Kohli and Pandya Lead Bengaluru to Thrilling Win Over Delhi

Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya star for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, propelling RCB to the top of the IPL table.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru surged to the top of the Indian Premier League table after a thrilling six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Chasing a target of 163, Bengaluru faced a rocky start, slipping to 26-3. However, Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya orchestrated a masterful comeback, forging a 119-run partnership that sealed the win with nine balls to spare.

Kohli showcased his signature big-match temperament, scoring 51 off 47 balls, while Krunal Pandya smashed an impressive 73 off 47 deliveries at a strike rate of 155.32. Their partnership turned the tide of the match in Bengaluru's favor. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's incisive spell earlier in the game played a crucial role in restricting Delhi to 162/8, setting the stage for Kohli and Pandya's heroics.

Delhi-born Virat Kohli scored 51, while Krunal Pandya smashed an unbeaten 73 off 47 balls, including five fours and four sixes, after taking 1-28 with his left-arm spin. This impressive performance led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their seventh win of the season, topping the 10-team table.

RCB's bowlers set up the victory, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-33) and Josh Hazlewood (2-36) sharing five wickets between them to restrict Delhi Capitals to 162-8. Kohli and Pandya then orchestrated a match-winning 119-run partnership, sealing the win with nine balls to spare.

This win marked Bengaluru's sixth successive away victory, as they edge closer to their first IPL title since the league's inception in 2008. With this win, RCB reached 14 points, putting them in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs.

Delhi skipper Axar Patel struck early, dismissing Jacob Bethel (12) and Devdutt Padikkal (0) in quick succession. Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar was run out for six, but Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya steadied the innings.

Pandya unleashed his power, reaching his fifty off 38 balls with a four off Axar. Kohli also reached a half-century, surpassing Suryakumar Yadav's tally to become the leading run-scorer of the season with 443 runs. Kohli fell to Dushmantha Chameera, but Pandya and Tim David finished the match with style, David hitting an unbeaten 19 off five balls.

Bengaluru's bowlers made a strong start, with Josh Hazlewood dismissing Abishek Porel in the fourth over. Despite a flying start, Delhi struggled, losing another wicket soon after. Faf du Plessis (22) and KL Rahul (41) steadied the innings, but Krunal Pandya's breakthrough ended Du Plessis' knock.

What a win for RCB! 💥

Fifties from Krunal Pandya and Virat Kohli power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory over DC at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Top chase, top performance! 🔥🏏 #IPL2025 #RCBvsDC @IPL @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/kj12nyIADi

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) April 27, 2025

KL Rahul stood firm on a sluggish pitch, forging crucial partnerships with Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs. However, Delhi's batting faltered after Rahul's dismissal, ultimately being restricted to 162/8.

Axar Patel fell to Josh Hazlewood, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed KL Rahul. Tristan Stubbs kept Delhi's scoring rate high, smashing 34 off 18 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished with impressive figures of 3-33, restricting runs in the death overs. Josh Hazlewood also excelled, leading the season's bowling chart with 18 wickets in 10 matches.