New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) Delhi Capitals posted 162 for eight against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match here on Sunday, with a series of late strikes by pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar preventing a stronger finish for the hosts.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB struck early when Josh Hazlewood removed the dangerous Abishek Porel (28 off 11 balls), who had given DC a flying start with two fours and two sixes. Faf du Plessis (22 off 26) and Karun Nair (4) also fell inside the powerplay, as Delhi stumbled to 44/2.

KL Rahul (41 off 39) tried to anchor the innings with steady partnerships, but struggled for fluency before perishing to a slower ball from Bhuvneshwar in the 17th over. Axar Patel (15) briefly counter-attacked, but was bowled by Hazlewood attempting a cross-batted swipe.

Tristan Stubbs provided late fireworks, hammering 34 off 18 balls with five boundaries and a six. Stubbs peppered the field with inventive strokes, including a reverse-hit six off Yash Dayal and a series of boundaries against Hazlewood and Dayal. Vipraj Nigam (12 off 6) also played a cameo, including a ramped six over third man.

However, Delhi’s hopes of a final flourish were dented in the last two overs. Vipraj Nigam was run out in the 19th over attempting a risky second run, and Stubbs holed out to Hazlewood at backward point three balls later. A dramatic finish saw Bhuvneshwar bowl a pinpoint slower ball to Dushmantha Chameera on the final delivery, with replays confirming it was just inside the tramline.

Bhuvneshwar finished as the standout bowler with 4-0-33-3, while Hazlewood (4-0-36-2) and Yash Dayal (4-0-42-1) supported ably. Suyash Sharma (4-0-22-0) was the most economical.

RCB now require 163 runs to secure a crucial victory as the playoff race intensifies. UNI BDN SSP