Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered an impressive 47-run win over Delhi Capitals to further boost their hopes for the IPL 2024 playoff qualification on Sunday. Rajat Patidar and pacers shine as Bengaluru easily defended 187 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium to jump to fifth position in the points table.
Bengaluru's resurgence continued with a big win over Delhi with the latter also chasing a playoff spot this season. Rishabh Pant-less Delhi slipped to sixth position after a heavy loss as Bengaluru boasts a comparatively impressive net run rate over Delhi and Lucknow who all share 12 points.
Faf du Plessis-led RCB face defending champions Chennai Super Kings in their last game at home on May 18 and a winner is very likely to reflect the playoff berths this season. Chennai are two points ahead of Bengaluru with a better net run rate but Bengaluru's recent form and home advantage make them favourites.
Virat Kohli gave RCB a flying start by smashing 27 runs off just 13 balls but was not able to convert it into a big innings. Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar put RCB on track for a big total by adding 88 runs for the third wicket with the latter scoring 52 off just 24 balls.
However, Delhi pacers made an impressive comeback in the closing overs to deny Bengaluru a 200-plus total. Khaleel Ahmed and Rasikh Salam picked two wickets each but spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav struggled to impress against RCB batters.
Delhi struggled for a positive start with the returning veteran David Warner departing in the very first over. Then pacer Yash Dayal dismissed dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel on the back-to-back deliveries in the third over and Mohammed Siraj removed youngster Kumar Kushagrain the following over.
However, Delhi managed to balance the game with Shai Hope and Axar Patel adding 56 runs for the fifth wicket with the required run rate being under control. Lockie Ferguson gave RCB a breakthrough with Hope's wicket in the tenth over and then the home team dominated the game.
Delhi batters struggled for meaningful partnerships in the last ten overs despite Axar Patel's quick fifty. Axar top-scored with 57 runs off 29 balls before falling to Yash Dayal in the 16th over. Dayal finished Delhi's innings with Kuldeep Yadav's wicket in the last over to boost RCB to a crucial win.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar (substituted by Swapnil Singh), Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal.
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel (wk), Shai Hope, Kumar Kushagra, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), Kuldeep Yadav, Rasikh Dar Salam, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed (substituted by David Warner).
