RCB's ambitions of progressing into the playoffs have been severely hampered by the loss of three matches at their home venue this season. Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu delivered his advice that home wins could play a key role in scripting any team's story to reach the playoffs, stating that it will surely hit them hard when they keep losing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB was denied a home win for the third time on Friday, April 18, by the Punjab Kings (PBKS), as five wickets took it with Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB could only manage 95 runs as rain brought down the match from 14 to just 14 overs as the chasing Punjab side took the target home with 11 balls to spare. While speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu emphasized the need for winning matches at home in the IPL. He reiterates that RCB should turn their fortunes around at Chinnaswamy ground but adds quite interestingly that if they qualify for the knockouts they could be serious title contenders. A cloud over RCB's playoff place?#TimeOut pic.twitter.com/oD6AR74sB5 — ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 19, 2025 Ambati Rayudu stated on ESPNCricinfo: "I think whatever is happening at home can cost them a playoff place because they have to win at home. You can't win all your away games—other teams are also getting better every day. But if they qualify, they'll have a very, very good chance because the playoffs are in Hyderabad and Kolkata." Punjan's bowlers very quickly made major inroads, razing RCB's top order to 42/7 in just nine overs. Arshdeep Singh began with the scalps of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, then came Xavier Bartlett, who was supported by Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen, bringing down even more RCB batsmen under pressure. Rajat Patidar (23) put an attempt to salvage the innings, but it was no use as the team crumbled to a disastrous 63/9. The jolt came in the form of Tim David- a blazing hot unbeaten 50 that came off 26 deliveries, including three back-to-back sixes off Harpreet Brar in the 14th over; his assault gave RCB a score that was just a little better than failing full-fledged. Punjab, in reply, got off like a shot from a gun with Prabhsimran Singh striking his first boundaries from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which were cut short with an early dismissal for only 13 runs and then went to fall to Josh Hazlewood after hitting 16 runs, followed by Priyansh Arya. Read also: What is the Cut-Off Time for RCB vs PBKS Match in IPL 2025? Hazlewood then took two key wickets in the same over and with the dismissal of captain Shreyas Iyer (7) and Josh Inglis (14), the PBKS were down to 56/4 in 8 overs. But Nehal Wadhera held together the innings with a composed and attacking 33* from 19 balls. Wadhera belted Suyash Sharma in the ninth over, with a four and a six, and then landed two more boundaries. Marcus Stoinis (7*) finished off the chase with a cracking six over wide long-on off Yash Dayal. Tim David was named Player of the Match, despite RCB's loss, for his 50 off 14 balls with two catches. With this victory, Punjab Kings move to second in the points table having secured five victories out of their seven matches. The two teams will take on each other again on April 20 at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh.