Delhi Capitals (DC) suffered a mid-innings scare during their chase of 176 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as skipper Axar Patel was forced to leave the field due to cramps. The all-rounder had looked in control early in his innings, striking a couple of boundaries to keep the chase on track. However, signs of discomfort emerged in the 14th over when he went down, prompting immediate medical attention.
Although he briefly resumed batting, the issue resurfaced in the 16th over, and this time, the pain proved too severe to ignore. With the situation worsening, Axar eventually retired hurt, struggling to move freely. In a notable moment of sportsmanship, Krunal Pandya stepped in alongside Ashutosh Sharma to help the DC captain off the field — a gesture that stood out amid the high-pressure contest.
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Despite the setback, DC held their nerve in a tense finish. David Miller turned the game on its head in the final over, smashing two sixes and a boundary to seal a dramatic win with a ball to spare. It was a tough blow for RCB, who had fought back well but faltered at the death.
Spirit of Cricket Moment 👏👏
Krunal Pandya helped Axar Patel to walk off the field who got retired hurt due to cramps ❌#ipl2026 #DC #RCB pic.twitter.com/95VmbRSJay
— Khel Cricket (@Khelnowcricket) April 18, 2026
Earlier in the evening, RCB posted 175/8 after being asked to bat first. Phil Salt led the charge with a fluent 63 off 38 balls, anchoring the innings on a slightly sluggish Chinnaswamy surface. Virat Kohli chipped in with 19 during a steady opening stand, but his dismissal to Lungi Ngidi slowed the momentum.
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Delhi Capitals capitalised brilliantly in the middle overs, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav picking up two wickets each, while the pacers ensured RCB couldn’t accelerate late.
In the chase, KL Rahul (57) and Tristan Stubbs (60*) laid the foundation before Miller’s late fireworks sealed a memorable victory, reinforcing DC’s ability to thrive under pressure.
