"Even better than his masterclass at Chennai....": Boucher hails KL's knock during RCB-DC clash

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 11 (ANI): Following Delhi Capitals' win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), former South African cricketer Mark Boucher hailed KL Rahul's knock during a "tricky chase", calling it even better than a "masterclass" of a knock played against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk recently. Boucher was speaking on 'Match Centre Live' on JioHotstar.
Rahul's calm-as-a-monk knock of 93 in just 53 balls following an early batting collapse helped DC continue their unbeaten run in the IPL 2025, registering their fourth win while condemning hosts RCB to their second loss, with both coming at the home venue of M Chinnnaswammy Stadium.
Speaking after the match on the 'Match Centre Live' on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Boucher said, "That was a tricky chase--there was nothing easy about that win. At one point, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were right back in the game. It felt like the total might be a few runs short, but then they picked up early wickets. KL Rahul came in under serious pressure, with wickets falling around him and a high run rate to chase. He played a masterclass in Chennai the other night, but this innings was even better, especially in these conditions. He's looking in great form, and the celebration at the end showed how much this knock meant to him."
Even former Indian pacer and JioStar expert Varun Aaron was appreciative of his knock, saying that it "means a lot to him" since it came at his home ground. Perhaps the fact that RCB did not retain him years back is contributing to his fine run against them and at their home stadium.
"This is his home ground--it means a lot to him. He is from Bengaluru, and he was born and brought up here. He has been moved around the batting order a lot, but something clearly fired him up tonight to take this win home. Maybe it's the fact that Royal Challengers Bengaluru didn't retain him. I know he loved playing for them. Now, playing for Delhi, he is showing the RCB and Bengaluru fans that this is still his stadium--his arena," he added.
The right-hander boasts an incredible record against RCB, a team he represented in the 2013 and 2016 seasons. He scored 741 runs in 17 matches and 16 innings against them at an average of 74.10 and a strike rate of 147.31. He has scored a century and four fifties against RCB, with the best score of 132*.
After opting to bowl first, Delhi Capitals, led by the spin attack of Kuldeep Yadav (2/17) and Vipraj Nigam (2/18), restricted the home side to 163/7 in their 20 overs, with standout knocks played by Phil Salt (37 in 17 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Tim David (37* in 20 balls, with two fours and four sixes). This happened despite a powerful 61-run stand between Salt and Virat Kohli (22 in 14 balls, with a four and two sixes),
Delhi Capitals were then reduced to 58/4, but Rahul and Tristan Stubbs showed resistance as they compiled an unbeaten stand of 111 runs for the fifth wicket to take their team to a clinical win. Rahul played an unbeaten knock of 93 off 53, consisting of seven fours and six sixes, while Stubbs scored 38* off 23, with four boundaries and a six, in the team's fourth win.
DC is in second place with four wins in all four matches, while RCB is in fourth place with three wins in five matches and two losses.
KL secured the 'Player of the Match' award. (ANI)