IPL 2026: KL Rahul shines as Delhi Capitals halt RCB's home dominance with six-wicket win
KL Rahul anchored a crucial chase with a composed 57, guiding Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite an early wobble at 18/3, Rahul's calm assurance, supported by Tristan Stubbs' unbeaten 60, broke RCB's five-match home winning streak. Earlier, RCB posted 175/8, with Phil Salt scoring 63, but faltered in the middle overs.
BENGALURU: Back on home turf in familiar circumstances, KL Rahul stood tall amidst the ruins on a muggy Saturday evening. At 18/3 in the third over, Delhi Capitals were wobbling, undone early by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s (3/26) incisive spell. Yet, the birthday boy, who turned 34, remained unflustered, anchoring the chase with a calm assurance that has become his hallmark.
It wasn’t the first time Rahul had rescued his side in such a situation. His innings echoed his effort the last time these two teams met at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. On April 10 last year, the Karnataka batter struck an unbeaten match-winning 93 for a six-wicket victory.
On this occasion, he played the perfect foil again, scoring a composed 57 off 34 balls (6x4, 2x6) to set up a similar six-wicket win. — DelhiCapitals (@DelhiCapitals) On a day that marked 19 years of the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru — who had lost the tournament’s inaugural match at this very venue — slumped to their second defeat of the season. Riding on Rahul’s control and a late flourish from Tristan Stubbs (60n.
o), along with David Miller’s unbeaten 22, Capitals snapped defending champions RCB’s five-match winning streak at home. Chasing 176 on a tricky surface, DC were under pressure early as Bhuvneshwar struck thrice in the Powerplay. Pathum Nissanka (1), local lad Karun Nair (5) and Sameer Rizvi (2) all fell cheaply, unable to counter the veteran seamer’s movement and control.