Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 18: A dramatic late assault by David Miller powered Delhi Capitals to a nail-biting six-wicket victory over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2026 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 176 on a slowing surface, Delhi got home with just one ball to spare, ending their two-match losing streak. Miller was the hero in the final over, smashing two towering sixes and a boundary off Romario Shepherd when 15 runs were needed, turning the game decisively in DC’s favour.

Earlier, KL Rahul (57) and Tristan Stubbs (60 not out) rebuilt the innings after a disastrous start. DC had slumped to 18/3 in the powerplay, courtesy of a superb spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who removed Pathum Nissanka, Karun Nair, and Sameer Rizvi early.

Rahul, playing on his birthday, counterattacked with flair, sharing a crucial 76-run stand with Stubbs. After Rahul’s dismissal, Stubbs anchored the chase, while captain Axar Patel contributed a quick 26 before retiring hurt due to cramps.

RCB fought back strongly in the middle overs through Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar, and Josh Hazlewood, tightening the game and leaving DC needing 37 off the last three overs. But Miller’s late fireworks ensured a memorable finish.

Earlier in the match, RCB posted 175/8, largely built on Phil Salt’s aggressive 63 off 38 balls. However, DC’s bowlers, led by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, pulled things back in the middle overs, while pacers Lungi Ngidi and T. Natarajan delivered a superb finish, conceding just 29 runs in the last five overs.

Despite contributions from Tim David (26), RCB’s innings lost momentum after Salt’s dismissal, leaving them slightly short on a challenging pitch.

The result marked RCB’s first home defeat of the season and ended their two-match winning streak, while DC bounced back strongly to revive their campaign in the tournament.