Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener Philip Salt came up with a much-needed 63-run knock off 38 deliveries to give the side some stability as the rest of the top-batting order failed to perform against the Delhi Capitals. Both sides came against each other on Saturday at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the defending champions’ 100th game at the venue. The game saw visiting skipper Axar Patel win the toss and invite the rivals to put the score on the board. The defending champions, who have seemingly continued their form from the previous season, failed to perform against the Delhi-based team.

The reigning champions lost their former skipper and Salt’s fellow opener in the sixth over itself at just 19 runs. It was just the beginning and wickets kept falling for the Bengaluru boys, who donned their iconic Green jerseys during the game. While players kept changing on the other side, Salt stood firm on one end. He hit crucial 63 runs off 38 deliveries, recording his 12th IPL fifty in the last 40 innings, and second of the season.

Phil Salt’s Knock ends at 63 after Phil Salt catches him out off Kuldeep Yadav delivery

Just when the hosts seemingly found stability in the game, Salt was forced to walk back at 63 runs off a Kuldeep Yadav delivery. Tristan Stubbs caught him out in the long-off, reducing the IPL 2025 winners at 105 with the loss of three wickets in 10.4 overs. After Salt’s wicket, they lost their skipper Rajat Patidar at just eight runs off four deliveries, and later, Tim David at just 26 runs.

However, David reached his 1000 IPL runs, and is one of the top five bowlers to take fewest balls to reach the milestone. He utilized 560 balls for the same, with only Andre Russell sitting above him at 545 deliveries. Travis Head, Phil Salt and Heinrich Klassen are seeded below him at 575, 575, and 594 balls, respectively.

As of writing, RCB were batting at 149 for six wickets with Jitesh Sharma batting at 5 and Romario Shepherd batting at 1 off four balls.