RCB vs DC Ball by Ball Commentary

SIX! The Chinnaswamy is silenced as the DC juggernaut continues. Defeating CSK at Chepauk before, Delhi Capitals have now defeated RCB in their own backyard. The local lad, KL Rahul, does the job in style! This is the first ever time that Delhi Capitals have won their first four games in the history of their IPL journey. They remain unbeaten in this edition so far. Coming onto the delivery, Dayal spears in a full toss, wayward on the pads, KL Rahul picks it up and sails it behind deep fine leg for a six.

FIVE WIDES! SCORES LEVEL! A freebie at a very inopportune moment from Dayal. Way too short from Dayal, over the batter's head. It keeps sailing over and beats the acrobatic wicket-keeper, Jitesh Sharma, to run behind to the fence. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have challenged the Wide call and have opted for a review. The side-on angle shows the ball passing well over KL Rahul's head. The decision of Wide stays.

FOUR! This is range-hitting of the highest order! Also, the 100-run stand comes up between these two! On a length, across off, a slower one. KL Rahul switches his stances and reverse ramps it over short third for a boundary.

SIX! Going for the kill now, is KL Rahul! Not that short from Dayal, angling over off, KL Rahul weighs on the back foot and cracks the pull shot, hoisting it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

A slower one, at just 99 kph, on a good length, Tristan Stubbs waits and waits for it, and chips it through mid on for a single.

Over top of off, on a length, KL Rahul punches off the higher part of the bat, for a single wide of cover.

FOUR! In a hurry to finish this off now! That's hit with immense brute force from the Protea! Too full and on off, Tristan Stubbs prods half forward and smashes it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a cracking boundary. 18 needed off 18 now.

Short of a good length, over top of off, KL Rahul stands tall and tucks it through mid on for a quick single.

On a length, on off, Stubbs knocks it to long on for one.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Back of a good length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs with an angled bat swats it straight back, past the bowler to his right for a boundary.

Back of a length, on off, KL Rahul eases it to the left of backward point for a single.

A length ball, on top of off, Tristan Stubbs punches it down to long off for a single.

Quicker at 100.6 kph, full and around off, Tristan Stubbs smashes it to long off for a single. Another expensive over for RCB. 13 off it. And 35 runs in the last two overs for DC. Suyash Sharma ends his bowling spell with figures of 4-0-25-1.

SIX! Clears the ropes with ease, and at will! Dropped right into the wheelhouse, on middle, Tristan Stubbs crouches and launches it over long on for an 81-meter six.

FOUR! Stubbs moves into the 20s now, and is playing a perfect foil from one end. Quick and flat, a yard behind full, at off, Tristan Stubbs backs away and smacks it through covers for a cracking boundary.

On the shorter side, around off, KL Rahul goes deep inside the crease and drags it to the right of long on for a single.

Dragged down, on off, punched by KL Rahul, but straight to short cover.

Pushed through, full toss on the pads, Tristan Stubbs pushes it away to the right of long on for a single.

SIX! As good a shot can get! 22 runs off this over and Delhi Capitals need just 43 more runs off 30 balls now. Full and on middle and leg, KL Rahul backs away to make room and carves it over long off for a biggie.

FOUR! Third boundary off the over and KL Rahul seems to have no intentions to stop. Short of a length, not too short to trouble the batter, KL Rahul pulls it through square leg for four more.

A bit fuller than a length, on off, KL Rahul cuts it past backward point and takes two more runs. 12 runs off the over already.

Hard length, on off, KL Rahul miscues his whip and drags it in front of deep mid-wicket. Two is the call straightaway and he gets it with ease.

FOUR! Sublime! On a length, around off, KL Rahul brings his bottom hand into play as he cuts it behind backward point for four more.

FOUR! With the DLS par score before this ball reading 107, KL decides to go hard. Short of a length, on middle, pace taken off, KL Rahul pulls it dead square on the leg side for a boundary.

Back of a length, on middle, KL Rahul is hurried but pulls it all along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. A good over from Yash Dayal on return. Just 5 singles off it.

Skidding through from a length, on off, KL Rahul glides it to short third.

Full, on middle, Tristan Stubbs taps it to mid off for one.

FIFTY FOR RAHUL! Back-to-back half-centuries for him. His 39th fifty in the IPL overall, including 4 centuries. What an anchoring knock this is turning out to be for the local lad. Absorbed all the pressure and is now looking right on track to guide his team towards the target. Full and on off, he slices it over covers for one.

Goes full at the stumps, Tristan Stubbs knocks it to long on for one.

Angling across, well outside off, KL Rahul slashes it to deep backward point for a single.

Full and on leg, KL Rahul skips down the track, collects it as a full toss and hacks it to deep mid-wicket for one. Yash Dayal moves to his left as the ball turns away after bouncing, but Dayal judges it well and stops it. 14 runs off this over and Delhi Capitals rack 27 runs off the last two overs.

Slower through the air, full and on middle, Stubbs pushes it past backward point for one.

A tad fuller, but still short enough for KL Rahul to pull it to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! KL Rahul is putting his foot down and is reaping huge rewards! Tossed up, on off, KL Rahul dances down the track and tonks it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

FOUR! KL Rahul moves into the 40's! Short again, on off, KL Rahul rocks back and whips it right through the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

Starts with a short one, on off, Stubbs cuts it to deep third for a single.

Full and angling into middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs eases it to deep mid-wicket for one. 13 runs off that over and Delhi Capitals will be hoping this to be the moment their fortunes change.

Krunal drops it into the surface on a length, at the stumps, Stubbs punches it to cover.

Full, around off, KL works it to long off for one.

SIX! Lovely shot! Seems like they have picked their bowler to target! Tossed up, on middle, KL Rahul sweeps it and dispatches it way over deep square leg for a six.

Full and on off, Stubbs punches it to long off for one.

FOUR! A much-needed one for Delhi Capitals! Full and on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs switches his hands and reverse sweeps it past short third to his left for a boundary.

And again. The pressure of dots is showing! A bit fuller and on off, KL Rahul makes room and cuts but straight to Rajat Patidar again at backward point. Just one off this over. Suyash's bowling figures read 3-0-12-1 so far.

Around off, on a length, Rahul cuts but cannot get it past backward point.

Fuller than the previous one, on middle, KL Rahul pushes it down the deck.

Just within the tramline. KL Rahul is having a chat with Stubbs to check if they should go upstairs for a wide check, but decides against it. Short and outside off, KL leaves it.

Keeps it short again but offers a bit more width, outside off, Stubbs punches it to deep point for a single.

Short and on off, Tristan Stubbs punches it to cover.

At 101.9 kph, an arm ball on a length, around middle and off, Tristan Stubbs hits across through the mid-wicket region for a single. Halfway through, DC are 66/4, needing another 98 runs off 60 balls.

Five singles off five balls. Length ball, on off, KL Rahul knocks it to right of cover for a single.

A yard behind fuller length, on off, Stubbs stands tall and punches off the back foot, for a single at deep cover.

Seeing KL Rahul shuffling outside leg, Krunal lands a half-tracker, on the leg stump, KL Rahul opens the bat face and punches it through covers for a single.

Drifting on the leg stump, on a length, Stubbs works across to the left of square leg  for a single.

Starts from around the stumps, and lands on a length, on middle and leg, KL Rahul hangs back and nudges it to the right of square leg for a single.

A googly, too full and outside off, KL Rahul steers it across to deep mid-wicket for a single. Looks for the second run, but was never there.

Stubbs is off the mark! Flat and full, outside off, Tristan Stubbs leans forward and drives it to cover for a single.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Suyash Sharma keeps making impact for RCB with the ball! He bowls on a flatter trajectory, just angling outside off, Axar Patel takes his front foot ahead and tries to clear long off, but mistimes it badly as the bat face is closed right at the point of contact. Finds no elevation, and no distance either. Sails it straight down the throat of Tim David stationed at long off. The giant Aussie is not dropping those dollies. Delhi Capitals lose their skipper and are 58/4. Suyash Sharma breaks this 28-run stand as Axar Patel departs for 15 (11).

Suyash keeps it away from the batter's arc, sliding outside off, on a fuller length. Axar Patel crouches and gives a wild swing. A leading edge is found the ball flies over short third. Bhuvneshwar Kumar from the inner ring chases the ball to the deep. Two taken.

FOUR! Just over in-field and in the gap! Pitched further up, around off, Axar Patel takes a huge stride ahead and lofts it inside out over cover for a boundary.

Dishes out a full ball, another googly to start with. Lands and turns away, taking Axar by surprise, whos is beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Nicely bowled! Hard length, shade outside off, skidding and jagging back in a long way. KL Rahul looks to repeat the shot but is beaten by the inward shape.

TOP EDGE, SIX! The 50 is up for Delhi Capitals! Into the surface, too short and climbing on the batter's chest. KL Rahul swings to pull, but top-edges it behind the keeper, for a 71-meter six into the stands.

Across off, on a length, Axar Patel punches it off the back foot to the right of cover for a single.

Hazlewood follows the batter as KL moves across to the leg side. Length ball angling into the batter's body, trying to cramp him for room. KL Rahul works it through mid on for a single.

Shortish, on the bodyline, Axar Patel plays late, stands tall and guides it to deep third for a single.

Back of a length, nibbling away from outside off, KL Rahul guides it past backward point for a single.

Floated up, full and on middle, KL Rahul leans forward and clips it all along the ground to long on. Just a single. A brilliant start from Suyash. Only 3 off his opening over. And 11 runs in the last 12 deliveries.

Short and outside off, KL Rahul hangs back and drags the ball to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

Fourth dot in a row from Suyash! A flipper, around off, it skids through on off, and turns a bit away. KL Rahul plays late and cuts straight to backward point.

A real drag-downer, outside off, short in length, KL Rahul pats it towards cover.

Another wrong'un dished out, on a length, at off, KL Rahul hangs back and tucks it to the right of the bowler. Not quite picking up the googlies here KL Rahul.

A googly, on a length, turning onto the pads, KL Rahul misses to work across and wears on the front thigh pad. A massive appeal for LBW, but not entertained by the umpire. Clearly missing leg.

In-between length, on the stumps, Axar Patel stabs it onto the pitch off the back foot. Delhi Capitals end their Powerplay at 39/3, versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 64/2. They need 125 more off 84 balls remaining.

Hard length, just outside off at 139.5 kph, KL Rahul cuts it square to deep backward point for a single.

Quick drop and run! Length ball, around off, Axar knocks it to cover-point for a single.

FOUR! Over the inner ring and through the fence! A boundary after 11 deliveries for DC! Short of a good length, across off, Axar Patel slashes a it and the top edge flies the ball over short third for a one-bounce boundary.

Hits the deck hard, on top of middle, at 135.2 kph, KL Rahul taps the ball between backward point and short third for a single.

Hoff sprints from over the stumps and bowls on a length, around off, Axar Patel eases it to the left of short third for a single.

Just one run and a wicket off Bhuvneshwar Kumar's third over. Just fabulous! Good length, outside off, KL cuts it to cover.

Full again, on middle and off, KL Rahul nudges it in front of cover.

Fuller length, on off, Axar Patel drives it and gets it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket for one.

OUT! CAUGHT! The impact substitute fails to make a good impact for Delhi Capitals! They lose their third, and it's just a lack of execution from these batters. All three dismissals so far have been similar. Back of a length, on middle and off, Abishek Porel looks to flick it and plays across the line. A top edge is found that goes very high but just beside the pitch. Jitesh Sharma, the keeper, calls for the catch and takes another stunning catch diving to his front.

Similar length but the line is directed at the stumps, Abishek Porel taps it back to the bowler.

Fuller in length, on off, Porel punches it to mid off.

Good length, around off, Abishek Porel cuts it to deep third for a single.

Yash bowls fuller and around off, pushed by Porel to mid off. KL Rahul sniffs a single and takes a step forward, but is sent back in time.

Hard length, on off, KL Rahul steers it to deep backward point for one.

FOUR! Top shot! Full and on off, KL Rahul presses ahead and shows full face of the bat before lifting it over the bowler's head for a boundary towards long off.

In the air, but pops out of Rajat Patidar's hand. Another solid piece of fielding from RCB! Back of a length, on middle and off, KL Rahul gets his front leg out and carves it over covers. Rajat Patidar turns back and sprints behind to reach to the ball and throws himself with a dive. He tries to take it with both hands around his left shoulder, but the ball just hits the palms and pops out. A couple of runs taken as the ball is parried to the deep. Krunal Pandya mops it up before the ropes.

Length-delivery, around off, guided away to short third.

WIDE! On a fuller length, down leg. Left alone.

FOUR! A superb effort from Josh Hazlewood but in vain! On a good length, on middle, Abishek Porel tucks it past square leg. Hazlewood from deep third moves across quickly and flicks the ball off his right hand through his legs with a dive ahead. The third umpire checks a couple of angles and deems it a boundary as Josh Hazlewood had his fingers in contact with the boundary cushion when the ball was in his hand.

Length, at the stumps, Abishek Porel clips it to the right of deep third and gets a couple of runs to get off the mark.

On a good length, around off, KL Rahul taps it to mid off and steals a quick single.

FOUR! All class on that one! Touch fuller, on middle and off, KL Rahul times his drive beautifully past mid off for a boundary to get off the mark.

Length, on off, KL pushes it to point and Abishek Porel sets himself off for a run. Is sent back at the right time.

OUT! TAKEN! One brings two and the Delhi Capitals are in early trouble with both openers back in the hut. Bhuvneshwar Kumar goes short of a good length, on off, Jake Fraser-McGurk opens up his stance, clears out his front leg and has a wild hack across the line. Only manages to get a top edge that goes very high in the air, behind the stumps. Jitesh Sharma calls for it and keeps his eyes on the ball while it swirls around. He almost makes a mess of it but manages to gobble it in his mitts. Jake Fraser-McGurk's lean patch this season continues.

WIDE! Bangs the deck, on a length but down leg. Jake Fraser-McGurk looks to help it on its way but misses.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yash Dayal gives Royal Challengers Bengaluru the wicket they needed in his very first over. Comes from over the wicket and lands it on a fuller length, angling it across, on middle and leg. Faf du Plessis looks to flick it across but gets a leading edge that goes straight down the throat of Rajat Patidar at mid off. Faf du Plessis departs for 2 (7) and Delhi Capitals are 9/1 at the end of 2 overs.

Much fuller, outside off, Faf du Plessis firms his drive but straight to the fielder at cover.

Attacking the pads, on a fuller length, Jake Fraser-McGurk clips it wide of long on for one.

Fuller in length, at the pads, Jake Fraser-McGurk flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Gets it through this time, does Jake Fraser-McGurk! On a length, on off, Jake punches it nicely and threads it through covers for a boundary to get off the blocks.

Steams in from over the stumps, and lands it on a good length, angling it across, around off, Faf du Plessis pushes it behind point for one.

Back of a good length, on off, JFM punches it well but cannot pierce it through the gap at cover. A tidy start from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and DC are 1/0 at the end of the first over.

On a length, on off, Jake Fraser-McGurk pushes it to cover.

Riskly run! Bhuvneshwar Kumar keeps it outside off, on a length and Faf du Plessis cuts it straight to cover. He sets off for the run, and Virat Kohli has a shy at the bowling end and misses to hit the target. Had that hit, Faf was gone for all money.

Good length, on off, Faf du Plessis shows full face of the bat and blocks.

With an upright seam, Bhuvneshwar Kumar lands it just outside off and gets the ball to zip through holding its line. Faf du Plessis fiddles at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Starts from over the wicket and gets the ball to nip back in straightaway from around off and on a length, Faf du Plessis stabs it down the deck.