Royal Challengers Bengaluru overcame a disastrous PowerPlay while chasing 163 to secure their sixth consecutive away win in the IPL 2025, this time in Delhi. Krunal Pandya (73* off 47) and Virat Kohli (51 off 47) stitched together a match-defining 119-run partnership for the fourth wicket, paving the way for a six-wicket triumph over Delhi Capitals and propelling RCB to the top of the table.
The contest was effectively sealed in the middle overs, where Delhi Capitals struggled to find any momentum against RCB’s spin duo of Krunal and Suyash Sharma. While DC crawled to 56/2 at a run-rate of 6.22, hitting just four fours and a solitary six, RCB surged ahead with 79/0 at a brisk 8.78 run-rate, peppered with three fours and four sixes. Although Krunal and Kohli initially faced some resistance during this phase, they eventually broke free and turned the tide against one of the most disciplined bowling attacks of the season.
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Hazlewood Halts Porel’s Bright Start
Faf du Plessis returned to open the innings with a cautious approach, but it was Abishek Porel who got Delhi off to a lively start, cracking a four off Bhuvneshwar Kumar and following it up with two sixes in the third over. On a surface where free-flowing strokeplay wasn’t easy, Porel’s aggression gave DC early momentum.
However, Josh Hazlewood quickly pulled things back, hitting the deck hard with a length ball that climbed on Porel, forcing an edge through to the keeper. Karun Nair soon followed, skying a big shot off Yash Dayal in the fifth over. Hazlewood continued to apply pressure, delivering another miserly over in the PowerPlay, taking his dot-ball count in the phase to a season-high 100. With an economy rate of 7.22—second only to RR’s Sandeep Sharma—the Australian not only stifled DC’s progress but also snatched the purple cap along the way.
Spin Squeeze Derails Delhi’s Momentum
RCB entered the middle overs with Faf du Plessis and Rahul, both struggling to find fluency, and the squeeze only tightened with spin operating from both ends. Suyash Sharma began with an over yielding just five singles, while Krunal Pandya expertly mixed his lengths and pace, conceding only six runs in his first over and making it difficult for the batters to attack. When Du Plessis eventually tried to break the shackles, he miscued a big shot straight to Virat Kohli at long-on, departing for a sluggish 22 off 26 balls.
Axar Patel came in at No.5 with hopes of countering the spin, but Rajat Patidar’s clever rotation of bowlers kept him guessing. Krunal even unleashed a sharp, skiddy bouncer clocked at over 119 kmph to surprise the DC captain. Swinging through the line proved ineffective, and Axar eventually had his middle stump uprooted by Hazlewood in the 14th over, dealing another major blow to Delhi. Suyash wrapped up his spell with a tidy 0 for 22, while Krunal ended with an economical 28 runs conceded in his full quota.
Stubbs Lifts DC Before Bhuvneshwar’s Late Strikes Clamp Down
Bhuvneshwar Kumar finally ended Rahul’s scratchy innings with a full delivery that was lofted straight to Jacob Bethell at long-off, dismissing him for a labored 41 off 39 balls. At 118 for 5 in the 17th over, DC brought in Ashutosh Sharma as their Impact Substitute, but Bhuvneshwar struck again immediately, deceiving Ashutosh with a slower ball that rattled his stumps. Despite the double setback, Tristan Stubbs and Vipraj Nigam revived the innings by taking the attack to Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, smashing 36 runs across two overs.
Nigam showcased his intent with an upper cut six over third man off Hazlewood, while Stubbs produced two audacious strokes against Dayal — a sublime straight drive for four followed by a cheeky reverse ramp for six off a low full toss. Just as DC seemed set for a late surge, Bhuvneshwar returned to put the brakes on, conceding only eight runs and picking up three wickets in his final two overs at the death. Delhi eventually closed their innings at 162 for 8.
Axar Strikes Twice to Stall RCB’s Flying Start
Virat Kohli and new opening partner Jacob Bethell got RCB off to a brisk start, taking Mitchell Starc for 15 runs in the second over. However, Axar Patel quickly pulled things back with a decisive double-wicket over. In a critical blow to RCB’s left-hand heavy top order, Bethell mistimed a pull to Karun Nair at deep backward square leg, and Devdutt Padikkal soon chopped one onto his stumps, both falling to Axar’s left-arm spin.
The troubles deepened when Rajat Patidar, RCB’s best player of spin, was run out following a mix-up with Kohli, thanks to Nair’s sharp direct hit. With Krunal Pandya joining Kohli at the crease, RCB limped to a modest PowerPlay score, losing momentum after their promising start.
Krunal, Kohli Battle Through Slow Phase Before Breaking Free
Vipraj Nigam leaked 12 runs in the seventh over, but after that, Krunal Pandya and Virat Kohli struggled to shift gears as RCB’s innings crawled toward the halfway mark. Despite a six from Krunal off Dushmantha Chameera, the over yielded just nine runs, sandwiched between two tight overs from Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep’s spell of three overs for just 16 runs kept the pressure firmly on RCB as the required rate steadily climbed.
The momentum finally swung RCB’s way in the 13th over when Krunal capitalized on Mukesh Kumar’s errors, smashing him for two sixes to bring the equation back within reach. Krunal then cleared extra cover with a towering six off a flighted delivery from Kuldeep and followed it up with a well-executed sweep for four against Axar Patel in the 15th over, bringing up his half-century in 38 balls and reviving RCB’s chase.
Kohli Departs, but Tim David Seals the Deal in Style
RCB entered the final five overs needing 49 runs off 30 balls, and Virat Kohli chipped away at the target by driving Starc for a four to bring it down to 38 off 24. Krunal Pandya once again capitalized on Mukesh Kumar’s offerings, smashing back-to-back boundaries, while Kohli reached his sixth fifty of the season.
Dushmantha Chameera attempted to spark some late drama by dismissing Kohli with a slower ball, caught at deep extra cover. However, Tim David stepped in and quashed any hopes of a DC comeback. Axar Patel turned to Mukesh for the penultimate over with 17 runs still to defend, saving Starc for a potential last-over thriller. But David had other ideas, dispatching Mukesh for 6, 4, 4, 4 in four balls to wrap up the chase with an over to spare.
What’s Next for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enjoy a five-day breather before they return to action, hosting Chennai Super Kings at home on May 3. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have little time to recover, with just a day’s rest before they take on Kolkata Knight Riders at home on April 29.
Read More: IPL 2025: RR vs GT – Preview, Prediction, Starting XI and Where To Watch The Match LIVE
FAQs
How did Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Delhi Capitals?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 163 with a six-wicket win, thanks to a crucial 119-run stand between Krunal Pandya and Virat Kohli after a poor PowerPlay.
What was the key turning point in RCB’s run chase against DC?
The 13th over proved pivotal as Krunal Pandya smashed two sixes off Mukesh Kumar, shifting momentum firmly in RCB’s favor.
How did RCB’s spinners impact the middle overs against Delhi Capitals?
RCB’s spin duo, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, choked DC’s scoring rate, restricting them to just 56/2 at 6.22 run rate compared to RCB’s 79/0 at 8.78.
Who finished the match for RCB after Virat Kohli’s dismissal?
Tim David sealed the victory with an explosive finish, hitting 6, 4, 4, 4 off Mukesh Kumar to chase down the target in the penultimate over.
When are RCB and DC playing their next matches?
RCB will next host CSK on May 3, while DC will face KKR at home after just a day’s rest on April 29.
