TV
Ardent fans in New Delhi wished for a grand Virat Kohli homecoming and a win for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). To their delight, both happened on a hot Sunday evening, though Krunal Pandya’s all-round heroics stood out, as RCB beat Delhi Capitals by six wickets to go on top of the IPL 2025 points table at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
On a two-paced pitch, RCB’s bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 3-33, Josh Hazlewood’s 2-36, and a stifling act by Krunal and Suyash Sharma combining for 1-50 in eight overs, restricted DC to a below-par 162/8, the lowest first innings total here in IPL since 2024. DC were in trouble at 108/4 in 15 overs before Tristan Stubbs’ quickfire 34 off 18 balls lifted them past the 160-mark.
DC had a blazing start, thanks to Abishek Porel’s 11-ball 28, showing sweet timing against Bhuvneshwar. But Hazlewood ended Porel’s blitz, and wickets kept tumbling as RCB’s bowlers tightened the screws. KL Rahul and Axar Patel attempted a rebuild, but Axar’s dismissal by Hazlewood derailed DC further. Bhuvneshwar struck again in the 17th over, dismissing Rahul and Ashutosh Sharma. Stubbs’ late hitting pushed DC to 162, but it was never going to be enough.
Early Wobble for RCB Before Pandya-Kohli Masterclass
In reply, RCB were rocked early, slipping to 26/3 with Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar falling cheaply. Axar Patel’s double strike and a direct hit from Karun Nair had Delhi believing.
However, Krunal Pandya shook off initial rustiness and, alongside Virat Kohli, stitched a calm but aggressive 119-run stand. While Kohli anchored, Pandya counter-attacked, smashing five fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 73 off 47 balls. Kohli hit his sixth fifty of the season with a measured 47-ball 51.
The duo carefully negotiated the power-play squeeze before breaking free after the halfway mark, with Pandya taking the attack to Mukesh Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav. Kohli rotated strike smartly, allowing Pandya to go big. Their partnership ensured RCB were firmly on course.
Tim David’s Finishing Touch Seals the Deal
After Kohli’s departure to Chameera for 51, Tim David came in and wasted no time. He smashed Mukesh Kumar for a six and a four, including taking full advantage of a no-ball, and finished off the chase with a slice and a heave to wrap up the game with nine balls to spare.
David’s cameo of 21 not out from just five balls ensured RCB maintained their unbeaten record in away games and run-chases this season, giving their fans in New Delhi a perfect evening.
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.
(With IANS Inputs)
