Nehal Wadhera's Sparkling Performance Leads Punjab Kings to Victory Over RCB in Rain-Interrupted Clash

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 19 (ANI): Youngster Nehal Wadhera played a composed and confident knock to guide Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a comfortable win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a rain-affected Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

In a 14-over match where they needed 96 runs to win, PBKS achieved this score at 98 for 5 wickets within 12.1 overs, securing their fifth victory of the campaign. Wadhera finished not out on an impressive 33 from only 19 balls, including three boundaries and three maximums. The game was ultimately clinched by Marcus Stoinis when he hit a six, adding the final flourish to a well-executed run pursuit.

Punjab began with a rapid start thanks to their opening pair, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Nonetheless, both batsmen were out one after another. Prabhsimran was the first to be dismissed, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for just 13 runs. Shortly thereafter, Arya also departed, having scored 16 from only 11 deliveries. Josh Hazlewood . At that stage, PBKS were 32/2 in 3.4 overs.

Captain Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis attempted to stabilise the innings, but both fell cheaply. Iyer was removed for 7 by Hazlewood, who also got the better of Inglis (14 off 17) shortly after to complete a superb three-wicket haul. PBKS were suddenly wobbling at 53/4.

Shashank Singh was sent back for just 1 run by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, putting PBKS at 81/5. Nevertheless, Wadhera and Stoinis stabilized the innings and prevented any more setbacks. They formed a composed and strategic alliance that allowed Punjab to cross the finish line with 11 extra deliveries remaining.

For RCB, Josh Hazlewood emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3/14, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed with 2/26.

Earlier, Punjab Kings ' bowlers stuck to their plans and restricted 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.

The duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt opened the innings for RCB. Arshdeep Singh removed Phil Salt in the very first over for 4. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar Virat Kohli joined him in the middle.

In the second over, Rajat Patidar reached 1000 IPL runs and became the second quickest Indian batsman to achieve 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 fielders made impressive catches during the power play as well. Jitesh Sharma then came in to join RCB’s captain. In the seventh over, experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal sent back wicketkeeper/batsman Jitesh Sharma for only two runs. 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 claiming consecutive wickets in his opening spell. Specifically, he bowled out Bhuvneshwar for eight runs and then got rid of Yash Dayal during the 12th over.

David emerged as the sole batter standing strong for RCB. In the concluding overs, he unleashed three massive sixes and concluded with an impressive undefeated 50 runs off just 26 deliveries.

Marco Jansen (2/10) stood out as the top performer among the bowlers for PBKS. Arshdeep, Chahal, and Brar each claimed two wickets, while Xavier Bartlett secured one.

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 after 12.1 overs Nehal Wadhera 33*, Priyansh Arya 16; Josh Hazlewood 3/14). (ANI)

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