Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will look to consolidate their strong start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season as they take on the in-form Delhi Capitals (DC) in a blockbuster encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.
The spotlight, as always, will be on Virat Kohli — the heartbeat of RCB — who has been in sublime touch this season. The former India captain has already piled up 167 runs from four matches at an impressive average of 54.66 and a strike rate of 143.85. Kohli’s mastery at the Chinnaswamy is well-documented, with over 3,000 IPL runs at this venue alone, making him a formidable presence at the top of the order.
RCB currently sit third on the points table with three wins from four matches. They head into this fixture on the back of a thrilling 12-run win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. Batting first, RCB posted a commanding 221/5, thanks to contributions from Kohli (67 off 42), Rajat Patidar (64 off 32), and Jitesh Sharma (40* off 19). Their bowlers then held their nerve, with Krunal Pandya’s four-wicket haul proving decisive.
The Bengaluru outfit, long criticised for its over-reliance on batting, seems to have found balance this season. Josh Hazlewood has been a standout performer with the ball, taking 8 wickets in four games at an economy of 7.76. Yash Dayal and Krunal Pandya have chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience has brought much-needed control with the new ball.
On the other side, Delhi have looked clinical, winning four of their five matches and occupying the top spot. In their most recent outing, they overcame Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs at Chepauk — a venue historically tough for visiting sides. KL Rahul led the way with a composed 77 off 51 balls, while Mitchell Starc continued his wicket-taking spree, claiming his ninth scalp of the season.
DC’s middle order, comprising Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, and Axar Patel, has been consistent in providing solidity and acceleration when required. Though Australian youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk has not yet fired, the flat pitch at Chinnaswamy may be just the stage he needs. With Axar leading the side and Kuldeep Yadav offering spin control in the middle overs, DC have developed into one of the most balanced units in the tournament.
The pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a paradise for batsmen. With short boundaries and a flat surface, high scores are a common feature at the venue. Teams batting first here typically aim for totals in excess of 200, especially since four of the last six IPL games at this ground have been won by the side batting first.
RCB and DC have shared an intense rivalry over the years, but the home side has had the upper hand recently — winning four of their last five encounters. The key to Thursday’s outcome may well lie in the powerplays and death overs, with both teams boasting explosive openers and sharp pace attacks.
A win for RCB could see them challenge for the top two spots, while a DC victory would further solidify their lead and send a clear message to the rest of the league.
With Kohli in form, the fans at Chinnaswamy is expected to turn up in full voice, hoping to witness another masterclass from their talisman. For DC, the challenge will be to quieten the Bengaluru roar and extend their winning streak.
The match begins at 7:30 PM IST and promises fireworks from ball one.
