The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced a significant setback in their IPL 2025 campaign after a 42-run defeat against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday, May 23. Due to weather disruptions in Bengaluru, RCB played their final home game at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, where SRH’s formidable batting display proved too strong.
READ MORE: IPL 2025: Jitesh Sharma Leads RCB Against SRH in Crucial Clash at Ekana Stadium
SRH’s innings was anchored by a brilliant unbeaten knock from Ishan Kishan, who scored 94* off just 48 balls, helping the team post a commanding total of 231/6. In response, RCB began confidently with Phil Salt smashing 62 off 32 deliveries and Virat Kohli contributing 43 off 25 balls, lifting the team to 120/1 inside 11 overs. However, regular wickets thereafter stalled the chase, and RCB were eventually bowled out for 189.
This defeat saw RCB slip to third place on the IPL 2025 points table with 17 points from 13 matches and a net run rate of 0.255, denting their hopes of securing a top-two finish. The top two spots are crucial as they grant direct entry to Qualifier 1 in the playoffs, providing a vital advantage.
Playoff Scenarios for RCB
For RCB to reclaim a top-two position, they will need a combination of favorable results in the remaining matches. One scenario requires the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) to lose their remaining fixtures while RCB wins their final game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27. This outcome would elevate RCB to the top of the table.
Alternatively, if GT wins their last game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but PBKS loses both remaining matches, a victory for RCB against LSG would see them finish second.
Jitesh Sharma Reacts to the Loss
Stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma, leading RCB for the second time in the IPL, candidly reflected on the defeat:
“I think it was 20-30 runs extra. They played very well. I didn’t have any answers for their attack. We were rusty. The intensity was not there initially… In the death, we were bowling more accurately. Right now, I haven’t met David because I was upset that I got out. Sometimes losing a game is a very good sign because you can check and analyse. The positive things are that everyone’s chipping in. After this loss, we’ve got a setback to check [things] again. We’ll move forward.”
Looking Ahead
With just one game left in the league stage against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on May 27, RCB will look to finish strongly and keep their playoff ambitions alive. Meanwhile, SRH’s spirited performance offered a morale boost as they conclude a challenging season.
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