20 balls, including a stunning six off Nitish Kumar Reddy. He achieved his fifty in just 27 balls but was soon dismissed by Pat Cummins after suffering from cramps.
Despite a smooth pitch, RCB batters consistently found boundaries, preventing the required run rate from escalating drastically. Skipper Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma combined for 44 runs for the fourth wicket, pushing RCB to 173 for three in the 16th over. However, a disastrous miscommunication led to Patidar’s run-out, and Malinga soon sent big-hitting Romario Shepherd back for a duck.
Jitesh fell to Unadkat, and Tim David, who appeared to suffer a hamstring injury, quickly followed him back as the Royal Challengers began to lose momentum. Ultimately, RCB lost their final seven wickets for just 60 runs, with Cummins claiming three wickets for 28 runs and Malinga taking two for 37.
Earlier, Hyderabad set the tone with aggressive batting from Abhishek Sharma, who scored 34 off 17 balls, and Travis Head, who managed 17 off 10. Kishan’s innings was the highlight, filled with seven fours and five sixes, as he found his rhythm throughout his impressive knock.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/05/24/ishan-kishan-bowlers-fashion-srhs-42-run-win-over-bengaluru/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-05-24 03:57:00
