Srikar Bharat’s last-ball six wins RCB a thriller against Delhi
Thanks to a phenomenal knock by Srikar Bharat, Royal Challengers Bangalore have made it 2-0 against Delhi Capitals this season after beating the table-toppers by seven wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.
RCB chased down the 165-run target with seven wickets in hand to reach 20 points. Chennai Super Kings have 20 points too, but an improved net run rate has lifted them to the second spot, whereas Bangalore are placed third.
Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan got back into their usual groove in the powerplay, but Bangalore’s bowlers did a fine job of restricting the Capitals to 164/5.
Bharat, Maxwell go berserk
After a horrific start to the inning, Srikar Bharat and Glenn Maxwell were quick to rebuild the foundation. Virat Kohli departed for only four and Devdutt Padikkal returned to the hut on first-ball duck.
AB de Villiers played out of his skin, resorted to the rotation of strike until he departed for a 26-ball 26.
Maxwell proved once again why his presence in the RCB middle-order is vital. The Australian all-rounder spanked Delhi bowlers around the park for fun to bring up his sixth half-century of the season.
But primarily, it was KS Bharat who anchored the inning till the very end. With 15 needed in the last over, the match seemed evenly poised until five runs were needed on the last delivery.
With Avesh Khan bowling a juicy full toss, Bharat sent the ball over Axar Patel’s head to the long-on boundary for a six. This sent the stadium in a frenzy with skipper Kohli and other RCB teammates rushing to the ground in celebration.
The 28-year-old was awarded Man of the Match for his 78*. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, he said being calm on the wicket helped him take the team over the line.
“It was an incredible feeling to finish it off. Maxwell and I were communicating in the centre well,” Bharat said. “At any point, I wasn’t nervous at all. Tried to stay in the present and was looking for the opportunity in the last ball after the wide.”
Kohli rejoices beating Delhi again
Back in India, RCB clinched a narrow one-run wicket over Delhi Capitals. Bangalore edged past DC once again, but this time in the UAE leg of the tournament.
Captain Kohli hailed his men for making it 2-0 against Rishabh Pant’s side.
“Unbelievable. It was a game we had nothing to lose but still to lose early wickets and do well against a team at the top of the table is good. We’ve beaten them twice this season,” the Chase Master remarked. “We knew bowlers had potential to keep things under control. The way AB and KS first batted was good. And then the partnership between Maxi and KS was amazing.
