RR implode vs RCB, cricketers stunned

It happened against Delhi Capitals. Then again versus Lucknow Super Giants. And once more against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For the third straight match, Rajasthan Royals threw away a strong position while chasing, hitting the self-destruct button each time. The result? Three consecutive losses in IPL 2025. Following yet another baffling collapse, former cricketers Simon Katich and Pommie Mbangwa slammed RR’s batting performance.

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RR’s Choking Streak Continues with Another Botched Chase

Former Australia batter Simon Katich said RR butchered the chase when Shubham Dubey, the last recognised batter, was dismissed on the first ball of the 20th over with RR needing 17 runs to win. “RR is butchering the chase,” said Katich on commentary.

Former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa, commenting alongside Simon Katich, expressed disbelief at Rajasthan Royals’ third consecutive collapse, saying “lightning strikes thrice” as they squandered winning positions yet again. He remarked that only the team could explain such repeated failures, unable to overcome the ghosts of previous defeats. With this latest loss, RR are now out of contention for a playoff spot in IPL 2025, having lost seven of their nine matches.

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Needing 18 off 12 balls, RR crumbled under pressure as Josh Hazlewood (4/33) delivered a match-turning over, claiming two wickets for just one run, halting their chase at 194/9 in pursuit of 206. His brilliance overshadowed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive 49 off 19 and Dhruv Jurel’s gritty 47 off 34, as RR slumped to their fifth straight loss. Earlier, Virat Kohli (70) and Devdutt Padikkal (50) powered RCB with a 95-run stand, while RR’s chase started strong with Jaiswal and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi adding 52 off 27. Despite cameos from Riyan Parag and Jurel, RR once again faltered in the final overs, echoing their previous meltdown against LSG.

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