In a high-octane IPL encounter at Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals pulled off a stunning six-wicket chase on April 17, 2026, overhauling Royal Challengers Bengaluru's total of 175/8 in the very last over to win by 6 wickets with just one ball remaining. It was a match that had everything — Phil Salt's explosive fifty, Virat Kohli's home-ground presence, KL Rahul's blazing knock, and Tristan Stubbs' ice-cool match-winning 60* — all packed into 40 breathless overs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

RCB Innings: Salt Fires, But Collapse Limits Damage

Royal Challengers Bengaluru came out swinging. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli gave the home side an electric start, putting up 50 runs in just 30 balls in a blistering first-wicket stand. Salt was the aggressor, crashing his way to a 30-ball fifty laced with 4 fours and 2 sixes. By the end of the first powerplay, RCB had raced to 59/1 — full of promise and menace.

The 100-run mark arrived in 10.1 overs, and RCB looked set for a 200-plus total. However, the middle overs told a different story. Wickets fell in clusters, and at the second strategic timeout RCB were wobbling at 146/5 in 15.2 overs. A DRS review in over 14.3 — successfully challenging a no-ball against batter JM Sharma — provided some relief, and Sharma survived another review at over 18.6 when Delhi's challenge for a wicket was struck down.

Despite pockets of resistance, RCB could not accelerate in the back end. The impact player substitution of Rasikh Salam in the 19th over summed up the damage already done. RCB finished at 175/8 — a competitive but not imposing total on this ground.

Delhi Capitals Chase: Rahul Launches, Stubbs Finishes

Delhi's chase began in chaos and ended in glory. They lost 3 wickets inside the first powerplay while still posting 50 runs, as RCB struck early and hard. Notably, Pathum Nissanka was dismissed off just the fourth ball of the innings via a successful RCB review — a huge early blow. Delhi's Impact Player, Karun Nair, was immediately summoned to steady the ship.

The innings was transformed by KL Rahul. The Delhi captain played a captain's knock, forging a decisive 50-run fourth-wicket partnership in just 29 balls alongside Tristan Stubbs. Rahul blazed to his fifty off just 30 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes) and the strategic timeout came with Delhi at 70/3 in 8 overs — game very much on.

Delhi reached 100 in 11.5 overs and then 130/4 at 15 overs, still needing 46 off 30 balls — a tough but gettable ask. A concerning moment followed when Axar Patel retired hurt at 134/4 in the 16th over, leaving Delhi's lower order exposed. But Stubbs refused to flinch.

The South African finisher was at his composed, destructive best. He brought up his fifty off 41 balls (3 fours, 1 six) and kept the equation firmly in Delhi's control. With Delhi needing just 25 off the final 3 overs, Stubbs guided the chase home coolly, finishing on an unbeaten 60 off 47 balls. Delhi crossed the line at 179/4 in 19.5 overs — victory by 6 wickets, with one ball to spare.

Tristan Stubbs was rightly named Player of the Match for his match-defining knock under pressure.

Key Moments

  • Phil Salt's 30-ball fifty set the tone for RCB's powerplay blitz.
  • RCB's collapse from 100 in 10 overs to 175/8 at the end cost them at least 20 runs.
  • KL Rahul's explosive 50 kept Delhi's required rate manageable.
  • Axar Patel retiring hurt mid-chase added nerves, but Stubbs held firm.
  • Multiple DRS reviews shaped key passages of play, keeping both sides on edge.

Delhi Capitals move up the IPL standings with this vital win. RCB will need to regroup before their next fixture.