Power-plays nowadays can make or break a team's hopes in T29 cricket matches. Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson endorsed this view on Sunday after his team went down to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
I think after losing the toss on that kind of a slowish wicket, batting first under the sun for the first 10 overs is tough in day games. We knew they would come hard at us and I think they won the game in the powerplay.
RCB scored 65/0 in the first six overs while chasing 174 and went on to win the match by nine wickets as openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli hammered half-centuries to complete the chase in 17.3 overs.
Salt blasted 65 in 33 balls, his knock was laced with six sixes and five fours while Kohli scored 62 not out in 45 balls, hitting two sixes and four fours. Devdutt Padikkal struck 40 not out off 28 balls with the help of five fours and a six as RCB sealed a comfortable victory.
Samson said his team wants to improve on fielding and catching as both teams dropped a few catches in the match.
Catches win matches. They also dropped our catches and we also dropped their catches (smiles). No doubt we have to improve. Credit to RCB.
"Ball did come on better in the second innings. They were really good. We have been having some really good chats about improving and coming back strong. We have to leave the thoughts behind and come back positive for the next game," he added.
After sked to bat first, Rajasthan Royals rode on Yashasvi Jaiswal's half-century coupled with Dhruv Jurel's 23-ball 35 blitz to post 173/4 in 20 overs. But Philosophy Salt and Virat Kohli setting the stage, RCB roped to victory with a lot to spare.
Brief Scores: Rajasthan Royals 173/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 75, Dhruv Jurel 35 not out; Krunal Pandya 1-29, Josh Hazlewood 1-26) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 175/1 in 17.3 overs (Virat Kohli 62 not out, Phil Salt 65; Jofra Archer 1-36) by nine wickets.
