Punjab Kings stormed to a five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, wasting little time after a rain-delay reduced the match to a 14-over innings affair.

There was a close to two-hour delay after intermittent rain, but Punjab took little time to settle in despite that, with a ruthless bowling performance getting the job done in the Indian Premier League.

Phil Salt started with a crisp drive for four off the first ball, but it was not a sign of things to come as he was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh (2-23) on the fourth delivery of the match, with Virat Kohli (1) following shortly after.

Rajat Patidar (23) steadied the ship somewhat, though RCB's middle order collapse meant that a respectable total was never truly in sight.

Tim David, though, ensured they would not be bowled out for their lowest-ever tally with an impressive half-century on a very tough wicket, but there was little else for RCB to get excited about.

Nobody else on the team hit double figures as Punjab picked off the batters with little fuss, Marco Jansen (2-10) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2-11) leading the charge as they reduced RCB to 42-7 early in the ninth over.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8) supported David's stand well, but with his dismissal quickly followed by Yash Dayal being trapped lbw for a duck, they were only able to reach 95-9.

Punjab did not have an easy time in the chase though, with Josh Hazlewood (3-14) trying his hardest to give RCB an unlikely chance.

Prabhsimran Singh fell for 13 before Hazlewood came to the fore, taking Priyansh Arya (16), Shreyas Iyer (7) and Josh Inglis (14) to reduce Punjab to 53-4 at the end of the eighth over.

However, Nehal Wadhera got them back on track with a steady knock of 33, which included three boundaries and three maximums, but it was Marcus Stoinis who hit the winning six to take them to 98-5.

before heading back home! pic.twitter.com/H0gPFSVLSO
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 18, 2025

Data Debrief: Sorry RCB salvage some pride

RCB may look at the weather delay as a factor in their performance, but their performance with the bat left much to be desired.

Their lowest ever score in the IPL was 49 all out in a torrid affair against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017, and that looked in danger of being broken on Friday, until David dragged his team to their total with his first half-century in the competition.

Punjab's bowlers put on a clinic, helped somewhat by RCB's shaky performance and a very two-paced wicket, but Hazlewood stole the show in the second innings, keeping RCB's slim hopes of a fightback alive.

He has now taken 12 wickets this season, the joint-highest total in the competition (Noor Ahmad also has 12).

It was of little consolation though, as Punjab moved up to second in the table with a win, with RCB remain fourth after their third loss this season.