DC vs RCB, 56th Match at Dubai, IPL, Oct 08 2021 - Match Result

That's all from the league stage of IPL 2021. When we see you day after tomorrow, it will be the first qualifier: between today's losers Delhi Capitals and second-place Chennai Super Kings. A terrific game today to finish proceedings. On behalf of Chandan, Thilak, Karthik and Himanshu, this is Sreshth saying goodbye.

Srikar Bharat is the Player of the Match. He says, "It was great winning on the last ball. It was an incredible feeling to finish it off. Maxwell and I were communicating in the centre well. At any point, I wasn't nervous at all. Tried to stay in the present and was looking for the opportunity in the last ball after the wide. I work on my batting against spinners. I don't believe in anything coming for free, so I work hard for it."

Virat Kohli, winning captain: "Unbelievable. It was a game we had nothing to lose but still to lose early wickets and do well against a team at the top of the table is good. We've beaten them twice this season. We knew bowlers had potential to keep things under control. The way AB and KS first batted was good. And then the partnership between Maxi and KS was amazing. We knew the reality of making second was a 163-run win, so we chose to field first. Pulling off a chase gives you a different kind of confidence going into a playoff. And we haven't chased much in the tournament, so its also important to do well batting second. You should be able to pull out anything you need on the day of the game. No. 3 hasn't been an issue at all. We wanted to give Christian some time with the bat. He was batting very well in the nets, but that's how T20 cricket goes. We took that chance, it didn't come off, but we had no issues. Bharat has given some good knocks and we knew he can step in at No. 3, bat well against spin too. I definitely think we need to be sharper in the field. We need to take the 50-50 opportunities in our way. Those runs are crucial in big games. When it comes to the playoffs, no team will give you a second chance."

Sumanth: "No Kohli, ABD or DDP firing, and yet RCB win with 7 wickets left! This is looking really good for RCB!"

AB de Villiers: "Very happy that the boys went across the line. Much needed momentum before the knockouts. We haven't always had the best of starts in the powerplay, but today we bowled well to Prithvi and Dhawan. It showed once again that there is a lot of character in the bowling unit. I'm feeling good. Not a lot of batting opportunities but I'm striking it hard. We need to up it a notch in the knockouts. We are close to our best cricket."

vikram Kunjappa: "Why isn't the presentation been showed?Yesterday match is broadcasting.Would have loved to hear bharat had to say." -- Stick around! We'll bring you all the words very shortly.

The presentation.

Rishabh Pant, losing captain: "We know how important fielding is in T20s. If you field the way we did, you deserve to lose. We also lost too many wickets while batting. But we will have to field better next time, I guess. It was difficult for the fast bowlers with the dew, but the fielding has to support the bowling unit. We are not feeling great because you want to win these kind of matches."

itzME: "How about Maxwell taking 2 and trusting Bharat to hit six for a win rather than himself for super over. "

SpiderCam: "Avesh Khan can be forgiven for lack of international exposure. But Axar Patel has been around enough. When 8 runs were needed in 2 balls, to misfield like that is criminal"

fahim mohammed: "Good learning for Avesh !!!"

Kumar: "While others are upset about missed no ball call or fielding errosrs I am just amazed and enjoying the emotions, happiness, and smiles exhibited by the RCB players screaming in to the field to celebrate! Raw emotions!"

9.40pm That wide ball from Avesh gave RCB a glimmer of hope, and Bharat has grabbed it with both hands. Maxwell hugs him, Kohli can't believe it in the pavillion. The RCB boys run out to congratulate Bharat on the effort.

RCB enter the playoffs on a winning note, and the manner in which they have won will give them some psychological boost entering the knockout. The Capitals will be disappointed on not getting the win, especially after getting Padikkal, Kohli and de Villiers early. But the imperious Maxwell and the dogged Bharat had some other plans. The Capitals will also be disappointed with their fielding effort.

Rahul Ghadge: "Wow what a match... Reminds me of Last Ball 6 from another RCB wicketkeeper Arun Kartik..." -- Oh, the Champions League T20 game!
Akram: "That shockingly casual misfield from Axar in the penultimate delivery has cost DC the game. "

Rahul: "DC have been cheated against, that chest high ball to Hetmyer was surely a no ball"

Aravind: "That final over and the last ball had the Nidahas Trophy final written all over it. Fitting that a wicket keeper batsman finished it off in style for the chasing team"

Now 4 gives a super over. Avesh to load up again.