Wadhera's Calm and Brar’s Spin Mastery Seal PBKS Victory Over RCB in Rain-Hit Thriller
Iyer praises Chahal as ‘the best bowler in IPL’, as Punjab Kings execute perfect game plan against Royal Challengers.
BNH NETWORK
Punjab Kings Outplay RCB on Tricky Bengaluru Pitch, Thanks to Nehal Wadhera’s Composed Knock
News Highlights:
- Punjab Kings chase down RCB’s 95/9 in just 12.1 overs to seal a 5-wicket win.
- Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh star with the ball in rain-curtailed match.
- Brar: “Nehal made the chase look easy on a surface where 95 felt like 180.”
- Iyer: “Chahal is the best bowler in the IPL.”
- PBKS set to face RCB again in reverse fixture on April 20 at New Chandigarh.
Punjab Kings Sink RCB on Rain-Curtained Night in Bengaluru
Bengaluru - A composed unbeaten knock by Nehal Wadhera and a collective bowling masterclass helped Punjab Kings cruise past Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets in a rain-shortened IPL 2025 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. In a game reduced to 14 overs per side due to weather interruptions, the Punjab bowlers adapted to perfection and ensured RCB was restricted to 95/9, setting up a clinical chase.
Punjab’s Bowlers Turn Bengaluru Surface Into a Fortress
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, PBKS capitalised on a damp and challenging surface. Spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Harpreet Brar — all of whom picked up two wickets each — Punjab never let RCB settle, despite a fighting 50-run knock from Tim David. Xavier Bartlett added one to the wickets tally as the hosts crumbled under the relentless attack.
Brar Reveals Strategic Bowling Shift After Toss Call
Speaking after the match, spinner Harpreet Brar underlined the pivotal role the surface played in Punjab’s decision to bowl first. He credited the coaching staff for reading the wicket perfectly after the covers were lifted and said bowlers adjusted smartly to extract every bit of help.
Brar lauded Nehal Wadhera for steering the team safely through the modest chase with a well-paced 33 off 19 balls, calling his knock ‘match-defining’ on a surface where even 95 runs looked competitive.
Skipper Iyer Applauds Chahal, Bowlers' Execution on Testing Pitch
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was full of praise for his bowling unit at the post-match presentation. He singled out Yuzvendra Chahal’s performance — 2 wickets for just 11 runs in 3 overs — calling him the “best bowler in the IPL.”
Iyer shared insights into the team’s approach, revealing how senior pacer Arshdeep Singh had noticed the wicket’s reluctance to reward aggressive hitting off hard-length deliveries, helping the bowlers refine their strategy mid-innings.
Wadhera’s Calmness Earns Praise as Punjab Eyes Repeat Performance
Harpreet Brar hailed Nehal Wadhera’s maturity and development, highlighting the batter’s strong roots in India’s domestic circuit and age-group cricket. Calling him a "key player for Punjab," Brar reflected on Wadhera’s growth from U-19 cricket to becoming a reliable finisher on IPL’s big stage.
The duo’s efforts ensured Punjab chased the target comfortably in 12.1 overs, with Wadhera’s fluent strokeplay demystifying what Brar described as a “no-scoring wicket.”
Punjab Kings Set for Reverse Clash Against RCB on April 20
With this victory, Punjab Kings continue their strong run in IPL 2025. Their next assignment is the reverse fixture against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh on April 20, 2025 — a contest RCB will enter seeking redemption.
