The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their stellar away form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, securing a thrilling six-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This win marks their sixth consecutive triumph away from home, a historic feat that propels them to the top of the IPL standings.
The heroics of the match belonged to all-rounder Krunal Pandya, who smashed an unbeaten 73 off 47 deliveries, and the ever-reliable Virat Kohli, who contributed a composed 51 off 47 balls. Their crucial 119-run partnership for the fourth wicket rescued RCB from a precarious position and guided them to a well-deserved victory.
Chasing a target of 163 on a pitch that proved to be challenging for stroke-making, RCB stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 26 runs within the powerplay. However, the calm presence of Kohli, a master of run chases, steadied the ship. He found an able partner in Krunal, who initially took his time to settle before unleashing a flurry of boundaries and sixes that shifted the momentum decisively in RCB’s favor.
Krunal’s innings was a blend of resilience and explosive power. After a cautious start, he accelerated brilliantly, taking on the Delhi Capitals’ bowlers with authority. His clean strikes, including four towering sixes, injected much-needed impetus into the chase. Kohli, at the other end, played the perfect foil, rotating the strike and ensuring that the pressure never fully mounted on the incoming batsmen.
Speaking after the match, Krunal credited Kohli’s influence on his innings. “When Virat is there at the other end, it’s always quite easy. My first 20 balls were quite scratchy, but he kept pushing me, saying, ‘you’ll do it’,” Krunal revealed.
Earlier in the match, the RCB bowlers put up a disciplined performance to restrict Delhi Capitals to a manageable total of 162 for 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the attack with an impressive spell of 3 for 33, while Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma also chipped in with crucial wickets and economical spells.
Despite a brisk start from DC’s opener Abishek Porel (28 off 11), RCB managed to tighten the screws in the middle overs, thanks to some quality spin bowling from Krunal himself and Suyash Sharma. This control in the middle phase proved vital in preventing the home side from posting a more formidable total.
The victory not only extended RCB’s remarkable away winning streak but also saw them leapfrog their rivals to claim the top spot in the IPL 2025 points table. This dominant away form suggests a team brimming with confidence and adaptability, capable of performing under pressure in unfamiliar conditions.
Virat Kohli’s consistent form throughout the season has been a cornerstone of RCB’s success, and his anchoring innings once again proved his value to the team. Krunal Pandya’s emergence as a match-winner with both bat and ball adds another dimension to RCB’s already potent lineup.
With this win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have firmly established themselves as one of the frontrunners in IPL 2025. Their ability to perform consistently away from home, coupled with the brilliance of Kohli and the timely contributions from players like Krunal Pandya, makes them a formidable force to be reckoned with as the tournament progresses. The record-breaking sixth away win will undoubtedly boost their morale as they aim for their maiden IPL title.
