Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals IPL, 2025, Full Score Card

FOUR! Just the kind of end Royal Challengers Bengaluru were hoping for. 19 runs off the final over and they end at 163/7. Mukesh Kumar goes fuller than a length and outside off, Tim David carves it over covers for a four to close the innings.

Gets what he was searching for this time. A yorker, tailing back in, on middle and leg, Tim David clears his front leg out of the line and looks to jam it out but ekes out and inside edge that goes back to the keeper.

WIDE! Mukesh Kumar is struggling to find the right line and the length against Tim David! He goes short and down leg. Tim leaves it alone.

Tim David has called for a change of gloves. The reserve player from the RCB dugout comes out with a new pair and hands it over to David. Good to continue now.

WIDE! Full and going down leg, Tim David gives the bowler a charge and looks to flick but misses. KL Rahul does well to make a stop, diving to his left.

Much better from Mukesh Kumar. Goes very full, right in the blockhole but on leg, Tim David flicks it to mid-wicket.

SIX! Tim David is adding valuable runs towards the end. Fine little cameo this. Mukesh Kumar drops it short and over off, Tim David waits back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for six more. 13 runs off the over already.

Bangs the deck, on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Tim David miscues his pull to short fine leg.

SIX! A freebie served on a platter and Tim David sends it sailing. A juicy full toss, outside off, Tim David slices it over covers for a biggie. Royal Challengers Bengaluru get past 150-runs.

GIVEN WIDE but KL Rahul is certain that there was a nick and Delhi Capitals have sent it upstairs. Short and angling into the left shoulder of the batter, Tim David swivels back to pull but misses. The ball goes past the glove and KL Rahul takes a good catch to his left. The UltraEdge shows absolutely nothing as the ball passes the bat and the glove. Delhi Capitals lose the review. Stays a wide.

Not Starc, it is Mukesh Kumar (2-1-7-1) who will bowl the last over.

Landed outside off, on a length, slashed away to deep point for a single. 17 runs come off that over.

Axar goes full and around off and middle, Tim David cuts it to backward point.

SIX! That's a shot and a half! Floated full, on off, Tim David gets his front leg out and whips it over long off for another six off the over.

Keeps it wide outside off, on a length, Tim cuts hard but cannot get it past backward point this time.

FOUR! Precisely placed! A bit short again, over off, Tim David waits back and cuts it past backward point for four more runs. Just the kind of start to the over RCB needed.

SIX! BANG! Royal Challengers Bengaluru need many more of these from Tim David! Axar Patel comes back into the attack and drops the first one short, on middle, Tim rocks back and nails his pull wide of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Very full, on middle, Bhuvneshwar Kumar blocks.

Tossed up, on off, Tim David pushes it to cover for a single.

A wrong'un, on middle and leg, Bhuvneshwar Kumar works it to square leg for one.

Almost another one! Nigam bowls it short and on middle and off, getting the ball to stick to the surface and reach the batter slower than he was expecting. Bhuvneshwar Kumar chips it straight back to the bowler, but the ball dips in front of Nigam.

Full, on middle and off, Bhuvneshwar Kumar pushes it out.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket was certain to come, and it's Vipraj Nigam who gets his second. He bowls it wider outside off, fuller in length, Krunal Pandya plants his front leg out and looks to carve it through the off side but doesn't quite get under it. Ends up slicing it straight to backward point and Ashutosh Sharma takes a simple catch moving to his left.

Full and at the stumps, Tim David turns it to square leg.

Lovely ball that! Short and on off, turning away, with extra bounce to go past the outside edge as Tim looks to block.

Slides one full and outside off, Krunal Pandya reaches for it and cuts it to deep cover for one. Still no boundaries for RCB.

Serves the leg-break, on a shorter length and gets the ball to turn back in from middle and off, Tim David clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Floated full, on middle and off, Krunal Pandya works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Short and at the stumps, Tim David goes back in the crease and punches it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Full, on middle, Krunal Pandya whips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Nice tight over from Vipraj Nigam on return. Just 4 runs off it.

Fuller than a length and well outside off, Pandya reaches for it to cut and only gets an outside edge to short third.

Lands it on a nagging length and gets the ball to skid through quicker, outside off, Krunal Pandya looks to work it through the off side but gets beaten.

Floated full, on off, Tim punches it to deep cover for one.

Tossed up, on off, a bit of grip and turn away, Tim David goes deep in the crease to block.

Comes back into the attack and keeps it nice and full, on middle, Krunal Pandya taps it to long on for one.

At 87 kph, on a length, around off, David keeps it out to the off side.

Tim David walks in at number 8 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Skipper Rajat Patidar holes out now and Kuldeep Yadav gets his second wicket! Kuldeep Yadav continues to hold his length smartly and offers it on a fuller length, with a good bit of flight on it, on middle. Rajat Patidar gets in shape to slog it aerially, but is through the shot marginally early and ends up top-edging it, right above the keeper. KL Rahul takes it with absolute ease. Rajat Patidar departs on 25 (23). And now, RCB is in some serious trouble as they slip to 117/6.

Sliding across off, at 91.0 kph, on a length, Rajat Patidar swings for the hills and misses.

Length ball, on off, Krunal Pandya drags it along the ground to long on for a single.

FOUR! Much-needed for RCB! Landed too full, on the stumps, Krunal Pandya dances down the track and smashes it over the bowler's head for a cracking boundary.

Dishes out a full ball, on middle, Krunal Pandya hangs back and punches it back to the bowler.

At 131.5 kph, on off, Krunal Pandya pushes it to the left of mid off. The fielder swiftly dives to the left and intercepts the ball, restricting the batters to just one.

Short and on top of off, Krunal Pandya taps it out to the short cover region.

Full and on middle and leg, whipped away to deep square leg for a single.

Length ball, outside off, guided away to deep third for a single.

Too full outside off. Krunal jams down off the inside edge towards deep fine leg. Another couple of runs.

Oh, almost! Donovan Ferreira, the substitute fielder, almost plucked one out of thin air. A good try there! Slower bumper, on the bodyline, angling in. Krunal Pandya pulls it early, and just over Donovan Ferreira at mid-wicket, who leaps by sticking his right hand in the air. Gets some fingertips on it, while being airborne and parries it behind. A couple of runs taken, but full marks for the effort.

Strategic Break. RCB find themselves in a spot of bother with half their side back in the hut. The pitch, which initially seemed good for batting, has suddenly sprung to life for the bowlers, making run-scoring trickier. Skipper Rajat Patidar now carries the responsibility of anchoring the innings and ensuring RCB posts a competitive total. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have staged a remarkable comeback after Phil Salt’s early fireworks, seizing control of the game with disciplined bowling. With momentum on their side, DC will look to keep chipping away at wickets and restrict RCB to a modest score. Mukesh Kumar (1-1-0-1) comes back into the attack now.

A bit fuller, on off, at just 84.6 kph, Krunal Pandya lunges forward and drives to long off for a single.

Tossed-up delivery on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar works through mid-wicket for a single.

Length and turns away from off, Krunal punches through cover for a single.

Looped up full and just outside off. Krunal presses forward and smothers the spin.

Krunal Pandya walks in at number 7 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! An easy catch for KL Rahul and RCB have now lost half of their side! Kuldeep flights it up and drags back his length a bit. It lands, holds on the deck and then lifts off the deck a bit. Jitesh Sharma is early into his pull shot and is flummoxed by the excessive bounce. Goes through the shot tentatively and a top edge is found. The ball lobs to the left of the keeper. KL Rahul moves a bit to his left and snaffles a regulation catch. Kuldeep Yadav gets his first wicket. A scratchy inning for Jitesh Sharma comes to an end as he departs for 3 (11) and RCB are 102/5.

An appeal for LBW, but not given! KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav are quite convinced with the appeal and Axar Patel joins in the conversation as well. They challenge the on-field call. Nice and full, tossed up on the middle and off stump line. It lands and stays straight. Jitesh Sharma sits down to sweep it away, but plays over it and wears on the front pad. UltraEdges shows a flat line and the Ball Tracking saves Jitesh as the projection shows the ball to clipping the off stump on the umpire's call. NOT OUT! Delhi Capitals retain the review.

Nagging length, outside off, Jitesh leans back and cuts it square to deep backward point for a single.

Short and on top of middle, tucked across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Not convincingly played, but goes through the fence! Shortish, outside off, Rajat Patidar swings through, and gets it sliced aerially off the outer half of the bat, over backward point. The ball dribbles into the fence and beats the two converging fielders for a boundary. With that, the 100 is up for Royal Challengers Bengaluru!

Length, around off, punched to cover.

23 balls since the last boundaries! Full and on off, Jitesh Sharma drives in front of mid off and sets off for a quick single. Axar is quick to pick and throw at the bowler's end, as Jitesh had to run around Mohit Sharma to complete the run. However, a shy at the bowler's end saves Jitesh.

Shortish on off, Rajat Patidar punches through point for a single.

Another mixup, but averted! An attempted yorker on off, Jitesh Sharma bends and carves it straight to the point fielder. A slight miscommunication but Rajat Patidar gets safely back to the bowling end before the throw comes in.

Banged into the surface, short and around off, guided off the back foot to deep third for another single.

Around the stumps, on a length, around off, Jitesh Sharma guides it to deep third for a single.

Way too across off, a juicy full toss at 140.6 kph, but just inside the tramline, Jitesh Sharma swings and misses to connect.

Back of a length, on top of middle and leg, with some extra lift. Jitesh Sharma taps it onto the surface.

Speared fuller on off, Rajat Patidar flicks through mid on for a single.

Good length, at the stumps, Jitesh Sharma blocks. Incredible first over from Mohit Sharma. Just the two runs and a wicket off it.

Another bouncer but with real pace this time, over middle, Jitesh Sharma half-pulls as the ball zips through to go over his head. Jitesh Sharma has a discussion with Rajat Patidar to challenge the fair delivery call, but they decide against it.

Goes short and takes pace off, outside off, Jitesh Sharma lets it pass.

Jitesh Sharma is in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust, and things are going from bad to worse for the home side in no time. Every bowling change Axar Patel has made after the first 4 overs seems to be working wonders for Delhi Capitals. Mohit Sharma goes into the surface on a hard length and just outside off. Liam Livingstone shuffles across and throws absolutely everything at it as he looks for a big hoick across and only manages to get an outside edge that lobs straight to backward point. Ashutosh Sharma moves ahead a few steps and takes a simple running catch.

Back of a length, around off, Rajat Patidar slaps it to deep point for one.

Starts from over the wicket and lands it on a hard length, over off, Liam Livingstone looks to punch it straight but gets an outside edge towards deep third and picks up a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK. After 4 overs, RCB were looking unstoppable at 62/0, but what followed was the complete opposite as their momentum nosedived, with only 27 runs scored in the last five overs. They have lost their top three in no time and skipper Rajat Patidar, along with Liam Livingstone aim to form a recovery partnership together. Axar Patel has been smart in operating his bowlers and has reaped rewards from it. A couple of quick more wickets will see DC holding a complete upperhand. Here's Mohit Sharma into the attack for the first time now. He replaces Axar Patel.

End of another tidy over and Delhi Capitals have stemmed the flow of runs remarkably. Kuldeep Yadav gives the ball some air and keeps it full, just outside off, Rajat Patidar looks to slog sweep and gets beaten. KL Rahul collects the ball to his right and knocks the bails off quickly. He appeals for a stumping, but the umpire seems convinced that Rajat Patidar was within the crease.

Short again, over off, Rajat Patidar whips it well but Jake Fraser-McGurk cuts it off from deep mid-wicket sliding to his left. Keeps it to two.

Keeps it a bit short and on off, Liam Livingstone rocks back and taps it to cover for one.

Looped up a bit, full and on middle, Liam Livingstone offers a solid front foot block.

Goes full and on off, Rajat Patidar punches it to long on for a single.

Starts with a short one, on the pads, Liam Livingstone tucks it to deep square leg for one.

More spin. Kuldeep Yadav is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Vipraj Nigam.

Drags the length back, around off, Liam Livingstone backs away and cuts it through cover and point for a single to end the over.

Fuller and around off, driven off the front foot to long off for a single.

Full, on off and middle, Rajat Patidar taps it back to the bowler.

SIX! BANG! Axar Patel drops it way too short and on off, Rajat Patidar heaves it over mid-wicket for his first six of the game.

In the air, just away from the reach of Faf du Plessis! Fantastic effort nonetheless. Looped full, outside off, Rajat Patidar is way too early on his shot as he looks to carve it through the off side and ends up hitting it behind cover. Faf turns back and covers good ground, while keeping his eyes on the ball, and flings himself in a dive, but only manages to get some fingertips of the outstretched right hand. Two runs taken.

Full, on off, Rajat Patidar pushes it to cover.

Liam Livingstone is in at number 5. Also, a change in bowling as skipper Axar Patel returns to the attack. He is 2-0-25-0 so far, and replaces Mukesh Kumar.

OUT! CAUGHT! Royal Challengers Bengaluru are losing wickets in heaps, and Chinnaswamy is stunned to silence. Vipraj Nigam nicely tosses the ball up with a lot of revs on it and keeps it away from the batter's reach, outside off. Virat Kohli presses ahead and looks to power it through, but ends up slicing it in front of long off. Mitchell Starc moves ahead and takes a nice catch to see the back of Virat Kohli, who departs for 22 (14) and from being 61/0, RCB have slipped enormously to 74/3, with their top three blown away.

Drifting into middle and leg, on a nagging length, Rajat Patidar turns it to the square leg region and picks up a run.

Flatter in trajectory, full and on off, Virat Kohli eases it to long off for one.

SIX! Top drawer stuff! Looped full, on off, Virat Kohli plants his front leg ahead and clubs it over long on for a biggie.

A bit too full, around off, Rajat drives it to deep cover for a single and gets off the mark.

Tossed up, on off, Virat Kohli whips it to long off for one.

A wicket maiden to start with for Mukesh Kumar! Delhi Capitals pulls things brilliantly, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru end the Powerplay at 64/2. He bowls it slower and fuller, on middle and off, Rajat Patidar chips it in front off the bowler off the outer half of the bat.

This is some bowling! Welcomes the RCB skipper with a sharp bouncer that is angled into the left shoulder. Rajat Patidar ducks under it.

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar is in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mukesh Kumar makes a big impact! The pressure on Devdutt Padikkal was building, and one could sense it was coming. Kumar rolls his finger over the ball and keeps it a tad fuller than a length, on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal stands tall and looks to whip it across but is deceived by the lack of pace. Goes through the shot as his bottom hand comes off the handle and spoons it to mid on. Axar Patel moves across to his right and takes a good catch. Devdutt Padikkal's struggle in the middle comes to an end and RCB lose their second for 64 runs.

Three dots on a row. Short of a length and well outside off, Devdutt Padikkal tries to reach for it but gets beaten on the outside edge. A sluggish start from Devdutt Padikkal!

Keeps it tight, on a length, at the stumps, Devdutt Padikkal looks to tuck it across but is cramped in the crease and drops it down the deck.

Starts from over the wicket and angles it across, on a good length, on off, Devdutt Padikkal cuts it to cover.

Double change? Yes, Mukesh Kumar comes into the attack now.

A quicker one, at 97.8 kph, on off, on a length, Virat is quick to rock back and cuts it straight to the cover-point fielder. An excellent over, against the run of play by Vipraj Nigam. Just two off it.

Closer to the body, on middle and leg, Virat taps this full ball to the leg side.

A drag downer, on middle, Devdutt Padikkal hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A slider, across off, on a length, Devdutt cuts it off the back foot, to backward point.

A flipper, fuller and on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal tries to sweep it aerially, but only wears on the front pad.

Starts from over the stumps, on a length, drifting on the leg stump, Virat Kohli tucks across through square leg for a single.

Vipraj Nigam comes into the attack as the first bowling change.

Back of a length and shade outside off. Padikkal goes back and taps it towards cover.

WIDE! Flat and down leg, Devdutt Padikkal misses the flick. Wide called.

Devdutt Padikkal walks in at number 3 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

OUT! RUN OUT! What an unfortunate way to get out! Only a run out would have had Salt out, to be very fair with the way he was batting. A sad ending to his rollicking inning. Length, around off, Salt backs away and cuts it to extra cover and straightaway rushes off for a single. Virat Kohli too, runs a few steps forward, but then sends Salt back. Salt tries to retreat but slips on his way back to the batting end. Vipraj Nigam collects the ball and throws it on the bounce to the keeper, where KL Rahul whips the bails off, with Salt out by a country mile. He departs for 37 (17) and RCB lose their first one for 61 runs.

Length ball, drifting on the leg stump, Kohli nudges it to the square leg region for a single.

SIX! Glorious! Dropped right into the hitting arc of Kohli, full and on middle, Virat Kohli opens the off side by backing away and lofts it over cover for a cracking six.

Tossed up, fuller and on the stumps, Salt works it to the left of the cover region for a quick single.

Missed out! Outside off, length, Phil Salt swings and misses.

FOUR LEG BYES! This is the fastest team 50 this season! Back of a length, angling on the hips, Virat Kohli misses to glance it across, and the ball deflects off his thigh pad and runs to the deep fine leg fence. 30 runs come off this over.

Starc changes the angle and switches to around the stumps. Spears it on the pads, too full. Salt misses to flick and the ball ricochets off his front boot, and rolls to the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.

TOP EDGE, SIX! ALL THE WAY! Short and on the bodyline, Phil Salt swings for the hills, but top-edges it as the ball sails over the keeper for a six.

FOUR! Uppish, but goes to the ropes! And uh, oh! The siren echoes and the umpire signals for a No Ball as Mitchell Starc has overstepped! Fuller and across off, Phil Salt prods forward and drives a bit in the air, to the left of mid off. The fielder there dives and even gets his fingertips to the ball, but parries to the fence behind at long off. FREE HIT to follow...

FOUR! No half-measures! Fuller and angling on the pads, Phil Salt brings his bottom hand to play and heaves it to the right of mid on for a boundary.

FOUR! Dealing in boundaries, is Salt! Just outside off, fuller in length, Phil Salt swings through the line and slices it over point for a one-bounce boundary.

SIX! Gee, that's some quality shot from Salt! Starc lands right into the slot, on middle and leg, Phil Salt gets his bat properly under it, and tonks it over long on for a 79-meter six.

A yard behind full length, on off, punched down to long off for a single. 16 off Axar's first over then.

FOUR! Picks the gap nicely! Lands it on a length, outside off, Salt stands still and punches through covers for a boundary. Tristan Stubbs runs from long off to his left, but even his slide can't stop the ball.

SIX! He has picked the bones out of it! The first of the evening! Almost a half-tracker, aiming at the sticks. Phil Salt stays in his crease and pulls it behind deep square leg for a cracking six.

Dragged length, on middle, Kohli nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, on the stumps, tucked into the leg side.

FOUR! Skipper Axar is greeted with a boundary. A bit streaky, but Kohli will take it. Landed on a length, on middle, Virat Kohli backs away and tries to loft over covers, but gets a thickish outside edge and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.

Axar Patel brings himself into the attack from the other end.

A good rhythmic opening over from Starc! This time, he goes wide of off, too full, Phil Salt misses to carve it through the off side. First over done, RCB are 7/0.

Starc aims the stumps, at 142.3 kph, on a yard behind fuller length, Phil Salt drives it along the ground, but straight to cover.

On a good length, shaping in on off, Virat Kohli watchfully knocks it to the point region and steals a quick single. With that, Kohli too, is off the mark!

First runs off the bat! Back of a length, just outside off, slashed through cover-point for a single. Salt is off the mark.

FIVE WIDES! That has taken off like a flight! Banged into the surface, on the middle stump. Phil Salt sways away from the line and lets it sail over his head. KL Rahul leaps but the ball goes over him to the fence behind.

On target again, is Starc! This time, much closer to the body, on middle, inswinger, on a length, Phil Salt slashes hard at it, but inside edges onto the pads.

With a slip in place, Starc lands it right on the money! Hits the deck hard, with a tinge of an inward shape, on off, Phil Salt leans forward and drives it, but straight to mid off.

In all readiness for the action to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle and are followed by the openers of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt. Delhi Capitals are seen in a huddle before spreading out to take the field. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is at the top of his mark, ready to start the proceedings. Away we go!

Impact players nominated by Delhi Capitals - Abishek Porel, Darshan Nalkande, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi and Donovan Ferreira.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Faf du Plessis (In for Sameer Rizvi), Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar.

Impact players nominated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell and Swapnil Singh.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar, says they would have bowled first as well. Says the surface is pretty hard and expects to put on a good total on the board and restrict them while defending. On his captaincy, he says he always tries to back his instincts. Adds it is important to have that momentum going and win at home. Informs they are going unchanged.

The captain of Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel, says that they will bowl first and mentions that his finger feels better and he will try to bowl the entire 4 overs in this game. Says Faf du Plessis comes into the side replacing Sameer Rizvi. On the batting positions, with Faf coming back, Axar says KL Rahul will bat in the middle order. Talks about the role of spinners and mentions that he asks his spinners to go for wickets.

TOSS UPDATE - The coin flip lands in favor of Delhi Capitals and Axar Patel elects to BOWL first.

JUST IN - In a big blow to CSK's already shaky campaign, their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out due to an elbow injury for the remainder of the season. Gaikwad suffered that injury while batting against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. And to fulfill the captaincy duties, the 43-year-young MS Dhoni is back in the leadership role for the yellow brigade. MSD last led CSK back in 2023, with the finale being his last game as the leader of the franchise. Now, fans hope his Midas touch can reignite CSK’s fading campaign as they languish second-to-the-bottom of the points table with just a solitary win out of five games.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison is down in the middle for the pitch analysis, joined by Varun Aaron. Morrison starts by saying that there are a few clouds hovering around and says pitch number 7 is being used for this game. Mentions that the square boundaries are equidistant at 64 meters and the straight hit is 73 meters. Varun joins in and says there was a small passing drizzle earlier in the day, but the pitch is dry with a few patches of grass and states that heavy rollers were used, which could mean there will be plenty of runs.

With a lot of matchups and marquee battles, this could become another Chinnaswamy run-fest, where the high altitude, and short boundaries turn every ball into scoring potential. With the last ten encounters split evenly at 5-5, this rivalry remains perfectly poised. The toss is moments away, so don't go anywhere! Stay tuned.

Delhi Capitals have shaken off their underperforming tag this season, flourishing under Axar Patel's leadership with their revamped squad firing collectively. KL Rahul's remarkable consistency anchors the entire batting, while Mitchell Starc's searing pace and Kuldeep Yadav's craft make a lethal bowling duo. The mercurial Jake Fraser-McGurk continues his high-risk, high-reward approach at the top, yet to pay dividends but capable of changing games when in full flow. Their X-factor remains rookie leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam, whose bowling flair has surprised many. With Faf du Plessis' fitness under the cloud, this well-oiled DC unit appears ready to storm RCB's fortress.

RCB’s 44-44 win-loss record at home, and around 48% success rate tell a tale of equilibrium, yet the real drama lies in their quest to conquer their own den. But winning three games in their last five home outings signals a potential shift. The batting unit hums with synchronized precision as Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar have been the twin pillars of run production, while the supporting cast chips in with timely cameos. But the true revelation has been their bowling arsenal. Once viewed as their vulnerable underbelly, the attack led by has undergone a metamorphosis, with both pace and spin contingents conjuring match-defining spells.

Both sides have got a good early momentum this season, and are progressing on similar trajectories. It is 3v2 as RCB are flying high this season, sitting third with three wins from four matches. What makes their campaign even more impressive is that all three victories came in challenging away fixtures, against the big-3, proving their ability to conquer foreign fortresses. However, the one blemish on their otherwise stellar season came right here at home, highlighting their long-standing struggle to dominate at their beloved home ground. While DC, occupying the second spot, is the only team to be defeated this season, with three wins on the trot.

Hello, everyone! The Indian Premier League 2025 is heating up as we move into the third week, with every team fighting hard, and the competition now shifting into high gear. Tonight, the action shifts to the buzzing ‘Garden City’, Bengaluru, where the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium awaits a blockbuster clash between the home favorites, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the formidable Delhi Capitals. With a packed crowd, a pitch primed for runs, and two star-studded lineups eager to build on their momentum, this promises to be an unmissable showdown under the lights.

... MATCH DAY ...

Like a well-oiled machine gathering momentum, IPL 2025 is now in full swing with matches cascading thick and fast. The upper echelons of the points table are teeming with contenders on six points apiece, and two such teams charting similar courses are set for an electrifying collision. The hallowed grounds of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will once again buzz with excitement as Royal Challengers Bengaluru welcome the Delhi Capitals in what promises to be a spectacle to watch out for. The Capitals arrive as the tournament's lone unblemished side, boasting a perfect record of three victories from three outings. Meanwhile, RCB's campaign has suffered just a solitary setback against GT, but this season has unfurled a refreshing narrative for the RCB outfit. They have transformed into conquering heroes this IPL season, traveling across India to claim victories where few dared dream possible. Like knights of old seizing distant castles, they've embarked on a remarkable journey, defeating the ‘Holy Trinity’ of IPL cricket, - Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders - in their own backyard, teams who together boast an impressive thirteen championship trophies. First came the fall of Eden Gardens, KKR's proud home. Then they stormed the yellow fortress of Chepauk, where CSK rarely taste defeat. Their crowning achievement came at Wankhede Stadium, toppling the mighty Mumbai Indians to complete their sweep of cricket's most feared kingdoms. What makes their story even more interesting is that their only loss happened in their own backyard. Now these road warriors return to Chinnaswamy Stadium, hoping to defend their home with the same fighting spirit that made them so successful on their travels. Virat Kohli remains their consistent and steadfast leader in battle, forming a powerful opening duo with the explosive Phil Salt. Captain Rajat Patidar has grown stronger with the responsibility of leadership, with his bat speaking volumes with every match. And with Devdutt Padikkal too, finding his form again, their already strong middle order looks even more dangerous, with good depth. Once considered their nemesis, RCB's bowling arsenal has undergone a remarkable transformation this season. The pace department now stands tall with Josh Hazlewood spearheading the attack, his precision complemented perfectly by Bhuvneshwar Kumar's masterful swing, a formidable pairing that has kept batters watchful during the Powerplay. Add an improved Yash Dayal to the mix, and their pace stocks look healthier. Even more surprising has been their spin revival. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have effectively silenced pre-season doubts about their spin resources, weaving their magic through those middle overs when matches are often won and lost. Turning our attention to Delhi Capitals, the silent assassins of IPL 2025. Flying under the radar while toppling giants, this underestimated unit has quietly assembled an unblemished record. Under Axar Patel's astute leadership, this revamped Delhi squad has maintained perfect harmony with three wins from three outings. Their path, however, differs from RCB's road warriors. The Capitals have fortified their home base in Vizag with two commanding victories, while also demonstrating their away credentials by dismantling CSK in their own backyard at Chepauk, that too, without the services of Faf du Plessis. Despite their flawless run, Delhi Capitals face one glaring concern, their opening combination. Jake Fraser-McGurk, renowned for his explosive batting, has yet to convert his attacking reputation into meaningful contributions at the top. However, the batting unit finds stability through KL Rahul's composed presence and Axar Patel's all-round excellence, creating a solid foundation for power-hitters Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma to launch their fireworks in the later stages. On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc has emerged as their lethal weapon, already securing his place among the season's top five wicket-takers. Kuldeep Yadav and the supporting cast have delivered steady performances to round out a capable attack. History, however, presents an interesting challenge for the Capitals. Their last victory against RCB dates back to 2023, an encounter where Phil Salt, now ironically wearing RCB colors, claimed the man of the match award while representing Delhi. With the head-to-head ledger heavily favoring RCB at 19-11, this showdown offers DC the perfect opportunity to narrow that gap and continue their unbeaten march. As these two in-form teams prepare to cross swords at Chinnaswamy, cricket fans can expect a contest where recent momentum collides with historical dominance, creating the perfect recipe for an IPL classic.