Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli believes Delhi Capitals played better than them in the crunch situations of the 46th match of the season. The hosts won the match by 16 runs and have booked the playoff stages berth as this was their eighth win of the season. Shreyas Iyer-led side posted 187 runs which was an above par score.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore also got off to a good start as Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli added 63 runs in the first six overs. However, the onus was always going to be on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to do the lion share of the scoring. As both of them could only manage 40 runs between them, it was always going to be an uphill task for the visitors.
Toss played a big part.
Consequently, Royal Challengers Bangalore are knocked out from the ongoing season as this was their eighth loss of the season. Kohli believes that the toss played a key role in the outcome of the match.
Virat Kohli said while talking to the host broadcaster in the post-match presentation, “It was a very important one (toss) especially with how the wicket played. We showed a lot of character even after losing the toss, but it got away a little bit in the end. We were thinking 160-165 but 185 on that sort of a pitch, with three spinners, was always going to be tough. Delhi played better than us in the crunch moments. We started off really well with the bat”.
“PP was outstanding and then I got going, but me and AB getting out to balls that you don’t get out to. That’s how the game goes some times. We just decided to have a lot of fun and that’s why we won four out of the last six games we have played. The important thing now, with two games left, is to go out there and have fun. Not take too much pressure. Obviously, we want to perform as best as we can, but the fun factor should not go away. We put ourselves under too much pressure in the first six games and then it is always hard work in the latter half. We have to go out there and play positive cricket. Once the last two games are done, sit down and see where the tournament goes”.
Dhawan played a fine knock.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals had come up with a fine batting performance after winning the toss. Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer came up with a fine show as both of them got fifties.
Dhawan was awarded the Man of the match for his knock of 50 runs which had come off 37 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes. The southpaw batsman is back in form and he is currently the second highest run-getter in the ongoing tournament with 451 runs in the season.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Rajasthan Royals on 30th April at their home ground. However, the last two matches will be dead rubbers for the team.