Kohli’s 70 Propels Him to 2nd in IPL 2025 Orange Cap Race; Hazlewood Shines with 4-Wicket Haul
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) significantly impacted both the Orange and Purple Cap leaderboards after their match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli’s batting prowess and Josh Hazlewood’s impactful bowling propelled them up the respective charts.
Kohli continued his impressive form in IPL 2025, crafting a composed 70 runs off 42 deliveries, marking his second consecutive half-century. This innings elevated his season total to 392 runs from nine innings, securing him the second position in the Orange Cap race. Gujarat Titans’ B Sai Sudharsan remains at the top with 417 runs from eight matches, maintaining a remarkable average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 152.18. Lucknow Super Giants’ Nicholas Pooran, an early frontrunner, has slipped to third place with 377 runs, while Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav trails closely behind in fourth with 373 runs, showcasing his consistent performance. Jos Buttler (GT) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) are also in contention with 356 runs each. Jaiswal’s recent resurgence is notable, with scores of 75, 51, 74, and 49 in his last four matches, demonstrating a strong comeback after a slow start to the season.
On the bowling front, RCB’s Josh Hazlewood delivered a game-changing performance, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs against Rajasthan, significantly disrupting their chase. This impressive spell places him alongside GT’s Prasidh Krishna at the top of the Purple Cap standings, with both bowlers having taken 16 wickets from eight matches. Krishna currently holds the top spot due to a superior economy rate and average. Several bowlers are in close pursuit with 12 wickets each, including GT’s R Sai Kishore and Mohammed Siraj, CSK’s Noor Ahmad, DC’s Kuldeep Yadav, MI’s Hardik Pandya, and LSG’s Shardul Thakur. Among these contenders, Kuldeep Yadav boasts the best economy rate at 6.50, followed by Noor Ahmad at 7.66.
Hazlewood’s resurgence provides a significant boost to RCB’s bowling attack, while Kohli’s consistent performance remains crucial to their playoff aspirations. The match highlighted RCB’s tactical approach, leveraging Kohli’s form to build a solid foundation and Hazlewood’s bowling to restrict the opposition. Rajasthan’s struggle against Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling underscores the importance of adapting to varying pitch conditions and bowling styles.
The official statistics reflect the dominance of both Kohli and Hazlewood in their respective domains. Kohli’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed has been a key factor in RCB’s success. Hazlewood’s accuracy and ability to generate swing have made him a formidable force in the tournament. The evolving dynamics of both leaderboards promise an exciting second half of the IPL 2025 season. The competition for the Orange and Purple Caps is intensifying, with several players vying for the top spots. As the tournament progresses, key statistics such as highest strike rates, most sixes, best economy rates, and best bowling figures will continue to be closely monitored.
An RCB official stated, “We are thrilled with the performances of both Virat and Josh. Their contributions have been instrumental to the team’s success, and we hope they can maintain this momentum in the upcoming matches.” The team’s focus remains on consistent performance and strategic adaptation to secure a playoff spot.
