IPL 2025: Tim David to the rescue again as RCB make 95/9 in 14 overs against Punjab Kings

A late Tim David show saved Royal Challengers Bengaluru's blushes once again as his fighting half century took them to 95/9 against Punjab Kings in a rain-curtailed Indian Premier League match on Friday.

Asked to bat first, RCB lost wickets at regular intervals with the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Marco Jansen doing the bulk of the damage for the visiting team in the match that was reduced to 14 overs per side after a delayed start due to rain.

Tim David top-scored with an unbeaten 50 off 26 balls, his first in the IPL, plundering 21 runs in last over by Harpreet Brar. 

Pressure to score quick runs and clever bowling by Punjab Kings restricted Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a disappointing 95/9 despite earnest efforts by the big Australian.

The match started at 9.45 PM (ISR) after showers resumed throughout the evening in Bengaluru. Deciding to make most of the conditions, Shreyas Iyer did not hesitate to bowl first. The decision proved right as Punjab bowlers plucked three wickets in the power play segment, which was curtailed to four overs because of the delayed start.

Phil Salt started the proceedings with a crisp boundary but perished in the first over itself, trying to hammer Arshdeep Singh (2/23) out of the park and stumper Josh Inglis completed a good catch.

Virat Kohli did not last long either, as Marco Jansen peddled 20 metres back to pull off a terrific catch off Arshdeep.

Pacer Xavier Bartlett joined his teammate with the wicket of Liam Livingstone.

The Royal Challengers' power play phase score read a sorry 26 for three.

Yuzvendra Chahal (2/11) made his return to his one-time IPL home Chinnaswamy Stadium memorable with the wicket of Jitesh Sharma.

Amidst the ruins around him, skipper Rajat Patidar played some handsome shots, and none better than a pick-up off his pads off Bartlett that soared over mid-wicket for a six.

But RCB soon received a body blow as Patidar (23, 18b) could not clear Bartlett at sweeper cover off Chahal, who teased the batters with those tossed up, fuller deliveries.

Jansen (2/10), who used short-pitched balls to good effect, had his own moments as he jettisoned Krunal Pandya and Impact Sub Manoj Bhandage as RCB innings unravelled.

It was despite a few customary big blows by David (50 not out, 26 balls) that included three sixes in a row off left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar. David made 32 runs for the final wicket with Josh Hazlewood off 14 balls.