CHAPTER 99: RCB VS. DELHI CAPITALS – THE CHASE BEGINS

The stadium buzzed with anticipation as RCB’s openers walked onto the field, preparing to chase down 181 runs against Delhi’s disciplined bowling attack. Unlike their previous encounters, this match wasn’t about chasing an overwhelming total—it was about controlled execution, ensuring every phase was timed perfectly.

Raj adjusted his gloves, scanning Delhi’s field placements. Their bowlers had planned a structured defense—early containment, middle-over variations, and last-phase pressure. RCB had to neutralize these tactics before Delhi forced desperation onto them.

"We keep wickets intact, absorb pressure, then accelerate. No mistakes."

The first ball was about to be delivered.

RCB had successfully chased larger targets, but this innings required a precisely structured plan. Delhi’s bowling attack thrived in defensive setups, meaning every scoring phase had to be calculated.

Key strategies included:

Powerplay discipline without reckless strokes – Delhi’s bowlers aimed to choke early runs, meaning RCB had to keep strike rotating.

Middle-over stability ensuring a strong launch pad for acceleration – Losing wickets in this stage would allow Delhi to dictate the game.

Final-phase aggression at the perfect moment – If RCB executed their phases correctly, they would enter the last five overs without pressure.

Kohlie and Duplesi took their positions. The chase had begun.

Delhi’s pacer sprinted in, firing a full-length swinging delivery toward off stump.

Kohlie tracked the movement, adjusted his stance, and tapped it toward deep third.

Single taken.

Delhi had set their field in an ultra-defensive formation, ensuring no direct gaps existed.

Next ball—short, angling toward Duplesi’s body.

Duplesi anticipated it, adjusting his stance and guiding it toward deep mid-wicket.

Two runs.

RCB wasn’t forcing boundaries early, but they were controlling the tempo.

Delhi recognized RCB’s intent to stabilize, so they adjusted their bowling plans further:

Off-side compression to restrict Kohlie’s driving angles – Denying his free-flowing shots.

Quick rotations every two overs – Preventing RCB’s batters from settling into rhythm against one bowler.

Leg-side boundary protection – Duplesi’s favorite flick shots were being blocked by deep fielders.

RCB remained composed, ensuring every ball counted, every gap mattered.

Score Update – Powerplay Progression

RCB – 54 for no loss (6 overs)

Virat Kohlie – 27*(17), 3 fours

Faf Duplesi – 24*(19), 2 fours

RCB had controlled Delhi’s opening attack, ensuring a stable setup for the next phase.

Raj glanced at the scoreboard.

"The foundation is there. Now, we build."

RCB had navigated the powerplay phase with precision, reaching 54 for no loss after six overs. Kohlie and Duplesi had executed the opening plan effectively, ensuring that Delhi’s pacers couldn’t create early breakthroughs. But now, as the field spread and Delhi introduced their middle-overs containment strategy, the dynamics of the chase shifted.

Raj observed from the dugout, scanning Delhi’s defensive field placements. Their bowlers had switched from aggressive attack mode to controlled restriction

, aiming to slow RCB’s progression without taking excessive risks.

"They’ll cut off angles, deny boundary attempts, and force singles. We keep moving, don’t stall."

The players adjusted their stances, and Delhi’s lead spinner prepared to bowl.

Delhi’s plan revolved around structured bowling rotations, ensuring RCB’s batters never settled against one type of delivery:

Deep extra-cover and deep mid-wicket field placements – Blocking Kohlie’s favorite driving zones.

Spin-dominant approach – Using flight variations to break Duplesi’s rhythm.

Bowler changes every two overs – Preventing RCB from adjusting too quickly.

RCB had countered similar containment strategies before, but this game required patience and precision before acceleration.

Delhi’s spinner fired in the first ball—slow, drifting toward off-stump.

Kohlie watched carefully, stepped forward, and pushed the ball gently past point for a single.

Next ball—quicker trajectory, forcing Duplesi onto the back foot.

Duplesi adjusted quickly, tapping the ball toward mid-off.

Dot ball.

Delhi’s containment tactics were in full effect—they weren’t hunting wickets, they were denying scoring opportunities.

By the 10th over, Delhi’s bowlers had successfully slowed RCB’s scoring rate, but Kohlie and Duplesi remained composed, ensuring their wickets were intact. Their approach included:

Strike rotation over boundary attempts – Every ball was played into gaps to prevent stagnation.

Avoiding risky lofted strokes – Delhi had placed fielders precisely where mistimed shots would result in dismissals.

Building acceleration opportunity without forcing mistakes – Keeping Delhi’s bowlers under constant movement pressure.

Raj watched closely from the boundary. RCB had controlled the pace thus far.

"Now, we prepare for acceleration."

Delhi knew they needed a breakthrough before RCB’s acceleration phase, so they brought back their pace attack.

The first ball of over 13 arrived—sharp length, angling inward.

Duplesi attempted a flick toward square-leg, but mistimed.

Caught. OUT!

Raj stood up from his seat, tightened his gloves, and stepped toward the boundary.

"They got one. But now, we take full control."

RCB’s chase was entering its most critical moment.

Score Update – RCB’s Position Before Acceleration

RCB – 112 for 1 (13 overs)

Virat Kohlie – 55*(39), 6 fours

Faf Duplesi (out) – 48 (34), 4 fours

Raj walking in at No.3

With Delhi attempting to slow RCB’s acceleration, Raj now had to ensure stability before launching the final attack.

He tapped his bat against the pitch, locking eyes with Delhi’s bowlers.

"We finish this with precision. No desperation."

Raj stepped onto the crease, adjusting his gloves, scanning the field placements set up by Delhi. They had finally broken RCB’s foundation phase, dismissing Duplesi in the 13th over, and now they were shifting their tactics to stall acceleration.

Delhi’s captain signaled a repositioning of fielders—deep cover pushed wider, short third-man moved tighter, creating barriers for Raj’s off-side stroke play. Their bowlers aimed to force him into a containment mindset, ensuring he wouldn’t dictate the innings immediately.

"They expect forced shots. We deny them that advantage."

RCB still held control, but Raj knew that he had to break Delhi’s rhythm efficiently before launching a full chase attack.

Delhi’s defensive strategy now revolved around:

Mid-on and mid-wicket compression – Blocking Raj’s flick shots and forcing him to play straight.

Off-spin introduction against pace-hitters – Using slower deliveries to disrupt his footwork.

Bowling changes every two overs – Preventing rhythm building against specific styles.

Raj observed everything carefully. He had played through tighter defenses before—this wasn’t a challenge, it was an opportunity to dismantle their strategy efficiently.

Delhi’s off-spinner fired in the first ball—full-length, drifting toward off stump.

Raj didn’t swing hard. He leaned forward, placed the ball between short third and point, and took two runs effortlessly.

Delhi had anticipated power shots, but Raj was playing precision cricket instead.

Next ball—flatter trajectory, pushing for a back-foot response.

Raj adjusted quickly, rolling his wrists over the shot and guiding the ball past square leg.

Three runs.

Delhi’s captain gestured toward his bowler, frustrated. Their containment strategy wasn’t breaking momentum, it was allowing free movement instead.

Delhi saw that Raj wasn’t making mistakes. Their bowlers had expected an aggressive acceleration, but instead, RCB was accelerating through placements and tactical responses.

Delhi made their final fielding adjustments:

Third-man pushed finer to cut off late cuts.

Mid-wicket positioned deeper to restrict flick shots.

Extra pace variation introduced to force defensive play.

But Raj had already adapted to their adjustments.

The first ball of over 17 arrived—wide, fast, expecting Raj to chase.

Raj waited for the ball, timed it precisely, and steered it past backward point.

Four runs.

Delhi’s fielders reacted immediately, repositioning before the next ball.

Next ball—short, pushing Raj onto his back foot.

Raj didn’t hesitate—he stepped forward and flicked it past fine leg.

Boundary again.

RCB had officially entered acceleration mode.

RCB – 138 for 1 (18 overs)

Virat Kohlie – 76*(48), 8 fours

Raj – 32*(21), 2 fours

RCB needed 43 runs from 18 balls.

Raj tightened his gloves.

"Now, we finish this properly."

The stadium buzzed with intensity. RCB needed 43 runs from 18 balls, and Delhi’s bowlers had shifted into maximum containment mode, aiming to stall acceleration. Raj adjusted his stance, knowing that these final overs required absolute precision rather than forced aggression.

Delhi’s captain signaled last-minute fielding adjustments—deep extra-cover pushed wider, mid-on compressed further, ensuring no easy boundary opportunities. The pressure was mounting, but Raj remained composed.

"They expect rushed strokes. We break them with controlled attack."

The first ball of over 19 was about to be delivered.

Delhi recognized that RCB’s batters were building acceleration rather than blindly attacking, so they altered their tactics accordingly:

Consistent wide yorkers – Denying Raj direct driving angles.

Slower off-cutters mixed between deliveries – Disrupting his timing.

Boundary protection on leg-side – Preventing flick shots for easy runs.

Delhi wanted forced errors. Raj wanted flawless execution.

Delhi’s pacer sprinted in, delivering a full, wide ball outside off-stump.

Raj adjusted instantly, angling his bat and guiding the ball between backward point and third man.

Four runs.

Delhi’s captain exhaled sharply—their field compression hadn’t worked.

Next ball—short-pitched, expecting Raj to mistime a pull.

Raj waited, rolling his wrists over the ball and directing it toward fine leg.

Two runs.

Delhi’s bowlers hadn’t stopped acceleration—they had only delayed it slightly.

Delhi’s bowler ran in fast, knowing they had one last opportunity to stall RCB’s attack.

First ball—sharp, swinging inward.

Kohlie adjusted his stance, stepped forward, and glided it through covers.

Four runs.

RCB was now one shot away from sealing the match.

Raj adjusted his gloves, locking eyes with the bowler.

Next ball—back-of-length, forcing a defensive response.

Raj didn’t hesitate—he stepped forward and flicked it toward fine leg.

Boundary. Match over.

Final Score – RCB Secures Victory

RCB – 184 for 1 (19.4 overs)

Raj finishes unbeaten at 47(26), guiding the acceleration phase.*

Kohlie anchors the chase with 80(52), ensuring stability.*

RCB dominates another high-pressure run chase, proving their strategic mastery.

Raj removed his gloves, shaking hands with teammates.

This wasn’t just a win—it was proof of RCB’s ability to chase any total with calculated precision.

To be continued...