Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed a crucial opportunity to solidify a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 league standings, succumbing to a 42-run defeat against a spirited Sunrisers Hyderabad unit in Lucknow on Friday.

Despite the setback, RCB remain firmly in the playoff race with 17 points, but have now dropped to third place behind Gujarat Titans (18 points) and Punjab Kings (17 points), with their net run rate suffering a notable dip.