In Match 37 of IPL 2025, held on April 20 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a hefty seven wickets. RCB successfully chased 158 runs with seven wickets left and seven balls to spare.

Punjab Kings Innings

PBKS batted first after being put in to bat and finished with 157/6 in their 20 overs. After a blasting start from Prabhsimran Singh (33 runs from just 17 balls), Shashank Singh anchored the innings with an unbeaten 31 runs off 33 balls. Josh Inglis played a brisk cameo as well with a few boundaries, scoring 29 off 17 balls. RCB bowlers consistently broke the rhythm to not let PBKS score at more than just 7.85 runs per over. Krunal Pandya bowled very well, taking 2/25 in his solid 4 overs, with Suyash Sharma also taking 2 wickets, costing them 26 runs. Romario Shepherd bowled 2 tight overs, costing only 18 runs together with 1 wicket, to make sure there is no momentum late in the innings. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings

With a target of 158, RCB looked comfortable pursuing the target from the word go. Devdutt Padikkal set a strong base for the innings, scoring an aggressive 61 off 35 balls, striking the ball cleanly. The innings was anchored by Virat Kohli showing his class with an effort-free 73* off 54 balls, coupled with a catch from Rajat Patidar (12 runs), leading RCB to the coveted score of 159/3 runs off 18.5 overs. Although Arshdeep Singh (1/26), Harpreet Brar (1/27), and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/36) all spun the PBKS team into a crafty innings, the low number was manageable, and RCB's clinical performance contributed to a convincing series win by 7 wickets.

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PBKS vs RCB: Post Match Reactions

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS Captain): "It is good. Just a minor niggle. I feel I should be fine after this game. He pointed out that his side is playing an aggressive brand of cricket but cannot adjust to the slowing afternoon wickets, ultimately setting themselves undefendable scores. The batting unit started quite well, but the middle order didn't take advantage of their starts. He expressed that he was quite happy with how the bowlers performed. Iyer praised RCB's comprehensive win game led by Kohli but emphasized his team needs to adjust to old balls that do not skid as well, and he expects the middle order to wake up and needs to step up. He wants to use this opportunity of the next 6 days to make sure the squad is in a good state and a positive and free-going mindset in preparation for their next game.
  
Devdutt Padikkal (RCB): He spoke of the importance of his partnership with Kohli after Phil Salt was dismissed. He credited that his current form is from months of hard work. When batting with Kohli, he feels confident, knowing that Kohli can anchor innings and also finish off a game. Chinnaswamy Stadium being in his home city makes him feel special, and he hopes to continue contributing. Padikkal admitted that RCB has struggled with their batting at home and took responsibility for him devising a better plan.

Rajat Patidar (RCB captain): Patidar commended the bowlers for being tight with their lines, with everyone contributing at different points. The changes in fielding positions that we talked about last night had a positive response today, and he hopes to win the toss and play well in the next match to fix previous games.
 
Virat Kohli (Player of the Match): Kohli labeled the win as crucial for RCB moving from 8 to 10 points in the qualification and stated Padikkal was responsible for winning the game with his innings and outlined his role, indicating that he was anchoring one end and trying to accelerate when needed. Kohli said he has to adapt to conditions, learn from the first couple of games, use partnerships in T20 cricket, and let other players dominate while holding the innings together. 

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Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Match Scorecard

Punjab Kings – 157/6 (20 Overs)

Royal Challengers – 159/3 (18.5 Overs)