RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025: A 14-Over Firefight That Turned Into a Nightmare for Bengaluru Fans
I’ll be honest—when I heard the match was reduced to just 14 overs a side, I was expecting fireworks. You know, the kind where Kohli goes berserk, the crowd roars, and you wonder if the ball will land somewhere in Ulsoor Lake.
But guess what? This one went off the rails real quick. And not in the way RCB fans hoped.
The Rain Giveth, The Rain Taketh Away
We’ve all been there. You’re excited, snacks ready, friends piling in, and suddenly—drizzle. The kind that just lingers. And before you know it, the match has been trimmed down, bowling limits adjusted, and chaos unleashed.
For IPL 2025’s RCB vs PBKS clash, it wasn’t just the skies that opened up. It was also RCB’s batting lineup.
Kohli Gone in the First Over. Salt in the Next. Wait, What !
Yep. You read that right. Arshdeep Singh—cool as ice and sharp as a blade—struck early. And not just once. He bagged both Virat Kohli (1) and Phil Salt (4) in the space of two overs.
Can you imagine the collective gulp at Chinnaswamy? One minute you’re chanting “RCB! RCB!”, and the next, you’re wondering if there’s a glitch in the scoreboard.
Here’s what made it worse:
- The pitch had zip, but RCB looked like they were batting on quicksand.
- PBKS bowlers weren’t just swinging—they were scripting a thriller.
- No one stepped up. No counterattack. Just... silence and wickets.
Enter Bartlett—The ₹3 Crore Masterstroke
Now this is where PBKS’s strategy deserves a standing ovation.
In walks Xavier Bartlett, the Aussie pacer they picked up for a cool ₹3 crore at the auction. Some questioned the price tag. Not anymore.
He came steaming in and knocked over Liam Livingstone like a pro playing backyard cricket. It was clean, clinical, and cold-blooded.
And honestly? PBKS fans were loving it. The man bowled like he had a point to prove—and oh boy, did he.
RCB’s Unchanged XI Backfires... Big Time
While PBKS made bold changes—dropping Glenn Maxwell for Marcus Stoinis, and including Harpreet Brar—RCB decided to stick with the same playing XI from their last game.
Here’s the thing: in a rain-curtailed, high-stakes clash, flexibility is gold. But RCB went with familiarity... and it cost them dearly.
What Made This Match So Wild?
Let me break it down:
- 14 overs per side
- 3 bowlers allowed to bowl 4 overs each
- 1 bowler with a cap of 2 overs
- RCB lost 9 wickets before even reaching a defendable total
- PBKS bowlers dominated like it was a Test match, not T20
And yet—this is exactly why we love the IPL. Chaos. Surprises. Drama.
The Bigger Picture: Are RCB Cracking Under Pressure... Again?
Let’s be real. RCB’s history in crunch moments isn’t exactly stellar. And now with a side full of promise and a new coaching setup, they’re still showing signs of the old curse—collapse under pressure.
Is it mindset? Is it team balance? Or is it just the Chinnaswamy voodoo acting up again?
Whatever it is, RCB needs to fix it—fast.
RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Clash
Q1: Why was the match reduced to 14 overs?
Heavy rain in Bengaluru led to a delayed start, and match officials reduced the game to 14 overs per side for fairness and time constraints.
Q2: Who was the standout performer for PBKS?
Arshdeep Singh’s early double strike and Xavier Bartlett’s fiery spell were the key turning points.
Q3: Why didn’t RCB change their playing XI?
RCB backed their winning combo from the previous match, but the lack of adaptability cost them dearly in a rain-shortened game.
Q4: What is the new bowling rule for shortened games?
In 14-over matches, three bowlers can bowl a maximum of 4 overs each, and one bowler can bowl 2 overs.
Q5: Is PBKS a real playoff contender this year?
If they keep this momentum, especially with bowlers like Arshdeep and Bartlett firing, you better believe they’re in the mix.
RCB Fans, Breathe. It’s a Long Season.
Yes, this loss hurts. Especially at home. But IPL is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is to learn, adapt, and bounce back—and RCB has the squad to do it.
On the other hand, PBKS just made a huge statement. They didn’t just win—they dominated, outthought, and outplayed their opponents in every department.
