RCB vs DC First Innings: Tim David’s Heroics Rescue Bengaluru After Dramatic Collapse

RCB vs DC First Innings: The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a rollercoaster first innings on Thursday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) posted 163/7 against the unbeaten Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 24 of IPL 2025. While RCB’s innings swung between explosive starts and middle-order chaos, Tim David’s late fireworks ensured a competitive total, setting the stage for a gripping chase.

Toss and Team Changes

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Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the pitch’s dry appearance and the advantage of chasing under lights. DC made one change, bringing in Faf du Plessis for Sameer Rizvi, while RCB retained their playing XI from their previous win. Axar confirmed KL Rahul would bat in the middle order, a tactical shift aimed at stabilizing DC’s innings during the chase.

IPL 2025 Schedule

Powerplay Fireworks and Sudden Collapse

RCB’s openers, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, unleashed a blistering start, racing to 50 runs in just 3 overs—the second-fastest team fifty in IPL history. Salt dominated Mitchell Starc in a 30-run third over, hammering two sixes and three boundaries, while Kohli played the anchor role. The duo’s aggression saw RCB reach 61/0 in 3.4 overs, with Salt contributing 37 off 17 balls.

However, disaster struck in the fourth over when a miscommunication between Salt and Kohli led to Salt’s run-out. Salt slipped mid-pitch, and KL Rahul’s sharp glovework left him stranded. The momentum shifted instantly:

Devdutt Padikkal (1 off 8) fell to Mukesh Kumar’s slower ball, edging to Axar Patel.
Virat Kohli (22 off 14) holed out to Mitchell Starc off Vipraj Nigam’s leg-spin, silencing the home crowd.

From 61/0, RCB crumbled to 74/3 in 7 overs, losing three wickets for just 13 runs.

Middle-Overs Stranglehold by DC Spinners

Delhi’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam orchestrated a stunning collapse, exploiting the pitch’s grip and variable bounce:

Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-17-2) removed Jitesh Sharma (3 off 11) and skipper Rajat Patidar (25 off 23), both caught by KL Rahul. Patidar’s dismissal, a mistimed slog, left RCB reeling at 117/6.
Vipraj Nigam (4-0-18-2) dismissed Kohli and Krunal Pandya (18 off 18), showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure.

DC’s pacers complemented the spinners: Mohit Sharma (2-0-10-1) trapped Liam Livingstone (4 off 6) with a clever back-of-a-length delivery, while Mukesh Kumar’s wicket-maiden over tightened the screws.

Between overs 4–15, RCB scored just 74 runs, losing five wickets. The crowd fell into stunned silence as DC’s bowlers conceded only 27 runs in six overs post-powerplay.

RCB vs DC Playing 11, Toss Update and Key Highlights

Tim David’s Late Surge: A Lifeline for RCB

With RCB at 125/7 in 17.1 overs, Tim David (37* off 20) launched a counterattack, plundering 36 runs off the final two overs:

Axar Patel’s 19th over: David smashed two sixes and a four, taking 17 runs.
Mukesh Kumar’s 20th over: Despite a nervy start with a DRS review for a caught-behind (overturned), David slammed two sixes and a boundary, including a 94-meter hit over deep mid-wicket.

His unbeaten knock, featuring 2 fours and 4 sixes, lifted RCB from 144/7 to 163/7, injecting hope into the innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s gritty 1* off 4 provided crucial support.

Key Bowling Performances

Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm wrist-spinner’s control and variations stifled RCB’s middle order. His dismissal of Patidar, luring him into a false shot, was a masterclass in guile.
Vipraj Nigam: The 22-year-old leg-spinner outfoxed Kohli with a flighted delivery, a career highlight that underscored his rising reputation.
Mohit Sharma: The veteran seamer’s economical spell (2-0-10-1) included Livingstone’s wicket, showcasing his death-over expertise.

Mitchell Starc (3-0-35-0) had a rare off day, leaking 30 runs in his third over, but DC’s spinners compensated brilliantly.

Pitch and Tactical Analysis

The Chinnaswamy surface initially favored batters, with Salt and Kohli capitalizing on Starc’s erratic lines. However, as the ball softened, spinners found grip, and DC’s decision to bowl first proved astute. Axar’s leadership stood out—his field placements and bowling changes disrupted RCB’s rhythm.

Looking Ahead to the Chase

DC’s target of 164 is chaseable on this ground, but RCB’s pace attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, will rely on early breakthroughs. Key battles to watch:

Faf du Plessis vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The former RCB captain’s familiarity with the venue could be pivotal.
KL Rahul vs Spin: Rahul’s middle-order role against RCB’s Suyash Sharma (impact sub) might decide the game’s fate.

Conclusion

RCB’s innings mirrored their IPL journey—flashes of brilliance overshadowed by fragility. Yet, Tim David’s late heroics ensured a fighting total. As DC gears up for the chase, the match hangs in the balance, promising a thrilling second act under Bengaluru’s lights.

Final Score: RCB 163/7 (20 overs) | Tim David 37* (20), Phil Salt 37 (17) | Kuldeep Yadav 2/17, Vipraj Nigam 2/18.

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