Pandya and Kohli help RCB rout DC by six wickets to go top, Mumbai register fifth straight victory

Krunal Pandya and Virat Kohli overcame their struggles of timing and momentum to smash fifties each and help Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) go on top of points table after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

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After RCB’s bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 3-33, Josh Hazlewood's 2-36 and a stifling act by Krunal and Suyash Sharma, restricted DC to a below-par 169/8 on a two-paced pitch, the side were quickly in tatters at 26/3, But Krunal stepped up to smash a brilliant 73 off 47 balls, laced with five fours and four sixes.

He was well-supported by a 47-ball 51 from Kohli, as the duo shared a 119-run stand for the fourth wicket. Tim David finished off the chase with an unbeaten 21 off five balls to ensure RCB maintained its clean slate in away games and run-chases in this season.

Jacob Bethell gave a bright start to RCB's chase by flicking Mitchell Starc for a six and a four on consecutive balls in the second over. But Bethell was removed by Axar Patel, as he miscued a pull to deep mid-wicket. Two balls later, Axar struck again by castling impact player Devdutt Padikkal, before skipper Rajat Patidar was run-out by a direct hit from Nair, leaving RCB in trouble at 26/3.