Pandya’s Heroics Lead RCB to Victory in a Thrilling DC vs RCB Clash

In what turned out to be a thrilling encounter between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, RCB turned the tables in a game that seemed set to go either way. The match showcased a fascinating reversal of fortunes from earlier in the season when DC had triumphed in Bengaluru.

RCB’s spin bowling coach, Malolan Rangarajan, had hinted before the match that RCB would feel at home at the Kotla, with its shorter boundaries. Last season, the stadium had recorded the highest average first-innings total (235), while RCB's home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, ranked fourth with an average of 197. However, this season, the approach to batting seemed to have shifted, as both teams had to display patience in the dry conditions.

A Role Reversal

The match played out like a mirror image of the earlier clash in Bengaluru. In that encounter, DC restricted RCB to just 163, with spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam doing the bulk of the damage. DC then stumbled to 30/3 in their chase, but KL Rahul’s composed 93* off 53 balls, along with a solid partnership with Tristan Stubbs, took DC home comfortably. On April 27, however, it was RCB's turn to return the favor.

RCB bowled DC out for 162, thanks to excellent spells from Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, while their pacers chipped in regularly. But the real showstopper was Krunal Pandya, who stood tall amidst the early chaos of RCB's chase. After a poor start where RCB found themselves at 26/3, Pandya’s explosive knock of 73 off 47 balls turned the tide.

Pandya’s Impact: Both Pace and Spin

The dry wicket at the Arun Jaitley Stadium made batting against spin a challenge, but Pandya rose to the occasion, excelling against both pace and spin. While DC managed 50 off 48 balls against spin, RCB managed a slightly better 57 off 55 balls at a strike rate of 103.64. However, the real difference came when the fast bowlers came into the attack.

DC had a good outing against pace, scoring 108 runs off 73 balls at a strike rate of 147.94, but RCB were far more dominant. They scored 104 runs off just 58 balls at a blistering strike rate of 179.31. Pandya was the backbone of RCB’s counterattack, amassing 44 runs off 24 balls against the quick bowlers at a strike rate of 183.33. But he didn’t stop there; against spin, he also scored 29 off 23 at a solid strike rate of 126.08.

Turning the Tide

RCB’s chase started slow. By the halfway point, RCB had only managed 64 runs, with Virat Kohli struggling at 28 off 29 balls. Pandya, who had accumulated 17 off 21 balls, was also taking his time. But once the pacers came back into the attack, Pandya shifted gears. A six over midwicket off Dushmantha Chameera in the 11th over was the signal of intent. He continued to attack, hitting Mukesh Kumar for two more sixes in the 13th over, and brought up a 38-ball half-century in style.

Pandya’s brilliance set the stage for a solid partnership with Kohli, who supported him with a composed 51 off 47 balls. As the target came down to 17 runs in the last two overs, Tim David provided the finishing touch with a six and three fours off Mukesh Kumar, sealing the win with nine balls to spare.

Kohli and Bobat Praise Pandya’s Knock

In the post-match interviews, both Virat Kohli and RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, lauded Pandya’s match-winning performance. Kohli highlighted the tough conditions at the Kotla and emphasized how Pandya's counter-attack had turned the game. "He was outstanding today with the bat," Kohli said, acknowledging Pandya's crucial role in RCB's victory.

Bobat also echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of RCB’s depth in batting, which had been carefully planned during the auction. "One of the things we wanted to do at the auction was make sure that we had batting depth. Today was Krunal’s opportunity, and he took it brilliantly," said Bobat.

RCB's Winning Formula

RCB’s victory over DC was more than just about one individual. It showcased the team’s resilience and depth. Despite their early stutter in the chase, RCB's batters, led by Pandya, turned the game around with calmness and aggression when it mattered. The presence of players like Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd in the dugout gives RCB the luxury of firepower, but it was Pandya’s timely knock that proved to be the game-changer.

The win also extended RCB’s flawless away record in 2025, and with players like Pandya stepping up, RCB's championship aspirations are only looking stronger.

Conclusion: Krunal Pandya’s stellar performance was the key highlight in RCB’s thrilling win against DC. His ability to shift gears and dominate both spin and pace was crucial in turning a shaky chase into a comfortable victory. With such depth in their squad, RCB's chances for the season look promising. This victory is a testament to their balanced approach, as the team continues to showcase its potential in the 2025 IPL.