RCB vs DC: What Experts Said after KS Bharat's 'marvellous' knock hands RCB a last-ball win

The Indian Premier League unveils some nail-biting encounters and the clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals in Dubai on Friday was one of the instances of the same. 

RCB needed six off the last delivery when Avesh Khan first bowled a wide going down the leg and then a full toss which was deposited into the stands by KS Bharat for a maximum to take his team over the line. 

The Bangalore team was handed a target of 165 runs in 20 overs and the Virat Kohli-led side had a disappointing start to the chase as they lost Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli early in the innings. 

Bharat who had come in at number three was then joined by AB de Villiers and the two batters put 49 runs for the third wicket before de Villiers was sent back in the hut for a run-a-ball 26 by Axar Patel. 

Later, Glenn Maxwell came in the middle and the Australian along with Bharat stitched a match-winning and unbeaten stand of 111 runs for the fourth wicket. While Bharat struck an unbeaten 76 off 52, Maxwell remained not out for a 33-ball 51 during the course as RCB ended with nine wins and 18 points under their belt. 

Earlier, DC were off to a flying start as openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan scored 88 for the first wicket. But Dhawan’s departure saw a couple of wickets falling at regular intervals and Delhi were reduced to 108/3. It was Shimron Hetmyer who chipped in with a cameo and scored 29 off 22 to help his side put 164/5 in 20 overs on the board. 

Siraj picked up two wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs for RCB. 

RCB skipper Virat Kohli acknowledged that winning the game after losing some early wickets feels good. “Unbelievable game. We had nothing to lose, but it was a competitive game which is always the case in the IPL. To lose wickets and to still beat the team at the top of the table feels good.We have beaten them twice now. The way AB batted in the beginning and then with KS (Bharat) and Maxwell in the end was unbelievable,” he said in the post-match presentation. 

DC captain Rishabh Pant put the onus of the defeat on poor fielding. “The way we fielded today, we deserved to lose. We all know how important catching is in the shortest format of the game. We lost too many wickets while batting and that is where we lost the plot. Not feeling really happy as we have to win these kind of matches,” he said. 

Experts’ Opinion

Journalist Ayaz Memon lauded RCB’s ‘great effort’ to beat table-toppers. “Great effort by RCB to beat table toppers DC in their last league match. Doesn’t alter position in points table, but gives good momentum heading into play-offs,” he tweeted. 

Former India bowler RP Singh lavished praise on Bharat for the way he stitched his innings and won the game for RCB. “Never seen Kohli so happy after a win in IPL ! Well played Bharat. This innings is going to be remembered for a long time,” RP wrote on Twitter. 

Former India player Irfan Pathan praised Bharat for his marvellous match-winning knock. “Enjoyed watching this marvellous match winning inning from Bharat,” Irfan tweeted. 

Delhi Capitals will now play CSK in first qualifier in Dubai on Sunday while RCB will lock horns with KKR on Monday in Sharjah.