RCB qualify for the playoffs despite defeat to Delhi Capitals

If RCB were told they would be playing in the playoffs 6 weeks ago, they would have taken it. As Captain Kohli says, we have an opportunity and that’s all that matters. The Delhi Capitals stole a top 2 position in the points table with a convincing win, but a strong showing in the first 10 games has ensured that RCB will be in the top 4.

The RCB management would have had the figure of 17.3 at the back of their mind when the team walked out to defend 152 at a venue where the chasing teams have won the last 4 games. The toss was going to be important, and it proved so. RCB’s score of 152 was overhauled by the Delhi Capitals to maintain their winning run over RCB.

The Delhi Capitals started off strong in the chase, but a beauty of an outswinger by Mohammed Siraj knocked over Prithvi Shaw’s off stump. Yuzvendra Chahal might have gone wicketless for the first time in Dream11 IPL 2020, but along with an impressive show by Shahbaz Ahmed, the spin duo controlled the run flow when Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane were getting a partnership together. By the end of the evening, RCB had managed to push the Capitals to 19 overs to chase down 152 and had sealed a top 4 spot.

Earlier in the evening, it was yet again the ever-impressive Devdutt Padikkal show. Yet another half-century with impressive batting against a bowling lineup consisting of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and R Ashwin who enjoys bowling to left-handers. He was joined by Captain Kohli in the middle, and the top 2 run-scorers for RCB in Dream11 IPL 2020 ensured the innings was stable. Just when the innings was looking like it was ambling along, Captain Kohli and Devdutt accelerated, and the former lost his wicket in the process.

RCB were going along at just over 6-an-over. A late innings onslaught by AB de Villiers, a 21-ball 35 was crucial in RCB going past 150. Shivam Dube, drafted into the team for this game, pulled some lusty punches which propelled RCB to a  respectable total. At the end of the day, the target may have proved too little to win the game, but the bowlers pushed the Delhi Capitals far enough to clinch the elusive top 4 spot for RCB.