DELHI CAPITULATES
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Srikar Bharat slammed a six off the last ball to gift his team a seven-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the IPL here on Friday. Bharat and the seasoned Glenn Maxwell were involved in an unbroken 111-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 10.3 overs to steer their side to a morale-boosting win ahead of the playoffs.
Bharat remained unbeaten on 78 (52b, 3x4, 4x6), and Maxwell scored yet another half-century remaining not out on 51 (33b, 8x4). Set to chase 165, Bangalore scored 166 for three but despite this result, the top three positions in the table remained intact with Delhi, followed by Chennai and Bangalore.
Bharat did his burgeoning reputation a world of good with an enterprising innings under extreme pressure. Maxwell, on the other hand, coped with the pressure well and coaxed the best out of his young partner in an enthralling association that stunned the mighty Delhi bowlers.
Earlier, Bangalore rallied to stop Delhi at 164 for five.
The table-topper frittered away a strong 88-run opening partnership provided by Shikhar Dhawan (43) and Prithvi Shaw (48) with the other batsmen unable to build on it. Shimron Hetmyer (29) hit two big sixes to go with two boundaries and ensured the Capitals go past the 150-mark after the batters appeared to struggle in the middle overs.
For RCB, Mohammed Siraj bowled well to finish with 2 for 25 from his four overs while Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dan Christian picked up a wicket each.
Dhawan and Shaw got the Capitals
off to a good start, adding 55 runs in the first six overs, without taking too many risks. While the left-handed Dhawan, who has been in good form, continued to play fluently, his opening partner came up with some fine shots too.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli chose to open the bowling with the offspin of Glenn Maxwell, who started with a wide. Dhawan showed his intent with a superb drive on the off-side to get Delhi moving.
The left-right combination of Dhawan and Shaw scored 88 runs in the first 10 overs, hitting some splendid shots on the way before the former fell to Harshal Patel when he gave a catch to Dan Christian.
BRIEF SCORES: Delhi Capitals 164/5 in 20 overs (P Shaw 48, S Dhawan 43) lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 166/3 in 20 overs (Srikar Bharat 78 not out, G Maxwell 51 not out)