source : BCCI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru surged to the top of the IPL 2025 table after a gritty six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, powered by a superb all-round show from Krunal Pandya and a steady half-century from Virat Kohli. On a slow, double-paced Delhi track, Krunal first tightened the screws with the ball and then played the innings of the match, remaining unbeaten on 73 to script a remarkable recovery from 26 for 3.
After Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood shared five wickets to keep DC to a below-par 162, RCB’s chase stumbled early. But Krunal and Kohli combined for a 119-run stand that first rebuilt, then accelerated, and finally sealed the win with nine balls to spare. Krunal, who was 17 off 21 at one point, shifted gears dramatically and clobbered 56 off his next 26 balls, neutralizing Delhi’s bowling threat.
Earlier, DC failed to capitalize on a quick start from Abishek Porel and a late cameo from Tristan Stubbs. The middle overs were bogged down by RCB’s disciplined spin, with Krunal and Suyash Sharma choking the flow of runs. Axar Patel fell at a crucial juncture, and even with Stubbs and Nigam scoring 36 across the 18th and 19th overs, Bhuvneshwar’s masterful final over ensured DC didn’t finish strong.
Kohli played anchor yet again with 51 off 47 balls, while Tim David polished off the chase in the 19th with a flurry of boundaries after Kohli’s dismissal. Despite a dropped catch from Porel that could’ve changed the game, Krunal’s dominance left DC with no way back.
