Jaipur, Apr 13 (UNI) A masterclass in white-ball batting from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cruise to a commanding nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 28 of the Indian Premier League, played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Sunday.

Chasing 174, RCB made a mockery of the target, finishing at 175/1 in just 17.3 overs, thanks to a whirlwind 65 off 33 balls from Salt, an elegant 62* off 45 from Kohli, and a blistering 40* from 28 balls by Padikkal.

The innings began with Salt setting the tone in breathtaking fashion. Facing Jofra Archer in the very first over, he got lucky with an inside edge that missed the stumps and ran to the boundary. But there was no luck involved a few balls later when he muscled a 144 kph bouncer from Archer over fine-leg for six. Salt was soon toying with every bowler – smashing Maheesh Theekshana for a flat six over long-on, heaving Sandeep Sharma over long-off, and even hammering a half-tracker from Wanindu Hasaranga over midwicket.

Salt reached his fifty in just 28 balls, his third of the season, as RR's bowling and fielding unraveled. He survived dropped chances from Jaiswal and Sandeep Sharma, and was nearly run out after a misfield at cover, but Salt rode his luck. He finally fell for 65 after top-edging a pull straight to Jaiswal at deep midwicket in the ninth over, but by then the damage was done, RCB were 92 for 1.

Enter Padikkal, who delighted the Jaipur spectators with a boundary-laden knock. His intent was clear from the outset: he got going with a sweetly timed four off Hasaranga, then pierced short cover with a crisp drive. When Riyan Parag strayed down leg, Padikkal nudged it fine for another four.

Padikkal's most authoritative shot came in the 15th over – a brutal hook over fine leg for six off Tushar Deshpande. He followed that with a straight drive for four and almost fell next ball, but was dropped by Theekshana at third man.

Kohli, meanwhile, was at his silken best. He caressed Sandeep through cover for four, punished Theekshana’s short ball with a whiplash pull, and danced down the track to loft Hasaranga for a majestic six over long-on—bringing up his third fifty of the season. He also stitched a fluent 50-run partnership with Padikkal as RR's attack wilted.

The match ended in the 18th over when Padikkal steered a wide slower ball from Sandeep past backward point for four. RCB had completed a royal rout, winning by nine wickets with 15 balls to spare.

None of RR’s bowlers escaped punishment, and their fielding was equally culpable, with as many as four chances going down, including two off Salt and one apiece off Kohli and Padikkal.

Earlier, a classy 75 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a brisk unbeaten 35 by Dhruv Jurel powered Rajasthan Royals to a competitive 173/4.

After being put into bat, RR rode on Jaiswal’s fluent strokeplay as the young left-hander held the innings together with a composed knock filled with elegant boundaries and well-placed shots.

Jaiswal provided early momentum despite the fall of Sanju Samson, who laboured to 15 off 19 balls before being stumped off Krunal Pandya. The dismissal ended a 49-run opening stand and exposed RR’s vulnerability in the middle.

However, Jaiswal’s ability to manipulate the field—displayed through inventive shots like a reverse sweep and a scoop over fine leg—kept the innings moving forward.

Riyan Parag’s 30 off 22 balls added spark through the middle overs, and his 56-run stand with Jaiswal looked promising until both batters fell in quick succession. Jaiswal was trapped leg-before by Hazlewood, while Parag mistimed a slower one to Kohli. That threatened to slow RR’s momentum, but Dhruv Jurel stepped up under pressure in the death overs with clean hitting.

Jurel’s unbeaten 35 off 23 balls included a towering six down the ground and some smart placement through the leg side. He, along with brief contributions from Hetmyer and Nitish Rana, ensured RR scored 44 runs in the final four overs. For RCB, Krunal and Bhuvneshwar were economical, while Hazlewood and Yash Dayal picked timely wickets. Suyash Sharma had an off day, leaking 39 runs, which RR capitalised on to finish with a total that seemed competitive on a flat deck.

RCB's clinical chase not only earned them a crucial win but also lifted their net run rate significantly, tightening the mid-table race.

Brief Scores:

RR 173/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 75, Dhruv Jurel 35*; Hazlewood 1/26, Krunal 1/29)

RCB 175/1 in 17.3 overs (Phil Salt 65, Virat Kohli 62*, Devdutt Padikkal 40*)

RCB won by 9 wickets.

UNI BDN CS