At a glance
- Delhi Capitals chase 176 to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 6 wickets in IPL match
- Tristan Stubbs unbeaten 60 anchors Delhi Capitals run chase under pressure
- David Miller late hitting seals dramatic Delhi Capitals victory at Chinnaswamy Stadium
The Delhi Capitals produced a nerveless chase under pressure to edge past the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets in a gripping encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With the target set at 176 runs, the visitors crossed the line off the penultimate ball in a contest that swayed dramatically from start to finish.
In a notable visual shift, Bengaluru took the field in their green kit as part of the franchise’s sustainability initiative, adding a distinctive backdrop to an already high-energy contest.
Delhi captain Axar Patel chose to field first, a decision that appeared shrewd as the surface offered early resistance. The ball gripped just enough to trouble batters, though Phil Salt refused to be contained.
The opener countered with authority, striking 63 from 38 balls and injecting early momentum into the Bengaluru innings. Virat Kohli began brightly but fell short of converting his start into a match-defining contribution.
View the full scorecard here.
Spin squeeze shifts momentum
Just when the home side looked set to accelerate, Delhi’s spin duo tightened the screws. Axar led from the front with control and guile, returning figures of 2 for 18 from his three-over spell, while Kuldeep Yadav complemented him effectively with 2 for 32 in four overs. Their combined effort halted Bengaluru’s surge and shifted the tempo of the innings.
A late push from Tim David, who scored 26 off 17 balls at a strike-rate above 150, added valuable runs, yet Delhi’s bowlers closed out strongly. T. Natarajan kept things tight at the death, conceding just 16 runs in two overs, while Lungi Ngidi mixed his variations well to finish with 2 for 39. The hosts were restricted to 175 for 8.
Delhi Capitals face early collapse
The chase began in chaotic fashion. Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a masterclass in swing bowling, dismantling the top order and leaving Delhi in early trouble. His incisive spell of 3 for 26 put the hosts firmly in control and set up a tense pursuit.
Amid the collapse, KL Rahul stepped in with composure and intent. On his birthday, he crafted a fluent 57 from 34 balls, striking at over 165 and finding the boundary with ease. His departure, however, reopened the contest at a crucial stage.
Delhi Capitals hold nerve
The responsibility then fell on Tristan Stubbs, who delivered a composed and measured knock. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten on 60 from 47 balls, pacing the chase with maturity and ensuring Delhi stayed within striking distance. Contributions from Axar, who added 26 off 19, provided support, but the game drifted into a high-pressure finish.
Delhi needed 15 runs from the final over as Romario Shepherd took the ball.What followed was a stunning finish. David Miller produced a burst of clean hitting, launching two sixes and a boundary in quick succession to swing the result decisively. His unbeaten 22 from just 10 balls at a strike-rate of 220 sealed a memorable victory.
Stubbs was named Player of the Match for an innings that combined calmness with control. His effort anchored the chase and highlighted his growing stature as a dependable middle-order presence, while Miller’s late fireworks ensured Delhi walked away with the points in dramatic fashion.
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