In a low-scoring, rain-curtailed IPL 2025 thriller, Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 5 wickets with 11 balls to spare in a 14-overs-per-side encounter. After winning the toss, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to field first, and the decision paid off handsomely as RCB’s top order crumbled under pressure. Despite a lone wolf resistance from Tim David, RCB’s modest total of 95/9 wasn’t enough to hold back a calm and confident Punjab chase, led by Nehal Wadhera’s composed 33* off 19 balls.
Tim David’s one-man rescue act against PBKS
RCB’s innings never really found its footing. The power-packed top order faltered as Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Liam Livingstone all fell cheaply within the powerplay. Kohli’s dismissal for just 1 run set the tone for a miserable batting display, with RCB reeling at 33/5 by the end of the sixth over.
However, amidst the ruins stood David. The Australian power-hitter unleashed a fearless counterattack, scoring a blazing unbeaten 50 off just 26 balls, laced with five boundaries and three towering sixes. He was the only RCB batter to reach double digits in strike rate and impact. His lone battle took RCB to 95/9 in 14 overs—at least giving the bowlers something to fight with. PBKS bowlers were clinical, with Marco Jansen (2/10), Yuzvendra Chahal (2/11), and Arshdeep Singh (2/23) sharing the spoils, and keeping the pressure on throughout.
Nehal Wadhera’s flamboyance lights up PBKS chase against RCB
Chasing 96 in 14 overs was tricky, especially with Josh Hazlewood breathing fire upfront. The Aussie pacer dismissed Priyansh Arya (16) and captain Iyer (7), and later sent back Josh Inglis (14) to finish with figures of 3/14. RCB seemed to claw back into the game as wickets kept tumbling regularly, and PBKS found themselves at a nervy 81/5 in the 12th over.
Enter Wadhera, the southpaw soaked in the pressure and then flourished when it mattered the most. He played a responsible yet attacking innings, striking 3 fours and 3 sixes en route to his unbeaten 33 off 19 balls. Wadhera’s knock was a masterclass in timing his acceleration and not letting the scoreboard pressure get to him. With support from Marcus Stoinis (7* off 2), PBKS sealed the win in just 12.1 overs, silencing the RCB attack.
Also WATCH: Tim David sends Harpreet Brar for three consecutive sixes during RCB vs PBKS match in IPL 2025
Here’s how fans reacted:
TIM DAVID – THE LONE WARRIOR OF RCB. pic.twitter.com/YwSnkhwENW
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 18, 2025
Tim David for RCB pic.twitter.com/QouiH3y1ix
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 18, 2025
Some what respectable total
TIM DAVID 😭
proved his worth 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/eLbJyRXpqu— ➤ (@darkcrusaderjas) April 18, 2025
All you need is a good team to show your potential. Back to back solid finishes by TIM DAVID pic.twitter.com/cWIofNT3Ml
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) April 2, 2025
🚨 MAIDEN IPL FIFTY FOR TIM DAVID 🚨
– 50*(26) when the team scored only 95/9, one of the finest knock ever in IPL History. pic.twitter.com/iZIGn1HJVh
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 18, 2025
Thank you MI for TIM DAVID pic.twitter.com/iWmuAoO3eU
— Abhyudaya Mohan (@AbhyudayaMohan) April 18, 2025
It’s not RCB’s day
Congratulations @PunjabKingsIPL#RCBvPBKS #PBKSvsRCB #CSKvsMI #IPL2025
Tim David l Nehal Vadhera l Suyash l Hazlewood l Livingston l Vintage RCB l Rajat Patidar l Krunal l BHUVI l Crossed 49 l
Another 49 l Dayal l Jitesh l Shashank Chinnaswamy pic.twitter.com/4lMQSqUPFm— Brijesh Kumar Namdev (@BrijeshKum35150) April 18, 2025
A short game but an entertaining one where PBKS register a crucial win 👏#RCBvsPBKS #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/SUU8YBXbCQ
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 18, 2025
.@PunjabKingsIPL‘s red is shining bright in Bengaluru ❤️
They continue their winning streak with an all-round show over #RCB 👏
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/7fIn60rqKZ #TATAIPL | #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/NOASW2XRMD
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025
#PBKSvsRCB #RCBvsPBKS: David made sure that Vintage RCB gave a fight to PBKS but PBKS turned everything after their 10th over .. PBKS won by 5 wickets chasing the 90 something target in this 14 overs match .. Overall it got late but expected result !!
— Nishant (@NishantTweets30) April 18, 2025
Also WATCH: Marco Jansen takes a sensational catch to dismiss Virat Kohli in RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 clash
