RCB vs RR Highlights, IPL 2025: Hazlewood’s Fiery Four-Fer Powers RCB to First Home Win

RCB vs RR Highlights, IPL 2025: The electric atmosphere at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 24, 2025, bore witness to a thrilling encounter in the Indian Premier League 2025 season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) edged past Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs in a high-octane clash that had it all — fiery spells, power-hitting, nail-biting finishes, and a comeback for the ages.

Let’s take a deep dive into the match, analyze key moments, player performances, and what this result means for the IPL 2025 points table.

🏏 Match Summary: RCB vs RR, IPL 2025

• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Date: April 24, 2025
• Result: RCB won by 11 runs
• Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (4/28)

🔥 RCB’s First Innings: Steady Build, Explosive Finish

RCB opted to bat first, hoping to post a competitive total on a flat Bengaluru wicket known for its batting-friendly nature. Their innings was a tale of calculated acceleration, thanks to solid contributions at the top and middle order.

💡 Key Batting Highlights

• Vaibhav Sharma gave RCB a brisk start with a massive six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar early on.
• Yash Dayal bowled tight lines, but RCB’s batters found gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking.
• The middle order capitalized in the final overs, pushing the total close to the 200-run mark.

Though individual batting scores weren’t disclosed in detail, the final score reflected a collective batting effort from RCB, finishing at 205/6 in 20 overs.

🔥 RR’s Run Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride

Chasing 206, Rajasthan Royals got off to a flyer, thanks to aggressive strokeplay from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryavanshi. But the introduction of Josh Hazlewood turned the game on its head.

💣 Powerplay Momentum

• RR raced to 72/2 in the first 6 overs, Jaiswal smashing boundaries with ease.
• Hazlewood’s early bouncers kept Jaiswal in check before eventually dismissing him with a short ball.

🧨 Middle Overs Mayhem

• Nitish Rana and Parag looked promising, smashing sixes and sweeping efficiently.
• But pressure built up post-10th over due to a tight spell from Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya, both varying pace and lengths effectively.

🧊 Hazlewood’s Ice-Cold Death Bowling

• Hazlewood’s final spell (4/28) included two wickets in one over — Jurel and Archer — breaking the Royals’ back.
• His use of bounce, pace variations, and precise yorkers in the death overs left RR needing 17 off the final over.

Despite a mini onslaught by Shubham Dubey and Deshpande, it was too little too late.

🧠 Tactical Breakdown: What Worked for RCB

🎯 1. Hazlewood’s Gameplan

Hazlewood’s strategy was simple yet lethal:

• Short of a length deliveries to exploit the bounce.
• Targeting the bodyline, especially against power hitters.
• Executing yorkers with precision in the final overs.

His four wickets came at critical junctures, each halting RR’s momentum.

🧱 2. Spinners Holding the Fort

Both Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma dried up runs in the middle overs:

• Krunal (1/23) bowled intelligently, mixing full tosses with skidders.
• Suyash (1/28) used his googlies effectively, picking up the crucial wicket of Hetmyer.

💥 Turning Points of the Match

⚡ Hazlewood’s Double Strike (19th Over)

• RR needed 18 off 12.
• Hazlewood removed Jurel (caught behind after a review) and Archer (simple catch at cover).
• The pressure mounted, and RR’s chase unraveled.

🧤 Parag’s Wicket (10th Over)

• Looking dangerous at 22 off 10, Parag attempted a slog-sweep off Krunal, only to top-edge it.
• This broke RR’s rhythm just as they looked to accelerate in the middle overs.

💣 Jaiswal’s Dismissal (6th Over)

• Jaiswal was going strong with three boundaries and a six.
• Hazlewood’s bouncer forced a mistimed pull, caught at midwicket.

📊 Final Scorecard Summary

🟥 RCB – 205/6 in 20 overs

• Top scorers: Vaibhav Sharma, middle-order contributions
• Strike rates over 140 throughout the middle and death overs.

🟦 RR – 194/9 in 20 overs

• Jaiswal: 42 (off 22)
• Dubey: Late flourish, 30+ cameo
• Hazlewood: 4/28 (4 overs)

📈 Updated IPL 2025 Points Table (After RCB vs RR)

Position	Team	Matches	Wins	Losses	NRR	Points
1	Chennai Super Kings	7	5	2	+1.250	10
2	Gujarat Titans	7	5	2	+0.900	10
3	RCB	8	5	3	+0.650	10
4	Rajasthan Royals	8	4	4	+0.300	8

RCB jumped to third position, thanks to their strong net run rate and an important win at home.

🧾 Match Statistics at a Glance

Metric	RCB	RR
Total Score	205/6	194/9
Powerplay Score (6 Overs)	52/1	72/2
Wickets Lost in Death Overs	2	4
Top Wicket Taker	Hazlewood (4)	Bhuvneshwar (2)
Top Run Scorer	Vaibhav (35+)	Jaiswal (42)

📅 What’s Next for Both Teams?

• RCB takes on Lucknow Super Giants in their next home game.
• RR faces Delhi Capitals away, needing a win to stay in the top four race.

🔍 SEO-Focused FAQs (Featured Snippet-Ready)

❓ Who won the RCB vs RR match in IPL 2025?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the match by 11 runs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 24, 2025.

❓ Who was the Player of the Match in RCB vs RR 2025?

Josh Hazlewood was named Player of the Match for his 4-wicket haul that dismantled RR’s middle and lower order.

❓ What is RCB’s position in the IPL 2025 points table now?

With this win, RCB moved to 3rd place on the IPL 2025 points table, tied on points with CSK and Gujarat Titans.

❓ How many wickets did Hazlewood take vs RR?

Josh Hazlewood took 4 wickets for 28 runs in his 4 overs, making it one of the standout bowling performances of the season.

🏁 Final Thoughts: RCB’s Redemption Arc Begins?

This victory might just be the turning point for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With a home win finally under their belt, their campaign has gained much-needed momentum.

Hazlewood’s precision, spinners’ control, and a team that believes — RCB fans may dare to dream again. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, will need to reassess their middle-order fragility and finishers’ execution in pressure moments.

One thing’s for sure — IPL 2025 is heating up, and nights like these are why we love this game. 💙🔥