Hazlewood’s Four-Fer Powers RCB to a Spectacular Eleven-Run Win!2025
At the legendary M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 24, 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their home jinx and sent the fervent Bengaluru crowd into ecstasy with a thrilling victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The match will surely go down in IPL history as one of the most intense encounters with RCB winning by a margin of just eleven runs thanks to a brilliant display of fast bowling by Josh Hazlewood.
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RCB’s Batting Brilliance Sets the Stage
After winning the toss and choosing to bat RCB came into the match with a very determined attitude. The team got off to a good start thanks to openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis but Kohli’s knock was the real highlight. Kohli scored a smooth 70 off 42 balls while the crowd chanted his name in unison displaying his signature poise and resolve. His innings was filled with spectacular sixes and boundaries solidifying his place among the greatest players in history.
Devdutt Padikkal who joined Kohli in the middle appeared invincible during his brief but significant appearance. The much-needed momentum that RCB needed to set a formidable target for RR was given by Padikkal’s aggressive 50 off 27 balls. RCB achieved an impressive total of 205/5 thanks to the contributions of Dinesh Karthik and the seasoned Glenn Maxwell in the final overs.
RR’s Response: A Fierce Chase
The Rajasthan Royals came out firing intent on pursuing the target of 206. The Royals got off to a good start thanks to the young and gifted Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored 45 off 26 balls with style and force. With fast-paced knocks that had the audience on the edge of their seats Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer contributed to keeping RR in the chase.
However RCB’s bowlers were relentless in their pursuit of victory. Enter Josh Hazlewood—a name that will be etched in RCB folklore after his phenomenal performance. Hazlewood outsmarted the RR batters with his display of accuracy speed and deft variations during his spell. By dismissing important players like Hetmyer and Samson when it mattered most his 4/33 spell turned the tide decisively in RCB’s favour.
The Turning Point
With RR needing 22 runs from the final two overs the match reached its climax. Hazlewood’s flawless death bowling was too strong for Ravichandran Ashwin’s attempt at a miraculous comeback. The stadium erupted in cheers as the last wicket was dropped; the Royal Challengers Bangalore team had won their first home game of the season ending their losing run at the Chinnaswamy.
Celebrating the Heroes
Josh Hazlewood’s exceptional contribution with the ball earned him the Player of the Match award which he deserved. A major contributor to RCB’s success was his capacity to perform well under duress. Both Devdutt Padikkal’s ferocious innings and Virat Kohli’s game-winning knock were essential in creating the conditions for an unforgettable triumph.
A Night to Remember for RCB Fans
On the IPL leaderboard the victory was worth more than just two points. It served as a reminder of their team’s tenacity and a source of unadulterated joy and pride for the supporters. The stadium was filled with the chant “Ee Sala Cup Namde ” which echoed the renewed optimism that this might be RCB’s year.
This victory will undoubtedly increase RCB’s confidence and morale as they look to the IPL 2025 season. For the time being the team and its supporters can enjoy the thrill of an unforgettable night at the Chinnaswamy and the taste of victory.
RCB’s Batting: A Tale of Grit Over Glamour
Although RCB’s innings wasn’t the most fluid it was well-planned. Their top order had to put in effort for each run because of the pitch’s early swing and seam. Faf anchored the innings with a patient 42 while Kohli looked promising with a quick 35 before being caught by a sharp shot.
Rajat Patidar however had the pivotal moment with the bat when he put together an important 48 off 30 balls giving the middle overs much-needed momentum. Dinesh Karthik’s final few big hits helped RCB reach a respectable 172/7, which isn’t very high but is unquestionably defendable with the right bowling.
 Hazlewood’s Fire: The Turning Point
Here comes Josh Hazlewood composed as ever with bounce seam and an iron will. He was in rhythm right from the start getting quick movement and making the batters uncomfortable with lengths.
He started his spell by taking the big scalp of the top-ranked opener who was caught off guard by a lovely delivery that nipped away. The opposition appeared to be on track needing just 34 from 18 balls but the real damage occurred in the final overs.
Hazlewood bowled a double-wicket over dismissing a pinch-hitter and a well-set batter in three balls both of whom were beaten by bounce and pace. He finished the game with figures of 4/24 in 4 overs which were simply amazing after trapping the dangerous finisher LBW with a pinpoint yorker in his final over.
Under pressure the opposition gave up and folded for 161, 11 runs short of the goal.
