Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a commanding six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 46th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, propelled by stellar performances from Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya.Â
The win, which saw RCB chase down 163 runs with nine balls to spare, vaulted them to the top of the IPL 2025 points table.
Virat Kohli, who scored a gritty 51 runs off 47 balls, forged a match-defining 119-run partnership with Krunal Pandya, who blasted an unbeaten 73 runs off 47 balls to steer RCB to victory. Pandya’s explosive knock was a turning point, with Kohli noting his teammate’s long-awaited batting breakthrough. Tim David sealed the chase with a flurry of boundaries, ensuring RCB’s dominance.
In the post-match presentation, Kohli reflected on the challenging conditions in Delhi and the team’s strategic approach in the run chase. He praised Pandya and talked about his method for approaching such chases.
"It was a top win, especially looking at the surface. This wicket played very differently to the other games. Whenever there is a chase on, I keep checking with the dugout if we are on course, what is my role, etc. Krunal.. today was his day. We were waiting for him to come into the tournament with the bat. Who are the bowlers to target. I try and ensure I don't stop my singles and doubles and combine with the occasional boundary," Kohli said in the post-match presentation after RCB’s win over DC.
Kohli also praised the team’s collective effort and depth, emphasizing their adaptability in a season where conditions demand careful planning.
"This year, you can't just come out and hit; you have to assess, understand the conditions and then plan accordingly. We have communicated beautifully as a team in the batting, and that's the reason we have 7 wins out of 10. It's looking good for us. We have Romario (Shepherd) after Tim (David) as well for extra added power. That firepower at the back end definitely helps."
"Hazlewood and Bhuvi are world-class bowlers. There's a reason why he has the Purple Cap on his head. Krunal bowled well too. Don't forget that Suyash can be the dark horse as well. He may not have got the wickets, but he has been good," Kohli concluded.
RCB’s bowling unit set the tone by restricting DC to 162 runs, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3 wickets for 33 runs) and Josh Hazlewood (2 wickets for 36 runs) leading the charge, supported by Pandya (1 wicket for 28 runs). DC’s innings relied on KL Rahul’s 41 runs off 39 balls and a late surge from Tristan Stubbs (34 runs off 18 balls), but regular wickets kept them in check.
RCB’s Performance in IPL 2025
Under Captain Rajat Patidar, RCB has now won seven of their ten matches, with their sixth consecutive away victory reflecting their dominance. Kohli’s sixth half-century of the season earned him the Orange Cap with 443 runs in his tally.
As RCB continues their quest for a maiden IPL title, their cohesive unit and strategic clarity position them as a dominant force.
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