By Bhuvneshwar Kumar Bowls Well but RCB Lose to DC
Match 24 of IPL 2025 brought disappointment for the home crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fell short against the in-form Delhi Capitals (DC). Despite a spirited and disciplined bowling effort from veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB couldn’t overcome their batting collapse and fielding lapses, resulting in a six-wicket defeat. Delhi Capitals, led by a masterful knock from KL Rahul, continued their unbeaten run in the tournament, consolidating their position at the top of the points table.
RCB’s Innings: A Promising Start Undone
RCB got off to a blazing start after being put in to bat. Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli came out with intent, lighting up the powerplay with a flurry of boundaries. The duo added 61 runs in just 24 balls, thrilling the Bengaluru fans and laying what seemed to be a solid foundation for a big total.
Phil Salt was particularly aggressive, hammering a quickfire 37 off just 17 balls, including a 24-run over against Mitchell Starc that had the stadium roaring. However, a sudden miscommunication between the openers led to Salt’s unfortunate run-out — a moment that shifted the momentum entirely.
What followed was a familiar collapse. RCB’s middle order, which has been under scrutiny throughout the season, once again failed to fire. Kuldeep Yadav (2/17) and the young left-arm spinner Vipraj Nigam (2/18) exploited the pressure brilliantly, drying up the runs and picking up wickets at crucial intervals.
From 61/0, RCB stumbled to 163/7 by the end of their innings — a total that seemed underwhelming considering the explosive start and the nature of the pitch.
GAME ON 👊
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2025
Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar combine to dismiss both openers 💪#DC 21/2 after 3 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/h5Vb7sp2Z6#TATAIPL | #RCBvDC | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/J7jwNVp7MM
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Class on Display
RCB’s hopes hinged on their bowling attack defending the modest total, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar rose to the occasion. With pinpoint accuracy and sharp swing, he delivered an exceptional spell that pegged back the Delhi Capitals in the powerplay.
To begin with, he struck early, removing both openers and keeping the run rate in check. His figures stood out in an otherwise lackluster bowling display from RCB. However, he received little support from the other end. Moreover, fielding errors compounded the team’s troubles — none more costly than the dropped catch of KL Rahul when he was on just 5 runs.
Ultimately, that missed opportunity would prove to be pivotal.
KL Rahul’s Unbeaten 93 Anchors DC’s Chase
Facing a tricky situation at 30/3, DC needed a calm head — and KL Rahul delivered in style. The experienced opener displayed composure and class, building his innings methodically before opening up later. His 93* off 53 deliveries was a batting masterclass, filled with timing, placement, and controlled aggression.
In addition, partnering with the in-form Tristan Stubbs (38*), Rahul stitched together an unbeaten 111-run stand that completely took the game away from RCB. Stubbs played the perfect second fiddle, rotating the strike and hitting the occasional boundary to maintain the momentum.
Rahul’s ability to absorb pressure and pace his innings perfectly was the standout feature of the match. As a result, he ensured there were no hiccups in the chase and brought up the winning runs with 13 balls to spare. Unsurprisingly, he was named Player of the Match.
What This Means for Both Teams
With this comprehensive victory, Delhi Capitals continue to dominate the 2025 IPL season. They’ve emerged as one of the most balanced sides, boasting both depth in batting and variety in their bowling attack.
RCB, on the other hand, find themselves in a tough spot. Their over-reliance on the top order and frequent middle-order collapses remain major concerns. Additionally, poor fielding — highlighted by crucial dropped catches — continues to cost them dearly. The team management will need to rethink their combinations and address these vulnerabilities quickly if they want to stay in playoff contention.
Follow us on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cricbolofficial?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricbolofficial/
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/cricbol
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuzzillaOfficial/
