Match Summary:
- Match No: 24
- Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Date: April 10, 2025
- Result: Delhi Capitals won by 6 wickets
Match Overview
The 24th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 brought together two popular franchises—Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC)—in what turned out to be a high-intensity, rain-spiced thriller at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. DC chased down the target of 164 with ease, led by a magnificent innings from KL Rahul. This victory gave DC a historic milestone: four wins in a row for the first time in IPL history.
First Innings: RCB Batting Performance
Solid Start, Shaky Middle
RCB won the toss and elected to bat first, taking into consideration the unpredictable weather and pitch conditions. Openers got off to a steady start, but it was KL Rahul’s dropped catch early in the match (when DC was on 22/2) that haunted RCB.
From 80/1, RCB slipped to 90/4—a collapse that underlined their middle-order frailty. Despite having a power-packed lineup, poor shot selection and lack of adaptability led to a mediocre total of 163/7 in 20 overs.
Batting Highlights:
- KL Rahul: Although playing for DC, it’s important to note his fielding impact early in the game.
- Tim David: Showed great intent towards the end, injecting some much-needed runs.
- Jitesh Sharma & Patidar: Failed to convert their starts into substantial contributions.
Pitch Report & Conditions
The pitch at Chinnaswamy showed variable bounce and appeared two-paced, especially during the first innings. Initially, RCB found it difficult to time the ball, but once the dew set in and drizzle arrived, batting became significantly easier.
This change in condition played into DC's hands perfectly, allowing batters like KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs to build their innings and finish off in style.
Second Innings: DC's Chase
Powerplay Drama
DC began their chase on a shaky note:
- Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel were removed cheaply.
- Faf du Plessis fell early too, thanks to Yash Dayal.
- At 22/2, RCB had the upper hand, but they failed to capitalize.
KL Rahul’s Masterclass
This match will be remembered for KL Rahul's blistering 93 off 53 balls*. His innings had everything—calmness, aggression, strokeplay, and calculated risks. His partnership with Stubbs was the backbone of the DC innings.
Rahul initially took his time, building the innings in difficult conditions. However, post the 10th over and with drizzle setting in, Rahul unleashed a flurry of boundaries.
- Maximum Fours: KL Rahul hit the most boundaries in the match.
- Sixes: He also smashed four sixes, leading the six-hitting chart for this fixture.
Tristan Stubbs: The Perfect Partner
Stubbs supported Rahul with a brilliant 37* off 22. He rotated strike well and picked loose deliveries to the boundary. The duo shared an unbeaten 111-run stand, the highest for DC against RCB.
Bowling Analysis
RCB:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Best of the bowlers with 4-0-26-2. His powerplay spell was fiery.
- Suyash Sharma: Economical in the middle overs (4-0-25-1), showed maturity.
- Hazlewood: Leaked 40 runs in 3 overs. His 22-run over to Rahul shifted the game completely.
DC:
- Tight spells from Axar Patel and vipraj kept the pressure on during RCB's innings.
- Vipraj’s debut performance impressed with tight lines and fearless bowling.
Turning Points
- Dropped catch of KL Rahul at 5 – cost RCB the match.
- 22-run Hazlewood over – the moment momentum tilted completely.
- Stubbs’ 6 off Suyash – demoralized RCB bowlers during a critical phase.
Statistical Highlights
- KL Rahul’s 93* is 2nd highest individual score for DC vs RCB, behind Quinton de Kock’s 108 in 2016.
- DC's first time winning 4 consecutive matches in an IPL season.
- The 111* stand between Rahul and Stubbs is DC’s highest against RCB.
Awards
- Man of the Match: KL Rahul for his match-winning 93*
- Most Fours: KL Rahul (7 fours)
- Most Sixes: KL Rahul (6 sixes)
- Super Striker of the Match: Phil Salt for his impactful cameo with an outstanding strike rate of 217.65.
Fantasy Cricket Insights
Top Picks:
- KL Rahul: Obvious MVP. Earned maximum points.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Crucial early wickets.
- Tristan Stubbs: High strike-rate finish, great differential pick.
Betting Tips & Predictions (For informational purposes only)
- Winner: DC @ 2.10 (pre-match odds were great value)
- Top Batter: KL Rahul (boosted odds hit)
- Most Sixes: Stubbs and Rahul combined for more than RCB total
Final Thoughts
Royal Challengers Bengaluru once again failed to defend a par total at their home ground. Their inconsistent middle-order and inability to adapt to evolving conditions cost them the match.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals looked confident, calm, and classy—led from the front by KL Rahul. Their mix of youth (Stubbs) and experience (Bhuvi) clicked perfectly. This victory sends a strong message to the rest of the teams: DC are not just contenders—they are serious title challengers in IPL 2025.
Stay tuned to thegameplan.live for more match previews, post-match analysis, fantasy tips, and betting insights for IPL 2025.
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