IPL 2025, RCB vs GT: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Set The Target of 170 for Gujarat Titans
Royal Challengers Bangalore began their innings on a rocky note against Gujarat Titans , as they were put to the test right from the first over.
Early Woes for RCB
The Royal Challengers Bangalore experienced a shaky start when Virat Kohli mistimed a pull shot and was caught out by Prasidh Krishna off Arshad Khan's bowling, leaving fans in pin-drop silence at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The early wicket at 8/1 put significant pressure on the batting side.Devdutt Padikkal tried to stabilize the innings with a sweetly timed boundary, but his efforts were short-lived as he was bowled by Mohammed Siraj . Padikkal’s departure for 4 runs saw Bangalore reeling at 13/2. Siraj was fired up and brought out his signature celebration after dismissing yet another batter. On the very next ball, he sent Rajat Patidar back to the pavilion, reducing RCB to 13/3.
An Eventful Power Play
The early overs were filled with drama as RCB struggled to establish momentum. Phil Salt attempted to take charge, hitting a massive six that added some runs to the board. However, even Salt's aggressive approach couldn't stop the wickets from tumbling. Siraj managed to send him back with a sharp delivery that knicked his edge, and struck the stumps. Royal Challengers finished their powerplay overs at 38/3, showcasing the dominance of the Gujarat bowlers.Mohammed Siraj was nearly unstoppable, trying his luck with LBW again against Liam Livingstone, but the review confirmed the ball going over the stumps, ensuring Livingstone's survival.
Middle Order Resistance
Attempts by the middle-order batsmen to stabilize the innings were thwarted by Gujarat's disciplined bowling. Jitesh Sharma, in particular, looked promising, playing some elegant shots to take the score forward. His boundary in the 8th over brought a glimpse of hope, and a couple of back-to-back sixes by Liam Livingstone against Rashid Khan in the 15th over fueled some genuine excitement.Livingstone, playing a pivotal role, managed a robust partnership with Tim David. Despite Livingstone’s impressive scoring rate, his innings came to an end at 54 runs, a significant contribution considering the circumstances.
As the innings approached the final overs, Tim David showcased some fireworks. He struck a series of boundaries in the 19th over, including a monstrous six that flew over deep cover. David’s effort was indeed a last-ditch attempt to maximize the score, but his aggressive approach also saw him being bowled out eventually.
- Tim David's immense strike putting RCB in a competitive position
- Livingston managed to reach a well-deserved fifty
- Key partnerships that were a glimmer of recovery amid falling wickets
The performance delivered by Bangalore’s batsmen amidst high pressure will remain notable. With the chase now set up for Gujarat Titans, the match promises to reach a thrilling climax.