Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered their second win of the IPL 2023 season by defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by 23 runs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Chasing a target of 175, DC was restricted to 151 for 9 in 20 overs, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance by RCB.
How RCB posted a competitive total
RCB was put in to bat first by DC after winning the toss. The hosts got off to a steady start with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli adding 40 runs for the first wicket. However, DC struck back with two quick wickets as Mitchell Marsh removed du Plessis for 22 and Anrich Nortje dismissed Kohli for 18. RCB was in trouble at 55 for 3 when Mahipal Lomror was run out for 8.
However, RCB found their heroes in Glenn Maxwell and Wanindu Hasaranga, who joined forces to rebuild the innings. The duo added 87 runs for the fourth wicket in just 8.4 overs, with Maxwell playing the aggressor and Hasaranga playing the anchor. Maxwell smashed six fours and four sixes in his 42-ball 64, while Hasaranga scored a valuable 35 off 28 balls.
RCB lost some momentum towards the end as they lost four wickets in the last three overs. However, they still managed to post a challenging total of 174 for 6 in 20 overs. For DC, Nortje was the most successful bowler with two wickets for 29 runs.
How DC faltered in the chase
DC had a disastrous start to their chase as they lost both their openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan in the first over. Harshal Patel, who is the leading wicket-taker of the season, struck twice in his first over to reduce DC to 2 for 2. Steve Smith and Manish Pandey then tried to steady the ship with a 43-run stand for the third wicket.
However, RCB did not allow DC to get away as they kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. Kyle Jamieson broke the partnership by dismissing Smith for 21, while Mohammed Siraj got rid of Pandey for 28. DC was soon reduced to 86 for 6 in the 13th over as they lost Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, and Phil Salt in quick succession.
Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin gave some hope to DC with a fighting partnership of 49 runs for the seventh wicket. However, it was too little too late as RCB tightened its grip on the match. Patel was run out for a valiant 32 off 19 balls, while Ashwin was caught behind for 24 off 16 balls. DC eventually fell short of the target by 23 runs and finished at 151 for 9 in 20 overs.
For RCB, Patel was the star with the ball as he finished with three wickets for 26 runs. He was well supported by Jamieson, Siraj, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who took one wicket each.
What this result means for both teams
With this win, RCB moved up to the fourth spot on the points table with four points from five matches. They will next face Mumbai Indians on April 18 at the same venue. On the other hand, DC remained at the bottom of the table with zero points from five matches. They will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 17 in Delhi.
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