Synopsis
In an exhilarating match, Krunal Pandya's phenomenal all-round performance led RCB to a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, securing the top position in the IPL 2025 points table. With remarkable contributions from Virat Kohli and timely bowling, RCB continues to shine in the tournament. Discover the thrilling moments of the match that captivated fans!Key Takeaways
- Krunal Pandya’s outstanding all-round performance was pivotal in RCB’s success.
- Virat Kohli continues to demonstrate his form with another fifty this season.
- RCB’s bowlers effectively restricted DC to a low score.
- Strong partnerships were key to RCB's successful chase.
- RCB remains undefeated in their away games this season.
New Delhi, April 27 (NationPress) Passionate supporters in New Delhi eagerly awaited a spectacular return of Virat Kohli along with a victory for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Their wishes were granted on a sweltering Sunday evening, highlighted by Krunal Pandya’s remarkable all-round performance, as RCB triumphed over Delhi Capitals by six wickets, ascending to the top of the IPL 2025 points table at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
RCB’s bowlers, spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar who took 3 wickets for 33 runs, alongside Josh Hazlewood with 2 wickets for 36 runs, and a formidable effort from Krunal and Suyash Sharma (1-50 in eight overs), restricted DC to a modest total of 162/8, marking the lowest first innings score here in IPL since 2024. DC found themselves in a precarious position at 108/4 after 15 overs, but a spirited 34 runs off 18 balls by Tristan Stubbs helped them cross the 160-run threshold.
In response, RCB stumbled early at 26/3. However, Krunal showcased his class, scoring a splendid 73 off 47 balls, featuring five fours and four sixes. He received solid backing from Kohli, who contributed 51 runs off 47 balls, as the pair formed a match-winning 119-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The partnership was well-structured, with Pandya playing aggressively while Kohli acted as the stabilizing force. Tim David sealed the chase with an unbeaten 21 off five balls, ensuring RCB’s successful away campaign continued this season.
DC started explosively, led by Abishek Porel with a rapid 28 runs off 11 balls. His exceptional timing was evident as he struck fours and sixes early on. Yet, Hazlewood curtailed Porel’s surge, dismissing him on a short ball. As Faf du Plessis struggled for rhythm, DC lost Karun Nair, caught out on a pull shot. With Suyash and Krunal maintaining tight lines, RCB effectively stifled DC’s scoring.
Du Plessis’s struggle ended when he was caught out off Krunal. KL Rahul and Axar Patel attempted to rebuild, with Rahul punishing any errors. However, Hazlewood struck crucial blows, toppling Axar’s wicket, leaving DC in a bind.
Pressure mounted in the 17th over as Bhuvneshwar sent Rahul back to the pavilion, while impact player Ashutosh Sharma was bowled out. Stubbs tried to inject momentum with some boundaries, yet the initial struggles kept DC's score below par.
For RCB’s chase, Jacob Bethell provided a lively start before falling to Axar. The innings faced further hiccups with quick wickets, leaving RCB at 26/3. However, a well-timed recovery came from Kohli and Pandya, who gradually shifted the momentum. Pandya asserted himself with powerful shots, bringing up his fifty and eventually assisting RCB to a commanding victory as they finished with nine balls to spare, delighting the fans in the capital.
Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 162/8 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 41, Tristan Stubbs 34; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-33, Josh Hazlewood 2-36) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 165/4 in 18.3 overs (Krunal Pandya 73 not out, Virat Kohli 51; Axar Patel 2-19, Dushmantha Chameera 1-24) by six wickets.
