New Delhi: In a thrilling Match 46 of the IPL 2025 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) put up a clinical show to beat Delhi Capitals (DC) by 6 wickets, chasing down 162 with 9 balls remaining at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The contest, played at a vibrant venue filled with roaring fans, lived up to its hype, with intense moments, tactical battles, and a show of individual brilliance.
Also Read: IPL 2025 – Match 43: SRH Beats CSK by 5 Wickets with 8 Balls to Spare in High-Intensity Chase
Toss and Strategy: RCB Elects to Field
Winning the toss, Faf du Plessis had no hesitation in sending Delhi Capitals to bat first, banking on the freshness of the pitch and RCB’s proven chasing capabilities. The strategy paid off handsomely, as RCB’s bowlers set the tone early, applying pressure right from the opening overs.
First Innings: Delhi Capitals Struggle for Momentum — 162/8 (20 Overs)
Powerplay: Conservative Start
-
Prithvi Shaw and Jake Fraser-McGurk opened for DC but faced sharp swing and tight lines from Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley.
-
Fraser-McGurk tried to break free, hitting two elegant boundaries, but Shaw struggled and eventually fell for a low score after edging to slip.
Score after 6 overs: 43/1
Middle Overs: Building and Breaking
-
DC shifted gears slightly with Fraser-McGurk finding his rhythm, including a towering six off Maxwell.
-
However, consistent wickets hampered any real acceleration.
-
Yash Dayal’s slower balls proved deceptive, getting rid of the dangerous Fraser-McGurk (45 off 28) and later trapping Pant for 17.
Key Middle Phase Moments:
-
Glenn Maxwell bowled a brilliant spell, conceding just 22 runs in 4 overs and taking one key wicket.
-
The DC middle order, including Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel, tried late flourishes but were pegged back repeatedly.
Score after 15 overs: 112/5
Death Overs: Last-minute Push
-
In the final 5 overs, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav tried to launch an attack.
-
Mohammed Siraj’s brilliant penultimate over, conceding just 7 runs, ensured DC didn’t cross the 170 mark.
End of Innings: 162/8
Top Scorer: Jake Fraser-McGurk (45)
Best RCB Bowler: Mohammed Siraj (2/29)
Second Innings: RCB’s Classy Chase — 165/4 (18.3 Overs)
Powerplay: Dominant Start
-
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis oozed confidence, picking up boundaries in almost every over.
-
Kohli looked in sublime touch, driving beautifully through covers and sweeping the spinners with authority.
Score after 6 overs: 59/0
Middle Overs: Controlled Aggression
-
Faf fell trying to pull Anrich Nortje for 22 (17 balls), but Glenn Maxwell’s arrival maintained the momentum.
-
Maxwell played an explosive cameo: 36 off just 18 balls, including 3 sixes, putting DC bowlers under immense pressure.
-
Kohli reached his half-century in 39 balls, playing a perfect anchor’s role while punishing any loose deliveries.
Score after 12 overs: 112/2
The Finishing Act
-
Even though RCB lost quick wickets (Maxwell and Kohli), the depth in their batting order ensured calmness.
-
Dinesh Karthik, the designated finisher, played calculated strokes, while Mahipal Lomror chipped in with sensible running between the wickets.
-
Karthik struck the winning boundary, a crisp flick past midwicket, sealing the victory in the 19th over.
Final Score: 165/4 (18.3 overs)
Top RCB Batter: Virat Kohli (67 off 47 balls)
🔥 Critical Match Analysis
What Worked for RCB:
-
Early control: Disciplined powerplay bowling gave RCB the upper hand from ball one.
-
Kohli’s masterclass: Once again, Kohli proved why he’s the chase master — balancing aggression and patience perfectly.
-
Middle-order firepower: Maxwell’s aggression made sure that run-rate pressure never built up.
-
Fielding standards: RCB’s fielding, especially deep boundary saves and quick throws, were top-class, cutting at least 15-20 runs.
Where DC Fell Short:
-
Inconsistent batting: Despite good starts, none of the batsmen except Fraser-McGurk converted to a big score.
-
Death bowling woes: Missing Yorkers and offering width allowed RCB to finish early.
-
Pressure moments: Dropping Kohli at 34 cost them dearly, highlighting fielding lapses again.
📊 Full Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| DC | 162/8 | 20 |
| RCB | 165/4 | 18.3 |
✅ Result: RCB won by 6 wickets (9 balls remaining)
✅ Concluding Note IPL 2025- RCB vs DC:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win over Delhi Capitals underlines their growing strength at the business end of IPL 2025. With their top order firing and bowlers performing consistently, RCB fans can dare to dream this season. Meanwhile, DC must regroup quickly if they want to stay alive in the playoff race.
For upcoming match schedule visit: Official IPL Website – Match Centre
