KS Bharat six | Watch: KS Bharat hits dramatic last ball six to help RCB get DC on podium in final IPL 2021 league game

In one of the most exciting finishes of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) Srikar Bharat scored a last ball six to help Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeat Delhi Capitals (DC) by seven wickets in the final competition phase of the two parties game. Avesh Khan was on the receiving end of the attack by Bharat.

With six runs needed on the final pitch, Khan threw a precious walk that went down the side of the leg. On the second attempt, the Capitals’ pacer took a full pitch that knocked Bharat to the ground. Although a Delhi Capitals outfielder stood where the shot was fired, all he could see was the bowl over his head and clear the boundary.

Bharat scored a stunning knock of 78 in 52 balls to help RCB score a morale victory against the front-runners. He hit a remarkable 111-run partnership with Glenn Maxwell to help Virat Kohli’s side take a win despite losing early wickets in the chase. Maxwell scored a fine half-century in 33 balls after AB de Villiers gave them a solid platform with a stroke of 26 in as many balls.

Earlier, Delhi Capitals managed to get a score of 164 on the board with openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan leading the charge with punches of 48 and 43 respectively. Shimron Hetymar delivered a strong close with a cameo of 22 balls that he scored 29 runs.

Both sides were guaranteed a place in the play-offs, regardless of the result in this match. DC has finished first with 20 points after winning ten games and losing four over the course of the season. They take on the Chennai Super Kings’ in the first qualifying match in Dubai on Sunday.

Meanwhile, RCB is third with 18 points after winning nine games and losing five in the competition phase. They will face Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday in the eliminator at the Sharjah Cricket Ground.

Bharat’s emergence was one of RCB’s biggest selling points in the UAE stage of IPL 2021. The wicketkeeper batsman made his IPL debut last month and has established himself as the team’s number three. So far this season, he has scored 182 points in seven games and has an average of 45.50.