KL Rahul returns to his house floor in Bengaluru in sensational model, smashing an unbeaten 53-ball 93 to dig his facet out of a gap.
Ranging from Smriti Mandhana and Co within the Ladies’s Premier League, to 2 matches into the Indian Premier League season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru haven’t but gained a match on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. After a former participant in Mohammed Siraj ran by them within the earlier fixture when Gujarat Titans gained, it was one other one among their very own in KL Rahul on Thursday as Delhi Capitals gained their fourth straight sport, chasing down 164 in 17.5 overs. The outcome meant that DC continued their excellent begin to the season with 4 wins in 4, whereas RCB lose each their first two matches at house.
KL Rahul masterclass
After he hit the profitable six, KL Rahul took his helmet off, drew a circle on the bottom along with his bat, planted it within the center to mark his territory and, as he went to embrace Tristan Stubbs, mouthed the phrases: ‘That is my floor.’
It was a robust show of emotion from the often reserved Rahul, and it marked back-to-back match-winning knocks whilst he continued to maneuver across the batting order. At his house floor, he placed on an absolute masterclass of batting to information DC to a formidable win on what was largely a tough evening to bat on. Having walked out to bat within the third over at No 4 with DC in early hassle – and after opening within the earlier match – Rahul as soon as once more confirmed why he’s Mr. Versatile in Indian cricket. He bought going with a pleasant off-drive for 4 off Bhuvneshwar Kumar however was quickly provided a reprieve when a hoick – one of many uncommon mishit pictures off his bat – was put down by a diving Rajat Patidar. With Axar Patel too departing, Rahul dropped the anchor for a bit to make sure DC didn’t lose too many wickets.
Recreation-changer KL Rahul’s match-winning knock of 93*(53) 🔥
🎥 🔽 WATCH the scintillating innings #TATAIPL | #RCBvDC | @DelhiCapitals | @klrahul
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2025
Within the twelfth and thirteenth over, Rahul determined to shift gears. An outstanding slog sweep off a size ball from Krunal Pandya went for six over sq. leg. And as Liam Livingstone got here on to bowl the thirteenth, Rahul recognized a gap once more. A rank brief ball was positioned completely between deep midwicket and lengthy on for a 4, then got here a sublime dance-down-the-track lofted shot that cleared the sight-screen. With 13 runs off Krunal’s over and 14 off Livingstone’s, DC lastly had momentum within the chase. The required fee after that was precisely 10 runs-per-over.
Then got here the game-changing fifteenth over. Patidar went to Josh Hazlewood, and the bottom workers bought able to carry the covers on because it began to drizzle. The DLS par rating was 107 and DC have been on 99. Rahul then smashed Hazlewood across the park with laser-like precision – two fours by sq. on the leg facet, one behind sq. on the offside, and a six down the bottom. It was a 22-run over that pushed DC to 121/4, now 6 runs above par. Identical to that, the pendulum swung DC’s means. From there, Rahul and Stubbs didn’t take the foot off the pedal to complete the match with 13 balls to spare.
“It was a barely tough wicket, however what helped me was being behind the stumps for 20 overs and simply watching how the wicket performed,” Rahul mentioned. “The ball sat within the pitch a bit bit, but it surely was constant all through; it wasn’t two-paced. I knew what my scoring pockets have been. Acquired fortunate with the dropped catch. However yeah, that is my floor, that is my house. I do know this higher than anyone else.”
One freak powerplay over
Throughout each innings mixed, in 12 overs of powerplay bowling, there was one freak sequence of six balls from Mitch Starc that went for a whopping 30 runs. The remaining 11 overs noticed a complete of 73 runs and 5 wickets, together with a wicket maiden from Mukesh Kumar for DC to shut out RCB’s powerplay. Starc, on his return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium on the IPL, has had a superb begin to the season, trying largely in nice rhythm. However Phil Salt unleashed his fury on the Aussie fast. First ball of the third over, Salt went over lengthy on for a 79m six. Starc caught to the same full size however went wider, and Salt sliced it over level for 4. Maybe nonetheless hoping for swing, Starc continued to err on the fuller facet, and there was one other boundary previous mid-on. A no ball subsequent up, which was squeezed previous mid off. Then as Salt swung arduous at a free hit, the highest edge carried all the way in which behind the stumps. All Starc may handle was a wry smile as he returned to his mark. However, issues have been about to show in DC’s favour.
Phil Salt went BOOM on Starc! 🔥
A large 30-run over for #RCB earlier than #DC make a comeback with 2 wickets!
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Run out triggers collapse
That 30-run over off Starc took RCB to a surprising 53/0 after 3 overs. Simply when it seemed like RCB have been laying the inspiration for an enormous rating, within the very subsequent over, Salt needed to march again. Having tapped the ball in the direction of cowl, each Salt and Virat Kohli took for a single however have been responsible of ball-watching earlier than calling it off too late. As Salt turned again, he misplaced his footing and slipped on the pitch. By the point he recovered, Vipraj Nigam’s throw was collected cleanly by Rahul and the bails have been whipped off. It was an ill-judged run by Salt to start with and Kohli’s hesitancy didn’t assist both. From there, RCB misplaced their means. Devdutt Padikkal fell inside the powerplay, and Kohli fell instantly after. After that Starc over, RCB managed simply 38 runs within the subsequent 7 overs, shedding 4 wickets. Tim David did his bit with an outstanding late cameo as soon as extra, however 163 turned out to be properly brief.
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Temporary Scores: RCB 163/7 (P Salt 37, T David 37 not out; Okay Yadav 2/18, Vipraj Nigam 2/18) misplaced to DC 169/4 (KL Rahul 93 not out, T Stubbs 38 not out) by six wickets.