Impact player manoj

Impact Player Manoj Bhandage: Nehal Wadhera smashed an unbeaten 33 off 19 as Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by five wickets in a marred 14-over match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, here at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

The pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is usually a batting paradise, turned into a scrappy, slow-burn contest that underlined how far this famed venue has shifted from its identity. A two-hour rain delay sliced the game down to 14 overs per side, and while the shortened format often promises fireworks, Thursday evening delivered a nervy low-scorer where every mistimed pull and flat-batted slap felt like a risk worth regretting.

Earlier, it had looked like RCB might not even touch the 50-run mark. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, their innings unravelled into a procession of misjudged strokes, tight bowling, and the weight of the pitch’s awkward bounce.