Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have taken a significant step forward in IPL 2025, securing their first home victory of the season with an 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday night. With six wins from nine games, and three of their remaining five matches to be played in Bengaluru, RCB are riding a wave of momentum. In stark contrast, RR continue to slide, with yet another failed chase adding to a string of frustrating losses.
“We’ve got three more games here at home, so it’s vitally important for us to play well in these conditions,” RCB head coach Andy Flower said after the match. His team had previously lost all four tosses at home and struggled to defend totals. But this time, the team adapted well and finally gave their loyal fans something to cheer for.
Meanwhile, RR’s campaign is unraveling fast. Their inability to finish close games has become a pattern. “We haven’t been able to grab the crunch moments, whether chasing or defending,” lamented RR pacer Sandeep Sharma. “We’re losing key wickets when we should be accelerating. That’s been our issue—collapsing in the key moments.”
That pattern was visible again in their latest loss. After a 22-run over in the 18th left them needing only 18 off 12 balls with five wickets in hand, RR lost four wickets and managed just six runs in the final two overs.
“They were in a winning position and then just imploded,” Aaron Finch said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show. “They went from smart cricket to trying to finish the game in a hurry, swinging wildly instead of playing calculated shots.”
RCB’s bowling duo of Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal held their nerve at the death, sealing a much-needed home win. “I’m proud of how the bowlers and Rajat Patidar, as captain, handled the pressure,” said Flower.
With this victory, RCB climbed to No. 3 on the points table and are now seen as serious playoff contenders. “They’ve got momentum and that elusive home win,” Finch noted. “If they start winning tosses, they’ll be even more dangerous.”
Ambati Rayudu, who boldly predicted an RCB title win earlier this season, remains confident. “They should aim for the top two now. They’ve got the potential to go all the way.”
For RR, however, it’s back to the drawing board. Though mathematically still in the race, their path to the playoffs is steep.
“We need to treat each remaining game as a fresh opportunity and play freely,” said Sandeep Sharma. “Momentum matters a lot in T20s. In our last three matches, we’ve needed about nine an over—doable in modern T20—but we’re losing wickets at key moments and failing to execute our plans.”
He pointed out the contrast from last season: “The same players—Riyan, Dhruv, Yashasvi—were winning those moments for us. We were sharper in the field too. This year, it’s just not clicking.”
As RCB surge ahead, RR are left hoping to rediscover the form that once made them contenders. For now, the trajectories of the two teams couldn’t be more different.
