The IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium turned into a showcase of spin bowling brilliance, with GT’s left-arm spinner Sai Kishore earning high praise from veteran Jaydev Unadkat for his “brave spell.” In a match where RCB posted 169/8 in their 20 overs, Sai Kishore’s figures of 2/22 in 4 overs stood out, not just for the numbers but for the skill and adaptability he displayed on a ground notorious for being a graveyard for spinners.
Jaydev Unadkat’s glowing tribute for Sai Kishore
Unadkat, the seasoned left-arm pacer for GT, lauded Kishore’s performance. His words captured the essence of Sai Kishore’s spell, which was a masterclass in spin bowling under challenging conditions. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, with its small boundaries (55–65 meters) and batting-friendly pitch, has historically favored batters, often leaving spinners vulnerable to big scores. Yet, Sai Kishore not only held his own but also outshone GT’s star spinner Rashid Khan, who struggled, conceding 54 runs in his spell.
“That was one brave spell by Sai Kishore! Angles, speed variations, batter awareness, skills.. sometimes the figures don’t justify how good the performance was! Also, very few spinners can do that at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Brilliant to watch #RCBvGT.” wrote Unadkat on X.
That was one brave spell by Sai Kishore! Angles, speed variations, batter awareness, skills.. sometimes the figures don’t justify how good the performance was! Also, very few spinners can do that at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Brilliant to watch👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼#RCBvGT
— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) April 2, 2025
Also WATCH: Phil Salt sends Mohammed Siraj out of the stadium for colossal 105 meter six during RCB vs GT game at IPL 2025
RCB set a competitive total on the board
RCB, playing their first home game of the IPL 2025 season, were led by new captain Rajat Patidar and came into the match on the back of two consecutive away wins against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. GT, captained by Shubman Gill, opted to bowl first, a decision influenced by the venue’s history of favoring chasing teams—49 wins for teams batting second compared to 41 for teams setting a target in 94 IPL matches at Chinnaswamy.
Kishore’s introduction in the middle overs turned the tide. The hosts finished at 169/8, with Liam Livingstone top-scoring with a gritty 54 off 40 balls, including 1 four and 5 sixes. Livingstone’s knock was crucial in pushing RCB towards a competitive total, especially after GT’s spinners, led by Kishore, applied the brakes in the middle overs. On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the GT bowlers, claiming 3 wickets, while Kishore’s 2/22 played a pivotal role in restricting RCB on a ground where scores often soar past 200.
