IPL 2021, Match 56: RCB vs DC, Stats Review: New record for Avesh Khan, KS Bharat’s brilliant feat and more stats

What a way to end the league stage of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021! Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in what can be called an absolute nail-biter. For the unversed, the last two matches of the group stage were played simultaneously. While Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad pretty comfortably in Abu Dhabi, momentum rode on a roller-coaster in the other game in Dubai.

Speaking of the proceedings, the coin landed in RCB’s favour and Virat Kohli opted to bowl. DC openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan embraced the challenge, giving their side a stellar start. The duo added 88 runs for the first wicket and that too at a good pace. While the middle-order was expected to carry forward the momentum, RCB bowlers bounced back.

As a result, DC posted 164/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Chasing the challenging total, RCB got off to a terrible start with in-form openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal getting out on 6 and 0 respectively. AB de Villiers also perished after scoring a run-a-ball 26. However, in-form Glenn Maxwell joined forces with KS Bharat and the duo brought RCB back in the hunt.

Although both dashers scored half-centuries, DC had the edge till the very last ball. RCB needed five runs off the last with Bharat on strike. With an in-form Avesh Khan having the ball in hand, many didn’t back Bharat to smash the much-needed six. However, he did exactly that and took RCB to a stunning win.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from the RCB vs DC clash in IPL 2021:

2 – Harshal Patel has now taken 30 wickets in IPL 2021, second joint-most for any bowler in an IPL season. While he shares the record with Kagiso Rabada, Dwayne Bravo (30) holds the top spot.

4 – Shikhar Dhawan became the fourth player after Virender Sehwag, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer to complete 2000 runs for the Delhi-based side.

400 – For the very first time, Prithvi Shaw has touched the 400-run mark in an IPL season.

3 – This is the third instance of the Delhi-based side finishing the league stage at the top of the points table. 2009 and 2012 are the two years where Delhi entered playoffs as table-toppers.

3 – Avesh Khan’s tally of 22 wickets this season is third-highest by an uncapped bowler in an IPL season. Harshal Patel (30) and Yuzvendra Chahal (23) are holding the first two spots.

1 – KS Bharat recorded his maiden fifty in the Indian Premier League. Overall, he scored 78 runs in  52 balls.

3 – Bharat’s fifty is also the first half-century by an RCB player batting at number three this season.

78 – Bharat also scored his highest score in T20 cricket (78).

2000 – Glenn Maxwell completes 2000 runs in the Indian Premier League.

12 – Maxwell also smashed the 12th half-century of his IPL career and sixth one this season.

3 – Bharat became the third batter to hit a six when 5/6 runs were required off the last ball in an IPL match. MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo are the other two holding the feat.