Delhi Capitals’ roller-coaster season after their heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru has come under fresh scrutiny, but DDCA Director Shyam Sunder Sharma has strongly defended Virat Kohli and dismissed talk that the veteran batter is already past his best. Speaking after the IPL 2026 match on Monday night, Sharma also highlighted the unusual intensity of ticket demand for the DC vs RCB showdown, describing it as unlike anything he has seen in his long career with the sport.
Sharma backs Kohli and questions Delhi’s “inconsistent” run
Sharma’s comments were aimed at the criticism surrounding Kohli while also addressing Delhi’s fluctuating fortunes following the defeat at Arun Jaitley Stadium. He argued that the team’s results swing sharply depending on whether they can reach big totals, suggesting that their batting momentum does not consistently translate into wins.
- Sharma said that when Delhi manage to post 265, they still end up losing, implying their batting success is not being converted into positive outcomes.
- He added that when Delhi fail to even reach the 100-run mark, their star players do not seem to be “aligned,” pointing to a broader issue beyond individual form.
- He suggested Delhi need “rituals or prayers” to turn results around, framing the problem as a mix of fortune and performance rather than only skill.
Ticket demand and the match-day frenzy
Beyond cricketing talk, Sharma focused on the atmosphere around the fixture. He claimed that demand for tickets for this particular game was exceptionally high, something he had never observed at comparable levels during his decades-long association with the game.
In his words, in roughly 40 years of experience, he had never witnessed such pressure regarding match tickets as he did for the DC vs RCB encounter.
Why Sharma says Kohli still has plenty left
While responding to claims that Kohli is “finished,” Sharma was emphatic about the batter’s longevity and impact. He not only rejected the idea of Kohli being in decline, but also elevated him as an unparalleled figure in modern cricket.
- Sharma stated that for those calling Virat “finished,” he expects Kohli to continue playing for at least another five years.
- He described Kohli as the “Bindas Badshah” and “Betaaj Badshah,” underscoring his confidence and stature.
- He argued Kohli’s greatness is driven not only by performances but also by his massive popularity.
- Sharma said there has “never been a greater player” than Kohli in his view, adding that Kohli’s habit of referring to others as seniors comes from humility.
- He pointed specifically to the scale of Kohli’s fan following as evidence of his unique position.
Milestone and match details: DC vs RCB at Arun Jaitley Stadium
During the match, Kohli marked a landmark moment in IPL history. He became the first player to reach 9,000 runs in the Indian Premier League. The milestone came during Delhi Capitals’ game against DC at his home ground, Arun Jaitley Stadium—where his journey as a cricketer began.
In the chase, Delhi’s target was made to look routine as Kohli and RCB’s top order closed out the victory with time to spare. Kohli finished off the pursuit with two consecutive sixes, scoring 23 not out from 15 balls. His innings included a four and two sixes, at a strike rate of 153.33.
RCB set up the win after opting to field
RCB chose to bowl first, and their bowlers quickly tightened the contest. Josh Hazlewood produced a sharp spell of 4/12, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar backed it up with figures of 3/5. That combination restricted Delhi to 75 runs in 16.3 overs.
- Delhi were reduced to 75 in 16.3 overs after Hazlewood struck with 4/12.
- Bhuvneshwar contributed 3/5 as Delhi’s innings folded early.
- Abishek Porel top-scored for Delhi with 30.
- David Miller made 19 as Delhi’s resistance remained limited.
RCB batters seal the chase quickly
With the chase underway, RCB’s batters took control early. Jacob Bethell struck 20 off 10 deliveries, including a four and two sixes. Devdutt Padikkal added 34 not out from 13 balls, made up of three fours and three sixes. Kohli then ensured the job was finished, remaining 25 not out off 13 balls with a four and two sixes, as RCB completed the chase in 6.3 overs.
- Jacob Bethell: 20 (10 balls), with one four and two sixes.
- Devdutt Padikkal: 34* (13 balls), with three fours and three sixes.
- Virat Kohli: 25* (13 balls), with one four and two sixes.
Standings update: RCB surge, Delhi tumble
The win pushed RCB to a strong run of results, while Delhi slipped deeper after their continued struggles. RCB recorded their sixth victory in eight matches, collecting 12 points and moving to second place in the points table.
For Delhi, it was their fifth defeat of the campaign. With three wins so far, they remained seventh in the standings.
