New Delhi: KL Rahul delivered a masterful unbeaten performance, scoring 93 runs off 53 balls, including seven fours and six sixes, while the bowling unit excelled, leading the Delhi Capitals to a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This win marks their fourth consecutive triumph in IPL 2025, keeping them as the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far.

In pursuit of a modest target of 164 on a pitch that favored traditional shot-making, Delhi Capitals were guided by Rahul's exquisite batting and impeccable shot selection.

After restricting RCB to 163 runs for the loss of seven wickets on a slower surface, DC entered the chase with a clear strategy to accumulate runs while conditions remained favorable.

Their aggressive tactics nearly backfired as the top three batsmen—Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Abhishek Porel—fell while attempting to hit the ball aggressively. Even Rahul, known for his technical prowess, nearly lost his wicket to a wild swing off Yash Dayal, but RCB captain Rajat Patidar failed to capitalize on a challenging catch.

Nevertheless, Rahul quickly recalibrated his approach, returning to his elegant, textbook strokes. The Powerplay concluded with a modest score of 39 for three, but with the required run rate not being a significant concern, Rahul had ample time to stabilize the innings. He partnered first with captain Axar Patel (15) and then with Tristian Stubbs (38 not out off 23 balls), forming an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 111 runs. Rahul reached his half-century in 37 balls and seamlessly accelerated the scoring in the 15th over as rain threatened to complicate the situation.

In a pivotal over from Josh Hazlewood, RCB conceded 22 runs, which included three boundaries and a six, signaling a troubling trend for the team. With the required run rate under control, Rahul showcased his complete batting repertoire, executing pulls, lofted drives, and reverse hits that captivated the audience and guided his team to victory.

Earlier in the match, DC executed a strategic chokehold on the highly regarded RCB lineup, witnessing the hosts transition from achieving the fastest team fifty of the season in just 19 balls to being restricted to a disappointing total. The only notable moment in their batting came from opener Phil Salt, who aggressively targeted Mitchell Starc in the third over, amassing 30 runs.

Salt's run-out, resulting from a miscommunication with Virat Kohli, allowed DC to regain momentum. The turning point began with leg spinner Vipraj Nigam delivering a two-run fifth over, followed by pacer Mukesh Kumar who concluded the powerplay with a maiden over that included a wicket. Nigam then dismissed Kohli in the seventh over, further diminishing RCB's innings.

DC's bowlers effectively utilized the pitch conditions, maintaining optimal pace and length. Mukesh and Mohit Sharma challenged the batsmen with their skiddy bounce and clever variations, while the spinners bowled with precision, allowing the ball to grip and turn.

In the ten overs following Salt's onslaught against Starc, RCB's batters could only muster 52 runs. As the innings progressed, the wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav and Nigam became increasingly difficult for RCB to handle. With exceptional control, the duo outsmarted the batsmen both in the air and off the pitch, taking four wickets for just 35 runs in their eight overs.

Tim David's quickfire 37 runs off 20 balls helped RCB surpass the 160-run threshold, but as later demonstrated by Rahul, it was far from sufficient.

Read Also: The End of the Line: Nakamura Floors Arjun in Freestyle Fight

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!