Follow UsUnfortunately, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) haven’t had the best of starts to their Indian Premier League 2025 season at home. RCB are the only team in the league who haven’t yet won a single game at home, and they continued that poor run against Punjab Kings, on April 19 (Friday).
In a 14-over clash, RCB were inserted to bat first, where they struggled due to the two-paced nature at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the average first-innings score has been under 150. A late flourish from Tim David, however, took them to 95/9, a score that seemed just about enough.
RCB’s captain Rajat Patidar, in the post-match presentation, insisted that the 2016 IPL finalists need to bat better and not worry too much about the conditions at hand.
“Initially, it was sticking and two-paced, but we could have done far better as a batting unit. Partnerships are important; we have lost wickets in quick intervals, and that's a big lesson for us,” Patidar said in the post-match presentation.
PBKS’ new ball bowlers - Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett - made the fullest use of the conditions, restricting RCB to 26/3. Even the in-form Patidar couldn’t really make a difference, falling for an 18-ball 23.
“The wicket wasn't that bad, it was under covers for a long time, it helped their bowlers, credit goes to them. No matter how the wicket plays, we need to bat well and get a winning total. The bowling unit is doing pretty well, that's a big positive. The batters have played with intent, that's something pleasing. We can correct some of our mistakes in the batting unit."
There’s no break, however, for RCB as they take on PBKS yet again, on April 20 (Sunday) in New Chandigarh.