Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got the better of Delhi Capitals (DC) by 47 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in their IPL 2024 clash on May 12. This victory marks RCB's fifth consecutive win, keeping their playoff hopes alive. RCB set a challenging target of 187/9 thanks to a brilliant half-century from Rajat Patidar. The middle order played a crucial role, with valuable contributions from Cameron Green (32* off 24) earning him the Player of the Match award.
DC falter in the chase despite Axar's heroics
DC, sans Rishabh Pant, got off to a shaky start. Their gamble of using David Warner as an impact substitute backfired as he fell cheaply in the first over. The batting order continued to crumble throughout the powerplay, with a crucial turning point coming in the form of Jake Fraser-McGurk's unfortunate run-out. Stand-in skipper Axar Patel emerged as a lone warrior, scoring a valiant 57 runs. He found some support from Shai Hope (29 runs) in a brief partnership, but DC's chase ultimately faltered as they were bowled out for 140 runs.
Yash Dayal impressed with a three-wicket haul (3/20) for RCB, while the bowling attack as a whole displayed exceptional control. This dominant win propels RCB to fifth place in the points table, just ahead of DC in sixth. With this victory, RCB have set the stage for a highly anticipated clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 18th. This promises to be a high-octane encounter with both teams vying for a playoff spot.
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Axar Patel cracks whip at DC's fielding woes
Meanwhile, after the match, Axar Patel highlighted DC's fielding woes studded with dropped catches which cost them the game.
“Dropped catches hurt us. Could've restricted them to 150. When you lose four wickets in powerplay, you're always chasing the game. 160-170 would've been a par score. Pitch was two-paced. Some were skidding, some were holding. When your main players are run out and you lose four in powerplay, you're chasing the game. Anything can happen, but haven't thought that far ahead,” Axar said at the post-match presentation.
DC's fielding fiasco
Despite winning the toss and claiming early wickets, DC's fielding woes resurfaced in spectacular fashion against RCB. While they managed to dismiss RCB's openers, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, within the powerplay, a string of dropped catches handed the initiative back to the home side.
The nightmare began in the ninth over, bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. Both Axar Patel and Shai Hope spilled straightforward catches, leaving the Indian spinner visibly frustrated. The tenth over brought more misery as Tristan Stubbs missed a simple chance, offering Will Jacks a lifeline.
As if on cue, Delhi's stand-in skipper Axar Patel dropped another catch at cover, granting Rajat Patidar a second life. This was the third dropped catch in as many overs, leaving the Capitals' fielding in tatters. By the end of the 10th over, the home side had squandered a staggering four easy chances, turning the tide of the match.
Meanwhile, DC, who are sitting at sixth place in the standings, will take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 14.
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