Royal Challengers Bangalore qualified for the play-offs of the Indian Premier League after their last league match against Delhi Daredevils
was called off due to heavy rains.
In a rain-interrupted game, another round of heavy downpour stopped the proceedings in the second over of Bangalore's run-chase when they were two for no loss while chasing 188 for victory at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
Finally the penultimate round robin league encounter was called off at 7:35 pm (IST), handing the Bangalore outfit a place in the play-offs with 16 points.
However, it also meant that winner of the final round robin game - between the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad - would pip them to the second spot, and consequently get two shots at the final.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock's early blitzkrieg and solid batting from captain JP Duminy propelled Delhi Daredevils to a competitive 187 for five after being asked to bat.
De Kock hit nine fours and three sixes during his 39-ball-69, his second half century - in three matches - this season.
The South African blazed to his half-century in 30 balls and was involved in an opening stand of 55 with Shreyas Iyer (20 off 18 balls).
After the departure of Iyer, De Kock and Duminy combined forces to take the total to 110 in 11.2 balls at the packed Chinnaswamy stadium.
If De Kock's innings was all about splendid batsmanship, Duminy's was elegance personified.
The Delhi captain decorated his 43-ball unbeaten innings of 67 with four boundaries and three huge hits over the fence.
However, Delhi were guilty of losing their way in the middle of their innings.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli made right bowling changes and reaped rewards. Harshal Patel snapped up the wickets of Iyer and Kedar Jadhav (0) while giving away 30 runs in four overs, while the other two wickets were claimed by leggie Yuzuvendra Chahal, who claimed the wickets of De Kock and an out-of-form Yuvraj Singh (11).
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