Rabada helps Delhi rout Bangalore to top IPL table
South African quick Kagiso Rabada claimed four wickets including Virat Kohli's key scalp to lead Delhi Capitals to the most notable of Indian Premier League table on Monday.
Rabada returned figures of 4-28 and topped the IPL bowling chart with 12 wickets in five matches as Delhi outplayed Royal Challengers Bangalore by 59 runs in Dubai.
Australia's Marcus Stoinis smashed an unbeaten 53 to steer Delhi to 196 for four, a total Rabada and company defended by restricting the Kohli-led Bangalore to 137 for nine.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel took two wickets and gave away just 18 runs from his four overs and paceman Anrich Nortje also struck twice.
"I don't really intend to get wickets, you can only just control where areas to bowl. I believe if you wish to be the very best you have to modify to the conditions," said Rabada.
"I think the spinners did a really good job today, they set up the game for all of us in the powerplay. Axar and (Ravichandran) Ashwin actually won us the overall game."
Patel, coming into the XI for injured Amit Mishra who was simply eliminated of the IPL, was named man of the match for his economical bowling figures.
Bangalore captain Kohli, who was simply kept under check in his 39-ball 43 before falling to Rabada, admitted his team was definately not convincing against a top Delhi unit.
"DC are playing some really good cricket. Their batting is fearless. They have pace, they have good spinners," said Kohli.
"I won't say they are unbeatable, nonetheless they will be hard to beat. Against this side, you must bring your A game. We didn't tonight."
The Twenty20 tournament is into its third week in the United Arab Emirates after being moved out of India due to the coronavirus pandemic.
