Picture : Twitter / IPL
Indian cricket skipper superstar Virat Kohli’s wait for an IPL trophy continues . His team the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s campaign in season 12 of the IPL 2019 is almost over. RCB went down to the Delhi capitals by 16 runs on hot day at Delhi’s Feroz Shah kotla in a IPL encounter .
The Delhi Capitals batting first, were aggressive from the word go. Skipper Shreyas Iyer (52 off 37) and opener Shikhar Dhawan (50 off 37) helped Delhi post a daunting 187 for five .
Delhi were struggling at 141 for 5 before Rutherford (28 off 13 balls) and Patel (16 off 9) walked in to share a 46-run partnership with 20 runs coming off the last over. That proved costly for RCB at the end.
RCB bowlers bowled poorly at the end and their figures said it all. Umesh Yadav 1/ 39 ( 4 0vers) , Washington Sundar 1/ 29 ( 4 overs) normally tight Yuzvendra Chahal was smashed 2/ 41 ( 4 overs), Navdeep Saini 1/ 44 ( 4 overs) his last over went for 20.
It was Delhi’s eighth win in 12 games, giving them the 16 points needed to seal a top-four berth. Chennai Super Kings were the first team to quality for the play-offs.
In reply , RCB faltered after a quick start, RCB opener Parthiv Patel scored a rapid 39 off 20 balls. Skipper Virat Kohli fell for 23 off 17 balls. With AB de Villiers out for (17 off 19) and the RCB challenge was almost over.
Towards the end , Marcus Stoinis (32 not out off 24)and Gurkeerat Singh (27 off 19) made a valiant effort but the DC target was just too far. RCB death bowling once again cost them the match.
DC bowlers were outstanding Amit Mishra (2/29) , Axar Patel (1/26), Kagiso Rabada 2/ 31 ( 4 overs), Ishant Sharma 1/ 40 ( 4 overs), Sherfane Rutherford 1/ 6 ( 1 over)
