RCB's playoff journey hasn't always been about runs—these unforgettable spells proved their bowlers could roar when it mattered most
IPL playoffs are where heroes are forged and legacies tested. For a team like Royal Challengers Bangalore, often praised for big-hitting superstars, it's easy to overlook the quiet assassins with the ball. But over the years, RCB's bowlers have delivered game-changing spells under crushing pressure. They've dismissed legends, defended tight targets, and ignited hope when it seemed lost. In this flashback, we revisit the fiercest bowling performances by RCB in playoff matches—spells that didn't just earn wickets but etched themselves into the fabric of IPL folklore.
Shane Watson showed up like a storm at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With the crowd roaring and stakes sky-high, he delivered a fiery four-wicket spell that left Gujarat Lions gasping.
Watson dismissed Suresh Raina early, crashing the top order. Then, he returned at the death to clean up the tail, leaving Gujarat at a defendable 158. His variations on a dry surface made scoring tough. While AB de Villiers later stole the show with a match-winning knock, Watson's bowling had already turned the game. It was raw, relentless, and razor-sharp.
Pressure doesn't rattle Josh Hazlewood. He kept his cool in the 2022 Eliminator, defending a massive total of 208 against Lucknow Super Giants.
Hazlewood got an early breakthrough, but his most important moment came at the death. KL Rahul was still at the crease and looking dangerous. But Hazlewood's wide yorker tricked him into a ramp shot straight to fine leg. He also removed Stoinis, sealing the win. Even though he went for runs, his knack for taking big wickets under pressure made the difference. Quietly brilliant, Hazlewood took RCB a step closer to the dream.
When all seemed lost, Mohammed Siraj injected life into RCB's campaign. Kolkata were cruising towards a modest target of 139. But Siraj's 18th over changed the tone.
He removed both Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine in a few balls. A searing yorker and a sharp in-ducker gave RCB hope. Siraj also bowled tightly with the new ball, giving away just 19 runs in four overs. He didn't concede a single boundary and delivered 10 dot balls. The result may not have gone RCB's way, but Siraj gave them a fighting chance with passion and precision.
In a match where every run mattered, Yuzvendra Chahal brought calm and craft. Bowling in the middle overs, he choked KKR's progress with flight, dip, and turn.
He removed Nitish Rana with a beautiful delivery through the gate. Then got Tripathi mistiming a lofted shot. Chahal gave away just 16 runs in four overs, including eight dot balls. He pulled the tempo back, applied pressure, and caused panic in the KKR camp. While the result slipped away, Chahal's spell stood out as a tactical gem — subtle but significant.
Harshal Patel had been the story of IPL 2021, and he showed why in the Eliminator. With the Purple Cap already in hand, he continued to shine under lights.
He bowled with great variation, taking out both Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer. His slower ones deceived the batters, and his yorkers were spot on. Harshal gave away only 19 runs, bowled 10 dot balls, and maintained pressure throughout. His 32 wickets equalled Bravo's record, and his spell gave RCB hope even with a low total. It was grit over glamour, a bowler maximizing every inch of skill.
