Kohli, bowlers shine as RCB inflict another loss on winless Delhi Capitals

Virat Kohli top-scored for RCB with 50 off 34 balls. His innings featured six fours and a six. Faf du Plessis (22 off 16), Mahipal Lomror (26 off 18) and Glenn Maxwell (24 off 14) all got starts, but failed to carry on. Du Plessis fell while trying to take on Mitchell Marsh, while Lomror also perished to the pacer. Kohli’s innings ended when he was sent back by Lalit Yadav.

Harshal Patel was promoted up the order, but was caught behind off Axar Patel for six off four balls. Dinesh Karthik had another low score as he dismissed for a duck. Anuj Rawat (15* off 22) struggled, but Shahbaz Ahmed (20* off 12) ensured RCB crossed 170.

The target proved more than enough as Delhi’s batters again floundered. Prithvi Shaw (0) was run out by a brilliant direct hit from Rawat, while Mitchell Marsh (0) miscued Wayne Parnell straight up in the air. Yash Dhull (1) was trapped lbw by Mohammed Siraj, while David Warner (19) perished while trying to take on Vijaykumar Vyshak.

DC were 30/4 inside the powerplay when Warner was dismissed. Abishek Porel fell for 5, while Axar Patel made 21 off 14. Amid the flurry of wickets, Manish Pandey scored a fighting half-century before being trapped lbw by Wanindu Hasaranga. A cameo from Anrich Nortje (23* off 14) ensured DC were not bowled out. They finished on 151/9 in their 20 overs.

Speaking after winning the Player of the Match, Kohli said, “I was quite disappointed that I got out to a full toss. I've been playing really well. One thing I mentioned to the guys in the change room that 175 was enough on this pitch. It slowed down considerably. We did well to get to that score and had the belief it was enough.

“When I've played my best cricket, those are the balls I've put away consistently. When I put away their best balls, it puts pressure on the bowlers. We kind of let it slip away last two games. I back myself to hit good shots. When they come off they look good,” he added.

--By A Cricket Correspondent