Good morning from the IPL beat—Raipur ensured the rain couldn’t steal the spotlight from a chase that ran almost exactly as planned. Even with a late start, the match was completed in full, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru climbed back to the top of the points table after a comfortable win, driven by Virat Kohli’s ninth IPL century. Here’s your quick Cricbuzz Pulse, a two-minute sweep through all the key happenings.
Key takeaways
- RCB returned to the summit of the table after winning the match with five balls remaining.
- Virat Kohli produced his ninth IPL hundred, finishing unbeaten on 105.
- The chase storyline for KKR included early setbacks, but Rinku Singh’s late finishing brought the innings to 194.
- Manish Pandey stunned with a one-handed catch at backward point, prompting Kohli to walk over in appreciation.
- Rain affected proceedings earlier, and play still began after a 75-minute delay.
- No franchise had officially secured a playoffs spot after 57 matches, leaving several teams dependent on results.
How the chase unfolded in Raipur
Rain tried to interfere, but the fans in Raipur still got to witness the chase master at full throttle. Although the start was pushed back, the game ultimately ran to completion. RCB’s victory also carried table implications, helping them reclaim the top position.
Earlier, Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck in the powerplay to give his side an advantage, edging ahead of Kagiso Rabada in the early momentum. KKR, however, had to absorb early blows, and it took a rescue effort from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green to steady the innings. Rinku Singh then played the role of finisher to ensure KKR posted a competitive total of 194.
For RCB, Jacob Bethell once again failed to make a long impact and departed early. Still, the partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli set the foundation for the chase. Kohli held his nerve and carried his form through to the end, remaining not out and delivering the finishing touch as RCB completed the job with five balls left.
That one catch, and the moments that followed
Manish Pandey had not appeared much in recent seasons and had not batted at all earlier in the year before this game. Yet he produced a moment that insisted he still had it—an outstanding one-handed catch at backward point. The 36-year-old made the take look effortless, and while it ultimately came in a match that was already heading toward defeat, the quality of the effort stood out.
Even Virat Kohli, after the immediate action, walked over to acknowledge Pandey. The warmth of that exchange created a wave of nostalgia among supporters, given how long the two have been connected in IPL circles.
Pulse Awards: from chain-loss to perfect comebacks
The “Mr. Careless” award went to Jacob Bethell for failing to notice he had lost his chain on the field after a top edge off his bat struck the helmet.
Kartik Tyagi was handed the “helmet connoisseur” tag. He not only hit Bethell’s helmet, but also returned about ten overs later with a bouncer that struck Rajat Patidar’s headgear, rattling the RCB batter and skipper in the process.
The “perfect-comeback” award was reserved for Virat Kohli. Coming into the contest, he had suffered two ducks in his previous two outings. Even Ian Bishop had questioned whether Kohli would get runs, but the innings answered those doubts emphatically—Kohli ended unbeaten on 105. After reaching his first run of the game, he celebrated with a fist pump and leaned into the moment with a knowing sense of humour.
The “reward-for-patience” award went to the Raipur crowd. Rain had been present before the contest, and the entire venue was covered. When the weather finally eased, there was still a 75-minute delay before the match could begin. Despite the late finish—well past midnight—fans stayed with the game, and they were rewarded with Kohli’s century.
Talking point: playoffs remain unsettled
After 57 matches, no team had confirmed its playoffs position. RCB and Gujarat Titans, with their wins over the last two days, made a crucial leap forward. The night’s result also tightened the screws on KKR, reducing their options and forcing them to lean heavily on other results to keep their postseason chances alive.
One positive for KKR is that their remaining three fixtures are all at home. For supporters of other teams, the qualification picture continues to shift—scenarios are still being mapped out across the league.
The chatter, the stat snack, and the gossip
Following that outstanding hundred, Kohli shared a clear message about commitment. He said he gives his heart and soul on the field, whether it’s while batting or fielding, because the end of the journey will eventually arrive. The “one day” he referred to may still be far off, but it underlined his mindset in the tournament.
Jitesh Sharma also offered a positivity blueprint, pointing to the idea that people can see the glass either half empty or half full when runs are hard to come by. Asked about Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar responded with confidence that Salt will find his rhythm soon—something that should certainly be encouraging for RCB fans.
Stat snack: Kohli matched Rohit Sharma for the most “player of the match” awards in IPL history, with both tied at 21 each.
Gossip column: While MS Dhoni has kept fans and CSK’s leadership guessing in recent years, the latest talk suggests even aviation might be part of the mystery—IndiGo could, in theory, lean on CSK supporters for advice if CSK decide to send Dhoni toward Ahmedabad.
Tonight’s watchlist and a playful prediction
Teams that are already out of contention often become dangerous opponents in the IPL. From that angle, the Mumbai Indians are expected to look for opportunities to pile pressure on Punjab Kings, whose troubles have been mounting. A preview of the Punjab Kings situation is in focus for tonight.
Reckless prediction: Prabhsimran Singh is expected to silence his critics again—this time by going shirtless on the pitch.
