5 factors behind RCB's fifth win in a row

Patidar, Jacks set it up

After losing both openers in the powerplay, Rajat Patidar and Will Jacks launched a counterattack against the Delhi Capitals’ bowlers. The duo added 88 runs for the third wicket, carrying Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 36/2 in 3.4 overs to 124/3 in 12.3 overs. 

Patidar scored his first IPL fifty in Bengaluru, scoring 52 off 32 balls. Jacks was out soon after for 41 off 29 balls. 

DC storm back

Delhi bowlers made a spirited comeback after breaking the Patidar-Jacks partnership. RCB scored only 63/6 from the remaining 45 balls after Patidar’s dismissal. The scoring became tough overall, with the ball sticking into the wicket. RCB scored 110/2 in the first 10 overs but managed only 77/7 in the second half of their innings. 

DC’s poor start with the bat

Delhi had the worst possible start to their chase of 188. They were reduced to 30/4 in the fourth over, with Jake Fraser-McGurk and David Warner back in the hut. Fraser-McGurk was out in the most unfortunate way possible, run out at the non-striker’s end with Yash Dayal deflecting Shai Hope’s straight drive onto the stumps. Delhi never recovered from that. 

Axar stands tall

The stand-in skipper, Axar Patel, was the lone warrior with the bat. DC were 90/6 in 11 overs when Tristan Stubbs suffered another poor run out at the non-striker’s end. Axar, 30 off 23 balls at this stage, attacked the spinners to hit three sixes and completed his half-century in 30 balls. His 40-run stand for the eighth wicket with Rasikh Dar gave Delhi hope. 

RCB strike back with the final blow

However, RCB took spin away from the attack after Axar reached his fifty. Their pacers followed the success mantra of the DC seamers - bowling cutters into the wicket. 

DC were once in the game needing 64 off 36 but slumped to lose their remaining four wickets for 16 runs. They were bowled out for 140 in 19.1 overs, with Yash Dayal picking 3/20. Cameron Green won the Player of the Match award for his 32* (24) with the bat and 1/19 with the ball. 

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.