Royal Challengers Bengaluru have very little time to pick up the pieces after a debilitating loss as they eye a much-improved display from their batting unit in a return Indian Premier League match against in-form Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, Punjab, on Sunday.
Rajat Patidar's astute captaincy has been apparent throughout this season, be it bowling changes or field placements, he has been spot on. Unlike other franchises where captaining big egos has not sat well with certain players, Patidar has commanded the respect of his senior India as well as international team-mates.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bid for a maiden home victory this IPL season will depend on their batters' ability to handle the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Glenn Maxwell when they face the Punjab Kings on Friday.
Hardik Pandya comes up against his brother Krunal for the first time in the IPL!
'Kavir Krunal Pandya,' Krunal wrote in the caption along with a heart emoji.
Krunal took over LSG captaincy after KL Rahul pulled out because of an injury with five matches remaining in the league phase.
Australia great Matthew Hayden hailed the selection of Krunal Pandya as a "smart pick" for the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp in this IPL season, adding that there is "something special" about the squad this year.
With KKR failing to capitalise on home advantage, the pressure is already mounting on Rahane and his squad to bounce back in their next encounter.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar hailed his bowlers for showing courage during a tough target defence against Mumbai Indians, saying his 'Player of the Match' award actually goes to them for being able to control a batting unit on such batter-friendly conditions at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Nothing could cheer Pollard who looked dejected as he walked off the field after a struggling 19 from 20 balls, failing to produce the fireworks at the end.
RCB will look to Virat Kohli not just for runs but also for inspiration as they chase that elusive IPL title -- a drought that has persisted for the last 17 years since the IPL's inception in 2008.
Kohli has constructed a mini hot streak, making four fifties in his last five innings and pushing for Orange Cap with 443 runs.
The LSG bowling responded well to their captain's call, picking wickets or just keeping the runs down. Krunal started the rut, and then Avesh and Holder wrapped up proceedings.
RCB fans had little to cheer about on Friday night as their team crumbled under pressure in a rain-shortened clash against Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy.
'DC v RCB: Dressing room Chat Part 2. Jitesh appreciates cameos from Bethell and David, and has a special message for Rajat in the end!'
RCB head coach Andy Flower expressed his confidence in newly appointed captain Rajat Patidar, highlighting the presence of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as a major advantage for him.
It will be a test of wits between Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal when defending champions Gujarat Titans clash with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL match in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Jitesh Sharma left spectators enchanted with an unbeaten 85 from a mere 33 deliveries while striking handsomely at 257.58, his best in the IPL's history.
His IPL campaign over, India's swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Tuesday said he would want to "switch off" for a few days before leaving for the Test tour of England in a "good frame of mind."
Lucknow Super Giants spinner Krunal Pandya was the pick of the LSG bowlers with figures of 2-11 in his team's impressive win over Punjab Kings.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Krunal Pandya lauded his side's fighting spirit after their thrilling one-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders that took them to the IPL play-offs on Saturday.
RCB were in red-hot form before the league's 10-day pause due to the India-Pakistan military conflict, winning four matches on the trot. But the break appears to have disrupted their momentum.
The standout performers for DC with the ball were Kuldeep Yadav (2-17 in 4 overs) and Vipraj Nigam (2-18 in 4 overs).
Krunal Pandya's superb all-round showing helped Lucknow Super Giants notch a comprehensive five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bengaluru on Friday
Preity Zinta, like Punjab Kings, is a fighter. Her disappointment today only adds to the fire for tomorrow. The tears she held back will likely fuel next season's charge. Because if there's one thing the IPL has taught us, it's that passion like hers doesn't fade. It only comes back louder.
Shreyas Iyer's inspiring leadership faces its toughest test yet when Punjab Kings host an equally upbeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League in Mullanpur on Thursday.
Virat Kohli's nearly two-decade long agonising wait to lay his hands on an IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be up against Shreyas Iyer's resolve to make first-time winners out of the tenacious Punjab Kings.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowling unit will face a different challenge when they take on Gujarat Titans in an IPL match on Wednesday.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 55.
The appointment of Mo Bobat and Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik into the coaching staff changed the template, and it reflected in RCB's approach in the auction room in 2024.
For the penultimate over, Axar had the option to exercise Mitchell Starc's last over and Vipraj Nigam, who had bowled just a solitary over.
RCB's success so far in IPL 2025 hasn't just rested on Kohli and Hazlewood.
With eyes fixed on the swirling white speck, he sprinted back, never losing sight, before launching himself full stretch into a forward dive -- a breathtaking grab that left jaws on the floor.
R Sai Kishore's carrom ball, a rare sight for a left-arm spinner, has been a revelation in IPL 2023, proving his constant evolution as a T20 bowler.
RCB squandered a golden opportunity to seal a top-two finish on the IPL points table.
The unexpected 10-day break has left both the RCB and the KKR with different goals to achieve and common challenges to hurdle over.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji check out who could be the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2025 before the final.
Out-of-favour India all-rounder Krunal Pandya's stint with English county side Warwickshire was cut short after he sustained a groin injury, forcing him out of the Royal London One-Day Cup.
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