Bengaluru (Karnataka), India, April 19 (ANI): The youngster Nehal Wadhera delivered a well-composed and assured innings to steer Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a convincing victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a rain-interrupted Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

In a 14-over-a-side match chasing a score of 96, PBKS achieved victory at 98/5 within 12.1 overs, securing their fifth win this season. Wadhera stayed not out scoring 33 runs from only 19 balls, including three boundaries and three maximums. The game was clinched by Marcus Stoinis when he hit a six, adding the final flourish to an efficient pursuit.

Punjab began strongly with their opening pair, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Nevertheless, both batsmen were out rapidly. Prabhsimran was the first to depart, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 13 runs. Shortly thereafter, Arya also fell after making 16 from just 11 deliveries. Josh Hazlewood At that point, PBKS had scored 32/2 runs in 3.4 overs.

Captain Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis tried to steady the ship, but they both lost their wickets quickly. Iyer departed for just 7 runs due to Hazlewood’s efforts, who then went on to dismiss Inglis (who scored 14 from 17 balls) soon afterward, securing an impressive three-wicket haul. As a result, PBKS found themselves teetering at 53/4.

Shashank Singh was sent back for just 1 run by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, putting PBKS at 81/5. Nonetheless, Wadhera and Stoinis took control and prevented any more issues from arising. Their composed and strategic alliance allowed Punjab to cross the finish line with 11 extra deliveries remaining.

For RCB, Josh Hazlewood emerged as the leading wicket-taker with bowling figures of 3/14, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed with 2/26.

Earlier, Punjab Kings 'Bowlers adhered to their strategies and kept the runs in check.' Royal Challengers Bengaluru To 95/9 in the rain-shortened match where both teams will face 14-over innings.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer won the coin toss and chose to field first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the IPL encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Virat Kohli and Phil Salt formed the opening partnership for RCB. In the first over, Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt for just 4 runs. The captain of RCB was then left to continue the innings alone. Rajat Patidar Virat Kohli joined him in the middle.

In the second over, Rajat Patidar achieved 1000 IPL runs and emerged as the second quickest Indian batsman to reach this milestone. Arshdeep claimed early scalps by dismissing Virat Kohli in the third over for just 1 run off three balls, after which Liam Livingstone paired up with Patidar at the crease.

Xavier Bartlett dismissed Livingstone in the fourth over for just 4 runs. The PBKS players secured impressive catches during the power play as Jitesh Sharma partnered with RCB’s captain. Seasoned spinner Yuzvendra Chahal then sent back wicketkeeper/batsman Jitesh Sharma for only two runs in the seventh over. Throughout this period, RCB continued to lose wickets consistently.

In RCB's game, Manoj Bhandage, their designated impact player, failed to leave a mark with the bat when he was dismissed by Jansen for just one run in the ninth over. In his debut appearance this season, Harpreet Brar quickly made an impression by taking consecutive wickets in his opening spell. Specifically, he bowled out Bhuvneshwar for eight runs and also got rid of Yash Dayal during the 12th over.

David emerged as the sole batter standing for RCB. In the last over, he unleashed three massive sixes and remained not out with a quickfire 50 from just 26 deliveries.

Marco Jansen (2/10) stood out as the top performer among thePBKS bowlers. Arshdeep, Chahal, and Brar each claimed two wickets, with Xavier Bartlett taking one wicket.

Punjab has advanced to the second position in the points table, whereas RCB occupies the fourth spot.

Brief score: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 95 runs for 9 wickets in 14 overs Tim David 50*, Rajat Patidar 23; Marco Jansen 2/10) vs. Punjab Kings 98/5 off 12.1 overs Nehal Wadhera 33*, Priyansh Arya 16; Josh Hazlewood 3/14). (ANI)