IPL 2025: Ishan Kishan and Pat Cummins Shatter RCB’s Top-Two Dreams in Thrilling Clash
In a high-octane encounter on Friday night at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) delivered a crushing blow to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), denting their aspirations for a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings. While SRH had little to gain in terms of points table position, their clinical 42-run victory showcased their intent to play spoiler, powered by a breathtaking 94 from Ishan Kishan and a devastating spell by captain Pat Cummins.
SRH, already locked in at 8th place with 11 points from 13 matches, knew a win wouldn’t alter their fate this season. For RCB, however, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Sitting in second place before the match with a chance to solidify their spot ahead of the playoffs, they faltered under pressure, watching their net run rate plummet to +0.255 and slipping below Punjab Kings in the race for the top-two berths.
SRH’s Batting Fireworks: Kishan Steals the Show
Batting first after winning the toss, SRH’s openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma set the tone with aggressive intent, but RCB’s bowlers struck early to peg them back. Head was dismissed for 17, caught off a sharp bouncer by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while Sharma fell for 34, nicking a delivery from Lungi Ngidi to wicketkeeper Phil Salt. At 51/2, SRH seemed vulnerable, but what followed was pure carnage as Ishan Kishan walked in and unleashed havoc on the RCB bowling attack.
Kishan’s blistering 94 off 48 balls, laced with 9 fours and 6 towering sixes, turned the tide decisively. His fearless strokeplay, including a memorable straight drive off Mohammed Siraj, left the Bengaluru camp shell-shocked. Supported by explosive cameos from Heinrich Klaasen (28 off 14) and Aniket Verman (22 off 8), SRH surged to a mammoth 231/5 in their 20 overs. Late contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhinav Manohar ensured the total was the highest RCB had ever been asked to chase in IPL history, surpassing their previous toughest target of 206/1 against Gujarat Titans in 2024.
RCB’s Chase: A Promising Start, A Dismal Collapse
Chasing 232, RCB opened with the dynamic duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, and the early signs were promising. Kohli, in fine form this season with over 600 runs in the tournament, smashed 43 off 29 balls, peppering the boundary with his trademark cover drives. Salt complemented him with a rapid 62 off 32, keeping RCB in the hunt. However, the turning point arrived when Harsh Dubey dismissed Kohli, triggering a collapse of epic proportions.
With Kohli gone, Pat Cummins took charge, dismantling RCB’s middle order with precision. His fiery spell saw Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar, and Jitesh Sharma fall in quick succession, leaving RCB reeling. Cummins finished with figures of 3/28, earning him the Player of the Match award alongside Kishan’s batting heroics. The Bengaluru tail offered no resistance, with no batter lasting more than 6 deliveries after the top order crumbled. RCB were ultimately bundled out for 189 in 18.4 overs, handing SRH a dominant 42-run victory.
The Aftermath: RCB’s Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread
For RCB, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. A win would have all but guaranteed a top-two finish, but now, with Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) breathing down their neck at 17 and 16 points respectively, their playoff roadmap looks treacherous. PBKS and MI will fancy their chances in upcoming fixtures, and RCB’s dropped points could prove costly in this tightly contested season.
Meanwhile, SRH, despite the win, remain rooted at 8th position with no chance of playoff qualification. But the performances of Ishan Kishan, who reaffirmed his credentials as one of India’s most explosive wicketkeeper-batsmen, and Pat Cummins, whose leadership and bowling prowess shone through, provide plenty of positives heading into next season.
In a tournament defined by unpredictability, this match was a stark reminder of the IPL’s ruthless nature. For RCB fans, it’s back to the drawing board as they hope for a miracle in the remaining league games. For SRH, it’s a statement of intent—a message that even when the stakes are low, they can still topple giants.