Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) extended their remarkable away form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, notching their sixth consecutive victory on the road. In a convincing performance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 27, RCB comprehensively defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets, successfully chasing down a target of 163 on a pitch that offered variable pace. This win marked a historic milestone for RCB, as they became the first team in the entire history of the IPL to record six consecutive away wins. The former finalists have now ascended to the top of the IPL 2025 points table, boasting an impressive record of seven wins from their ten matches played.
The standout performer for RCB in this encounter was Krunal Pandya, who played a key role with both bat and ball. After delivering an economical spell of left-arm spin, Krunal Pandya smashed an unbeaten 73 runs off just 47 deliveries, guiding his team to victory. Notably, this was Pandya's first score of fifty or more in the IPL since his debut season in 2016. Virat Kohli also continued his consistent form in run-chases, contributing an instrumental 51 runs off 47 balls, marking his fourth fifty-plus score in IPL 2025 while chasing a target.
After the match, Virat Kohli revealed wherever there is a chase, he keeps checking with the dugout if his team is on course, about his role et cetera. He also talked about how he operated the chase against DC. The batting maestro said that he ensured he keep on taking singles and doubles and combine it with occasional boundary while Krunal was taking DC bowlers to the cleaners.
"It was a top win, especially looking at the surface. This wicket played very differently to the other games. Whenever there is a chase on I keep checking with the dugout if we are on course, what is my role etc. Krunal.. today was his day. We were waiting for him to come into the tournament with the bat. Who are the bowlers to target. I try and ensure I don't stop my singles and doubles and combine with the occasional boundary," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
"This year you can't just come out and hit, you have to assess, understand the conditions and then plan accordingly. We have communicated beautifully as a team in the batting and that's the reason we have 7 wins out of 10. It's looking good for us. We have Romario (Shepherd) after Tim (David) as well for extra added power. That firepower at the back end definitely helps. Hazlewood and Bhuvi are world class bowlers. There's a reason why he has the Purple Cap on his head. Krunal bowled well too. Don't forget that Suyash can be the dark horse as well. He may not have got the wickets but he has been good," he added.
Looking ahead, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's next encounter will be against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3rd at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.