After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a 42-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 65 of IPL 2025, opener Philip Salt struck a calm and reflective tone, reminding fans and critics that the team had already qualified for the playoffs. He emphasized that it’s better to face such setbacks now than during the high-stakes knockout stages.
What Philip Salt Said:
“That’s one way of looking at it. The other way is that we don’t mind having this kind of game now, rather than during the playoffs… We’ve already qualified… no one likes losing, especially in cricket. I hate the fact that we've lost, just like everyone else wearing an RCB shirt. But you'd rather have a result like this now than in an eliminator, for instance.”
Salt’s perspective shows maturity, especially with the playoffs approaching, and reflects a team focused on peaking at the right time.
Match Recap:
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Venue: BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
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Target: 232 (set by SRH)
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RCB’s Reply: Bowled out for 189 in 19.5 overs
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Result: Lost by 42 runs
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Key Impact: RCB missed the chance to move to the top of the table
RCB’s Current Standings:
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Matches Played: 13
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Wins: 8
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Points: 17
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Current Position: 3rd on the IPL 2025 points table
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Net Run Rate (NRR): Likely to have taken a hit after the loss
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Playoff Status: Already Qualified, but need help to reach top two
What’s Next for RCB:
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Final League Match: vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27
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To secure a top-two finish (and get two chances to reach the final), RCB must:
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Beat LSG
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Hope both Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) lose their final matches
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A top-two finish is crucial, as it allows teams a second chance via Qualifier 1 and Eliminator routes.
Context Around the Playoff Race:
With RCB, SRH, GT, and PBKS all in the mix for the top four, the last round of league games will be decisive in finalizing the top two seeds, which enjoy a strategic advantage in the playoffs.
