Virat Kohli and KL Rahul after the DC vs RCB IPL 2026 match. (Image Credit: IPL)
New Delhi: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru wrote history with a stunning nine-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, completing one of the most dominant run chases in IPL history.
After chasing a modest 76 balls, RCB reached the target in just 6.3 overs, finishing the game with 81 balls to spare – now the second highest margin in terms of balls remaining in a successful IPL chase.This also marked RCB’s biggest ever win in the IPL by this measure, while at the same time becoming DC’s biggest defeat in terms of balls remaining. Only Mumbai Indians’ 87-ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008 ranks higher on the all-time list.
Most of the balls in the IPL chase remained successful
- 87 – MI vs KKR, Wankhede, 2008 (Goal: 68)
- 81 –
RCB vs DC Delhi, 2026 (target: 76)* - 76 – KTK vs RR, Indore, 2021 (Goal: 98)
- 73- KXIP vs DC, Mohali, 2017 (Goal: 68)
- 72 – SRH vs RCB, Brabon, 2022 (Goal: 69)
The Pacers staged a historic demolitionThe foundation for the record win was laid by the devastating new-ball spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. The duo tore apart Delhi’s batting line-up inside the powerplay, reducing them to 8 for 6 in the first four overs.Bhuvneshwar struck early off the second ball of the innings, off debutant bowling Sahil Parakh for a duck. Hazlewood then removed KL Rahul and Sameer Rizvi off successive deliveries, while Bhuvneshwar returned to dismiss Tristan Stubbs and skipper Axar Patel.
Hazlewood (4/12) and Bhuvneshwar (3/5) ensured DC never recovered, as they bundled out for just 75 in 16.3 overs. Only Abhishek Porrell (30), David Miller (19) and Kyle Jamieson (12) offered some resistance in a one-sided contest.Kohli ends the clinical chaseIn response, Virat Kohli ensured there were no obstacles and finished the match unbeaten in the 23rd minute as RCB chased down the goal with ease. Devdutt Padikkal contributed 34 runs, while Kohli sealed the win with six in a row, much to the delight of the home crowd.Kohli also crossed the 9,000-run mark in the IPL while injured, adding another milestone to an already memorable outing for RCB.For DC, it was a collapse that will be hard to forget. “I don’t even know what happened,” Axar Patel admitted after the match, summarizing the shock experienced by the local camp.