Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 5 wickets in IPL 2025 Match 34. A low-scoring contest saw exceptional bowling performances and a composed chase by PBKS.
Punjab Kings Secure Crucial Win Against RCB in IPL 2025 Thriller
Match 34 of the Indian Premier League 2025 delivered a nail-biting showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a game heavily dominated by bowlers, PBKS clinched a 5-wicket victory while chasing a modest target of 96, adding vital points to their campaign.
First Innings: RCB Crumble Under Pressure
Batting first after winning the toss, Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a rocky start. Their innings never really gained momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Star opener Phil Salt managed just 4 runs, while key batter Virat Kohli was dismissed cheaply for 1. Middle-order hopes were pinned on Rajat Patidar, who chipped in with 23 runs, but he too couldn’t build a substantial partnership.
The only saving grace was Tim David, who showcased resilience under pressure with a quickfire 50* off 26 balls, guiding RCB to a total of 95/9 in their 14 overs. The rest of the lineup faltered against disciplined bowling.
PBKS Bowlers Shine Bright
Punjab Kings' bowling attack was the highlight of the match. They executed their plans to perfection, applying consistent pressure on the RCB batters.
Top Bowling Performances for PBKS:
Marco Jansen: 2/10
Arshdeep Singh: 2/23
Yuzvendra Chahal: 2/11
Harpreet Brar: 2/25
Sam Curran: 1/13
This collective effort ensured RCB were restricted to a below-par total on a surface that offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers.
PBKS Overcome Early Hiccups in the Chase
Chasing 96 seemed straightforward, but RCB’s bowlers made the Punjab side work hard for every run. Prabhsimran Singh (13) and Priyansh Arya (16) got PBKS off to a cautious start, but quick dismissals of Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis created momentary tension.
Nehal Wadhera emerged as the game-changer with a calm and composed unbeaten 33 off 19 balls. His confident stroke play and situational awareness guided PBKS to the target in 12.1 overs, with five wickets in hand.
RCB’s Bowling Fightback
Despite defending a low total, RCB showed heart with the ball:
Josh Hazlewood: 3/14 – outstanding with the new ball
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/26 – kept it tight in the middle overs
However, the lack of runs proved too big a hurdle to overcome.
Key Highlights and Takeaways
Tim David’s Heroics: Lone warrior for RCB with a brilliant half-century
Nehal Wadhera’s Maturity: Match-winning knock under pressure
Bowler-Friendly Contest: A rare low-scoring encounter in a batsman-dominated league
PBKS Gain Momentum: A valuable win that keeps their playoff hopes alive
Final Result:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 95/9 (14 overs)
Punjab Kings: 98/5 (12.1 overs)
Winner: Punjab Kings by 5 wickets
