Image: Hazlewood-Jaiswal clash heats up fiery RCB vs RR encounter / © Hindustan Times
With the IPL 2025 playoff race heating up, tensions ran high during the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals in Bengaluru. A fiery moment occurred in the fourth over when Josh Hazlewood and Yashasvi Jaiswal exchanged words after a heated send-off. Hazlewood initially dominated with three dot balls, but Jaiswal struck back with three consecutive boundaries. He continued his assault in the final over of the Powerplay, hitting two fours and a six, but eventually fell for 49 after mistiming a slower delivery to mid-wicket. Hazlewood’s aggressive send-off triggered a visibly furious response from Jaiswal.
Hazlewood emerged as the match-winner for RCB with a fiery spell, taking 4 wickets for 33 runs, helping his side seal an 11-run victory. Chasing a target of 206, the Rajasthan Royals managed only 194/9, marking their fifth consecutive defeat in the tournament. Dhruv Jurel added 47 runs in a losing cause, while Krunal Pandya (2/31), Yash Dayal (1/33), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/50) provided solid support to Hazlewood.
Earlier, RCB posted 205/5, powered by a 95-run stand between Virat Kohli (70 off 42) and Devdutt Padikkal (50 off 27). Late cameos from Tim David (23) and Jitesh Sharma (19*) ensured a strong finish for the hosts.