RCB Dominates Rajasthan Royals with Kohli's Milestone and Salt's Explosive Performance

RCB's Commanding Victory Over Rajasthan Royals

Phil Salt's explosive innings of 65 runs off just 33 balls set the stage, while Virat Kohli celebrated his 100th T20 fifty, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a convincing nine-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL on Sunday.

Choosing to bowl first proved advantageous for RCB on a pitch that exhibited low bounce and variable conditions, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's impressive 75 runs off 47 balls, which was the highlight of Rajasthan's total of 173/4.

On a challenging surface at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Salt's aggressive approach caught the Royals off guard.

He struck six sixes and five fours, putting immense pressure on the Rajasthan bowlers right from the start.

With Salt's fiery performance complemented by Kohli's composed 62 not out from 45 balls (including 4 fours and 2 sixes), RCB successfully chased down the target of 174 in just 17.3 overs.

This victory marked RCB's fourth win of the season, all achieved in away matches.

Salt made his intentions clear early on, hitting a six off Jofra Archer in the first over and surviving a close lbw appeal.

He adeptly maneuvered across the stumps to target the leg side, reaching his fifty in a mere 28 balls and reducing the target to under 100 runs by the eighth over.

Salt had his share of luck; a powerful flick at 23 ricocheted off Sandeep Sharma's hand during a challenging catch attempt.

Later, at 40, Jaiswal dropped a difficult chance at cover, which also presented a run-out opportunity that went uncapitalized. Salt made sure to take full advantage of these mistakes.

Kohli, on the other hand, played a more reserved role initially, scoring only seven runs from his first six balls.

He too had a moment of fortune when Riyan Parag dropped a catch off Sandeep's slower delivery, but Kohli quickly regained his composure and settled into his role as the anchor.

The pair formed a solid 92-run opening partnership, with 65 runs scored during the powerplay, a crucial phase that shifted the momentum in RCB's favor.

Salt was eventually dismissed for 65 by Kumar Kartikeya, leaving RCB needing just 82 runs from 68 balls.

Kohli then took control, accumulating runs with 25 singles and selecting boundaries with precision.

He celebrated his 100th T20 fifty in style, lofting Wanindu Hasaranga for a boundary, and in the 15th over, RCB needed just 28 runs from 30 balls to secure the win.

Kohli now boasts 100 fifties and nine centuries across 405 T20 matches.

Earlier, Jaiswal, at just 23 years old, showcased his talent with 10 fours and two sixes, navigating the tricky pitch with skill while his teammates struggled.

After overcoming a disciplined bowling attack from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal, Jaiswal began to find his rhythm in the fifth over, hitting a six and a four off Dayal.

He reached his second fifty of the season in 35 balls and formed a 56-run partnership with Riyan Parag (30 off 18) that came together in just 39 balls.

Parag looked promising with a six and three boundaries but missed a chance on 13 when Dayal dropped a straightforward catch.

He eventually fell to Dayal's cleverly disguised slower ball, miscuing it to Kohli at short cover.

Sanju Samson (13 off 16) had a tough outing, struggling with seven dot balls and tight bowling. He narrowly avoided a run-out but was ultimately stumped after misjudging a low delivery from Krunal Pandya.

Jaiswal kept the scoreboard moving with creative shots, including a lap and a reverse sweep, even hitting Hazlewood for a six over fine leg before falling to him in the same over, getting trapped in front after missing a sweep.

In the final overs, Dhruv Jurel (35* off 23) provided a valuable contribution but took time to settle in, facing several dot balls early on.