RCB vs DC, IPL 2025: 'This is my Ground' - KL Rahul Delivers Strong Message After Match-Winning Knock in Bengaluru

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"This is my ground" - KL Rahul delivered a strong message in Bengaluru after powering Delhi Capitals (DC) to a 6-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday (April 10) night.

Rahul bagged back-to-back Player of the Match awards after a composed and commanding 93* off 53 balls against RCB, not only powered DC to their fourth straight win but also reinforced the Karnataka star's status as one of the most dependable performers this season.

After a match-winning fifty at Chepauk last week, Rahul showcased another masterclass on familiar turf, M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a ground he knows like the back of his hand.

Chasing 164 on a slightly tricky surface, Rahul guided his side to a six-wicket win with thirteen balls to spare. The Capitals crossed the 100-run mark in 14.1 overs and reached 150 in 17.3 overs, wrapping up the chase at 169/4 in 17.5 overs.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahul shared insights into his approach and how his role as a wicketkeeper played a key part in understanding the conditions on what he called a 'one paced pitch'.

"It was a slightly tricky wicket but what helped me was being behind the stumps for 20 overs, watching how the wicket played," Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "The ball sat in the wicket but it was consistent throughout, it was one-paced. I knew what my shots are, wanted to get off to a good start, and then assess it accordingly."

Bringing in his experience as the local lad, Rahul also touched upon his awareness of the ground dimensions and match situations, which helped him pace the innings to perfection before adding that nobody knows the Chinnaswamy better than him.

"On a wicket like this, I knew what my pockets were. If I wanted to hit a big six, I knew what pockets to target, and keeping gave me a feeler for where other batters were dismissed and where they hit the sixes. Got lucky with the dropped catch. This is my ground, my home, know this (ground) better than anyone else," Rahul added.

In Bengaluru, Rahul has amassed 475 runs, including 3 fifties, in 15 IPL innings at an average of 43.18 and a strike rate of 143.93 with 40 fours and 22 sixes at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Against RCB also his numbers are decent as he has scored 741 runs, including a century, in 16 innings at a strike rate of 147.31.

Rahul was very keen on returning to where it all started for him in IPL at the Mega Auction after being released by Lucknow Super Giants. While RCB went up to a certain amount, Delhi Capitals looked the more interested in signing him and landed him for Rs 14 crore.