Despite Shimron Hetymer and Pant’s superb partnership, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Delhi Capitals in a thrilling contest played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and decided to field first. Devdutt Paddikal started off brilliantly with some lovely boundaries putting pressure on Avesh Khan and Ishant Sharma. Virat Kohli did not get most of the strike. After being hit for a boundary, Avesh took the wicket of RCB captain Virat taking inside edge onto the stumps. Delhi Capitals made another important breakthrough as Ishant Sharma produced a beauty to get rid of Paddikal in the very next over. At the end of the first six overs, RCB made 36 for 2.

Glenn Maxwell was in great touch hitting Amit Mishra and Axar Patel for one-six each. Amit Mishra bowled slower, and Steve Smith took an easy catch at long-on. Maxwell and Patidar added 30 runs for the 3^rd wicket. At the end of the first timeout, RCB made 60 for 3. Rajat Patidar coming back into the XI looked impressive keeping the scoreboard ticking along with genius AB de Villiers.

AB de Villiers took the charge taking singles and hitting boundaries to put pressure on Delhi Capitals bowlers. In an attempt to hit a big shot, Patidar was caught by Smith at long-on. Patidar and AB de Villiers added 54 runs for the 4^th wicket. Washington Sundar struggled to time the ball looking out of sorts. At the end of the second timeout, RCB scored 124 for 4.

AB de Villiers upped the ante and smashed Rabada for a six but ended with a wicket of the final ball of his spell. De Villers held the innings reaching his fifty off 35 balls. It was an amazing batting effort by de Villiers smacking 3 sixes off Marcus Stoinis in the final over. AB de Villiers remained not out on 75 off 42 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes while Sams scored 3 runs off 2 balls. De Villiers and Sams added unbeaten 32 runs for the 6^th wicket.

Chasing 172 runs to win, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw began off briskly with some lovely shots to put pressure on RCB bowlers. Jamieson was lucky enough as Shikhar Dhawan provided an easy catch to Chahal at fine leg. Soon after, Siraj produced a beauty to dismiss Steve Smith to leave Delhi Capitals in trouble. Shaw looked out of sorts and struggled for his timing. At the end of the first six overs, DC scored 43 for 2.

Pant survived a close LBW shout given out by the umpire but on review, the decision was overturned to not out as it hit the inside edge. Harshal Patel struck his first wicket getting the wicket of Shaw. Shaw. Marcus Stoinis was not able to pick Chahal’s variations as the run rate was climbing. Stoinis survived LBW shout given not out and it remained not out. At the end of the first timeout, Delhi Capitals scored 53 for 3.

DC captain Pant struggled with his timing while Stoinis upped the ante with attacking strokes. Harshal took a timely wicket getting Stoinis taking the edge to de Villiers. Stoinis and Pant added 45 runs for the 4^th wicket. Devdutt Paddikal dropped a simple chance running forward to dismiss Hetymer. At the end of the second timeout, DC scored 116 for 4.

Shimron Hetymer provided entertaining cricket smacking 3 sixes off Jamieson’s over to give Delhi Capitals hope of winning. Harshal Patel bowled a superb 19^th over giving away just 11 runs. During the course, Hetymer completed a half-century off 23 balls.

Mohammed Siraj was superb with the execution of the yorker off the first 4 balls. The match went right down to the wire as Pant could only hit a boundary with 6 runs needed from 1 delivery. Pant completed his fifty off 46 balls. Pant and Hetymer added 78 runs for the 5^th wicket.

Royal Challengers Bangalore 171 for 5 in 20 overs ( AB de Villiers 75, Patidar 31, Avesh Khan 1/24) beat Delhi Capitals 170 for 4 in 20 overs ( Pant 58, Hetymer 53*, Patel 2/37) by 1 run.

With this win, Royal Challengers Bangalore moved up to the top of the points table. For his unbeaten 75* off 42 balls, AB de Villiers was awarded man of the match.