Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made history in the IPL 2025 season by becoming the first team ever to secure six consecutive away victories. On Sunday, they triumphed over Delhi Capitals in a thrilling match, successfully chasing down a target of 163 runs. Despite an early wobble where they were reduced to 26 for 3, Virat Kohli (51) and Krunal Pandya (73 not out) put on a match-winning partnership, guiding RCB to a six-wicket victory at Feroz Shah Kotla and propelling them to the top of the IPL standings.
RCB’s exceptional away form has been a standout feature of their campaign this year, with six successive wins away from home, although they have struggled at their home ground with just one victory from four games. This remarkable feat saw them surpass Gujarat Titans at the summit, making a statement in the 18th edition of the T20 league.
The match saw Delhi’s bowlers, led by Axar Patel, strike early and reduce RCB to 26-3. However, Virat Kohli and Pandya steadied the ship, putting together a crucial 119-run partnership. Pandya, in particular, displayed power-hitting mastery, hitting five fours and four sixes as he raced to a match-winning knock. He reached his fifty off 38 balls, with his innings taking the game away from Delhi. Virat Kohli, who also made a half-century, now leads the race for the Orange Cap with 443 runs, surpassing Suryakumar Yadav as the top run-scorer.
Virat Kohli praised Pandya’s impact, acknowledging that it had been a matter of time before the all-rounder delivered such a performance with the bat. “Today was his day completely, and he was absolutely brilliant,” Virat Kohli said after the match. Pandya also impressed with the ball, taking 1-28 with his left-arm spin, earning him the Player of the Match award.
On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood shared five wickets between them, restricting Delhi to 162-8. In the chase, after the early setbacks, RCB’s batters found their rhythm, with Pandya’s aggressive hitting and Virat Kohli’s steady innings ensuring the target was achieved with nine balls to spare.
