SRH’s Fiery Defense Crushes RCB: A Second-Innings Masterclass in IPL 2025 Match 65 - Bringing You the Greatest Moments in Sports

Powerplay Pyrotechnics: SRH Start with Fire and Fumbles

The match kicked off with electrifying intensity at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025 Match 65. Opting to bat first, SRH’s openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head came out blazing, but RCB struck twice in the powerplay to keep things even.

Abhishek Sharma started well with a couple of clean flicks but fell to Ngidi trying to go over deep square leg.

Travis Head followed quickly, mistiming a knuckle ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, caught by Shepherd.

SRH were 54/2 at the end of the powerplay — an aggressive but risky start.

Kishan’s Redemption Arc: Half-Century After Slump

The narrative quickly turned into a personal tale of resurgence. Ishan Kishan, who had been struggling for form this season, found his rhythm with authoritative stroke play. His bat did the talking as he dismantled the bowling attack from both pace and spin ends.

Brought up his fifty off 29 balls with a loft over mid-wicket.
Hit boundaries through innovation: reverse sweeps, scoops, and inside-out drives.
Crucial boundaries:
- 13.1 – Two runs to raise his 50
- 16.4 – Scooped Shepherd over fine leg
- 17.5 – Downtown six off Bhuvneshwar

By the 18th over, Kishan was anchoring the innings with SRH racing past 190.

Aniket’s Cameo Carnage: Explosive 26 from 9 Balls

Enter Aniket Verma. The youngster exploded onto the scene with sheer intent and brute power. His brief yet impactful stay sent shivers down the RCB bowling unit:

11.1 to 11.3 – 12 runs in 3 balls: slog sweep, full toss launched over long-off, and another six.
10.2 – Smashed a pitched-up delivery over long-off for six.
His 26 off 9 balls included 3 sixes and 1 four, with a strike rate over 280.

However, his charge ended in the 11.4th over when he mistimed a whip off Krunal Pandya, offering a simple catch to Bhuvneshwar.

Heinrich Klaasen continued his role as the middle-over enforcer. Paired briefly with Kishan, he found the fence with finesse and occasional brute force.

6.3 – Glanced a poor delivery down leg for four
6.4 – Picked a googly and smoked it straight back for six
8.1 to 8.4 – Back-to-back boundaries and a calm 24 off 13

He was finally out trying to loft Suyash Sharma over long-off but didn’t get the elevation. A crucial mini-cameo, nonetheless.

Shepherd’s Slower Strikes: Middle-Over Momentum Checks

Romario Shepherd was the only consistent threat in the middle overs for RCB. With clever changes of pace and short-of-length deliveries, he picked up key wickets:

Klaasen Keeps It Ticking: Middle-Overs Muscle

14.2 – Dismissed Nitish Reddy with a rising slower one
17.0 – Trapped Abhinav Manohar with another slower delivery, caught at deep mid-wicket

His bowling figures helped RCB slow down the scoring slightly during the middle stretch.

Death Overs Blitz: Kishan and Cummins Take Off

The final three overs were absolute mayhem as Kishan and Cummins teed off:

18.5 – Cummins swung a slower one from Ngidi over square leg for six

19.4 & 19.5 – Kishan finished the innings with a four and a mighty six off Yash Dayal
19.0 – Ngidi dropped a tough chance off Cummins, costing two more runs

SRH amassed 231/6, finishing the innings with a flourish thanks to smart running, clever placement, and calculated hitting.

Strategic Summary: The Kishan-Centric Carnage

SRH’s plan to attack from the get-go worked despite early hiccups.
Kishan’s role as the stable aggressor was critical.
Use of pinch-hitters like Aniket Verma and Cummins in the death overs paid dividends.
RCB’s bowling lacked bite, especially in the middle overs, where their pacers and spinners leaked runs under pressure.
Death overs again haunted RCB, conceding 49 runs in the last 3.

What to Expect in the Chase?

RCB will need a mammoth batting effort to chase 232 on a wicket that’s slowing down. Eyes will be on Faf, Kohli, and Maxwell to counter SRH’s spin-heavy attack. The stage is set for a blockbuster second half!

The Chase Begins: Kohli and Salt Light the Fuse for RCB

RCB’s run chase of 232 began with high-octane intensity. Virat Kohli looked in ominous form, timing his strokes crisply, and pairing fluently with the returning Phil Salt. Kohli, aggressive from the start, punished anything full or wide, launching early boundaries with textbook elegance—an uppish off-drive over mid-off and a clever flick over square leg giving RCB the desired momentum.

Salt, equally destructive, matched Kohli stroke for stroke. His powerful slash over deep backward point and a thunderous pull over mid-wicket reflected RCB’s intent to chase big. By the end of the Powerplay, RCB had surged past 70 with minimal loss, raising hopes of an improbable chase.

Turning Tides: Dubey Spins Out Kohli’s Masterclass

Just when RCB seemed in total control, left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey delivered the breakthrough. Kohli, batting on 43 off 25, tried carving Dubey over point but found Abhishek Sharma. It was a blow that shifted the tide of the innings. From 79/1, the pressure began creeping back into the RCB dugout.

Kohli’s dismissal not only dented the scoring rate but exposed RCB’s middle-order fragility. Salt, though continuing his aggressive assault, lacked a stable partner as Mayank Agarwal came and went, edging one to Ishan Kishan off Nitish Reddy.

Salt’s Salvo: The Englishman Blasts a Fiery 62

Phil Salt, playing his first match in nearly a month, was in elite touch. He struck five sixes and four boundaries in his electric 62 off 32 balls. Particularly destructive against pace, he ramped Cummins over the keeper, flat-batted Unadkat straight down the ground, and launched Harshal for a mighty six over mid-off.

Salt reached his fifty in style with a fierce slap past long-on and looked set for a match-winning knock. However, Cummins returned to end his resistance as Salt mistimed a flick, giving Harshal Patel a regulation catch. RCB’s hopes dwindled rapidly from there.

RCB’s Freefall: Middle-Order Collapse Ensues

Salt’s departure sparked a swift collapse. Rajat Patidar, after showing glimpses of intent, was run out by a stunning direct hit from Eshan Malinga. Jitesh Sharma attempted to counterattack with two sixes and a four but perished trying to slog Unadkat into the crowd. Shepherd followed next ball, spooning a return catch to Malinga.

Tim David, nursing a hamstring niggle, couldn’t provide late fireworks. He fell to a low full toss by Malinga. Krunal Pandya managed a couple of boundaries before an unusual hit-wicket dismissal off Cummins put the final nail in the coffin.

SRH’s Death Bowling Domination: Cummins, Malinga, Unadkat Shine

Pat Cummins, the veteran tactician, returned at the death and dismantled RCB’s tail. He removed Bhuvneshwar and Krunal in the 18th over, each falling in bizarre yet telling fashion—one clean bowled and the other dislodging his own stumps.

Eshan Malinga’s over was a masterclass in T20 deception. He finished with a game-changing spell, picking three wickets including a brilliant caught-and-bowled and a crucial run-out. Unadkat and Harshal added finishing touches with disciplined lengths and clever variations.

Final Blow: Dayal’s Dismissal Seals RCB’s Collapse

In the 19.5th over, Harshal Patel ensured no late dramatics. Yash Dayal, attempting a hook shot off a short ball, could only find the safe hands of Aniket Verma at deep backward square. With that, RCB’s innings folded at 189, 42 runs short of the target, ending any hopes of a playoff push.

Player of the Match: Ishan Kishan’s Wicket-Keeping and Tactical Brilliance

Though Ishan Kishan didn’t bat, his presence behind the stumps and quick thinking earned him the Player of the Match award. His catch to dismiss Agarwal, vocal direction behind the stumps, and energy in rallying the bowlers, especially during the middle overs, played a critical role in tightening SRH’s grip on the match.

Key Bowling Contributions for SRH

Eshan Malinga: 3/24 – Excellent change-ups and fielding brilliance.
Pat Cummins: 3/34 – Nailed the yorkers, dismantled the tail.
Jaydev Unadkat: 2/28 – Breakthroughs at vital moments.
Harsh Dubey: 1/26 – Dismissed Kohli at a crucial juncture.

Momentum Shift Moments: SRH’s Game-Turning Phase

Kohli’s Wicket (7th Over): Removed RCB’s mainstay while he was cruising.
Salt’s Dismissal (12th Over): The highest scorer gone, with a lot left to chase.
15th-17th Overs: Four wickets fell—including Patidar, Shepherd, Jitesh, and David—within three overs. SRH’s bowlers choked the chase brutally.

Score Summary – SRH vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 65

SRH: 231/6 (20 overs)
RCB: 189 (19.5 overs)
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 42 runs
Player of the Match: Ishan Kishan

Conclusion: SRH Strengthens Playoff Position with Convincing Win

With this clinical performance, Sunrisers Hyderabad showcased why they’re considered one of the most complete teams in IPL 2025. A combination of power hitting, strategic bowling, and electric fielding handed them a commanding win over RCB.

On the other hand, RCB will rue their missed opportunity after a strong Powerplay. Kohli and Salt set the stage, but the middle-order fragility and SRH’s depth in bowling turned the tide. As the playoffs approach, RCB will need miracles, while SRH will march forward, brimming with confidence.

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