In the 61st match of IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bangalore clinched victory over Delhi Capitals by 47 runs, dealing a blow to Delhi’s playoff hopes. Captain Akshar Patel appeared visibly disappointed after the loss.
RCB posted a challenging total of 187 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their innings. The Delhi Capitals’ fielding performance was lackluster, with several dropped catches during the match. Consequently, Delhi’s batting faltered, managing only 140 runs in response.
Speaking after the match, Akshar Patel expressed frustration, stating that if they hadn’t dropped catches, their team could have restricted RCB to a lower total. However, their poor performance in the powerplay, losing four wickets early on, made the chase difficult. Additionally, two run-outs further compounded their woes. Patel highlighted the slower nature of the pitch as a contributing factor.
He mentioned that the pitch could have allowed them to restrict RCB to a score between 160-170. However, losing wickets early on disrupted their plans, forcing them to focus on salvaging a draw and falling short in the chase.
Delhi Capitals currently sit in sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches, having won six and lost seven games. Meanwhile, RCB’s convincing win propels them to fifth place with the same number of points but a better net run rate than Delhi.
The defeat not only dented Delhi’s playoff aspirations but also brought to light their deficiencies in crucial aspects of the game, particularly fielding. As they head into the latter stages of the tournament, Patel and his team will need to address these issues swiftly to keep their playoff hopes alive.
