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Delhi Capitals’ (DC) star batter KL Rahul delivered a scintillating performance on Thursday night, leading his team to a commanding six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The match not only showcased Rahul’s cricketing prowess but also sparked a wave of admiration from his wife, Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, whose heartfelt reaction went viral on social media.
Rahul, who hails from Karnataka, played a masterclass innings on his home turf, remaining unbeaten on 93 off just 53 balls. His knock, studded with seven fours and six towering sixes, anchored DC’s chase of 164 runs with ease. The victory marked DC’s fourth consecutive win this season, solidifying their position as early favourites in the tournament.
A old statement from KL Rahul
The match was a homecoming for Rahul, who has spent much of his cricketing career in Bengaluru. After hitting the winning six to seal the chase in just 17.5 overs, Rahul celebrated passionately, digging his bat into the ground like a sword and pointing to the DC badge on his jersey. He declared emphatically, “Ye mera ground hai (This is my ground),” a statement that resonated with fans and symbolized his deep connection to the venue.
At the post-match presentation, Rahul reflected on his innings and familiarity with the Chinnaswamy pitch. “It was a slightly tricky wicket, but being behind the stumps for 20 overs helped me understand how it played,” he explained. “I knew what my shots were and paced my innings accordingly. Nobody knows this ground better than me.”
Also WATCH: “This is my ground” – KL Rahul’s fiery celebration caps DC’s dominant win over RCB
Athiya Shetty’s adoration goes viral
While cricket enthusiasts lauded Rahul’s heroics, it was Athiya’s reaction that stole hearts online. The actress took to Instagram to share a picture of her husband celebrating his knock, captioning it with an affectionate “This guy! Uff.” Her post quickly garnered attention, with fans praising their bond and calling them one of India’s most beloved celebrity couples.
The couple, who tied the knot in January 2023 and recently welcomed a baby girl, have often shared glimpses of their relationship on social media. Athiya’s public admiration for Rahul’s performance added a personal touch to an already memorable night for the cricketer.
RCB vs DC: A match to remember
The game itself was a rollercoaster. RCB started strong with Phil Salt smashing 37 off 17 balls in the powerplay before DC bowlers staged a comeback. Kuldeep Yadav (2/17) and Vipraj Nigam (2/18) restricted RCB to 163/7 despite late resistance from Tim David (37 not out off 20).
In reply, DC stumbled early at 58/4 but found stability through Rahul and Tristan Stubbs (38 not out off 23). The duo stitched together an unbeaten 111-run partnership for the fifth wicket, guiding DC home with 13 balls to spare.
Rahul’s knock was not just about big hits; it was an exhibition of composure and risk management. He started cautiously before accelerating in the middle overs, including a game-changing assault on Josh Hazlewood in the 15th over that yielded 22 runs.
