Data Shorts: Salt peppers PowerPlay smarts in RCB's rise

The one thing that has stood out about RCB's IPL 2025 campaign is stability, achieved through clear roles for each player. They've stumbled upon their perfect combination right from the onset and have used just 13 players so far, alternating between Rasikh Salam and Suyash Sharma based on conditions.

RCB's second-biggest auction investment, INR 11.50 crore on Phil Salt, has paid immediate dividends. He has effectively taken over from Faf du Plessis as the PowerPlay aggressor. After the game in Jaipur, Salt leads the PowerPlay run charts with 182 runs at a strike rate of 193.61, including 11 sixes – the most in the league.

RCB began cautiously, managing only 45/0 in the Powerplay, their lowest of the season. RR never found top gear on a low and slow surface, finishing at 173/4. Salt adapted brilliantly, carving Archer for three boundaries to the shorter side and hitting cleanly down the ground.

RCB ended the Powerplay 20 runs ahead of where RR were at the same point, effectively killing the contest before the hosts' key weapon, Wanindu Hasaranga, could make an impact.