75 All Out: Delhi record worst powerplay in IPL history; RCB chase down target in just 6.3 overs

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL by a landslide. Chasing a modest target of 76 runs, RCB dismantled the DC bowling attack, reaching the total in just 6.3 overs to win by nine wickets.

Batting first, Delhi Capitals were caught in a whirlwind and were bowled out for a meager 75 runs in 16.3 overs. The RCB bowlers dominated from the start, as Delhi managed only 13 runs for the loss of six wickets during the powerplay, marking the worst powerplay score in IPL history.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar set the tone immediately by dismissing Sahil Parakh on the second ball of the match. Josh Hazlewood maintained the pressure by bowling KL Rahul and Sameer Rizvi in his opening over. The collapse deepened when Tristan Stubbs and captain Axar Patel both fell to Bhuvneshwar in the third over. Nitish Rana was dismissed shortly after, leaving Delhi six wickets down before the powerplay had even concluded. Only Abhishek Porel, who scored 30, and David Miller with 19, offered any resistance to drag the total to 75. Hazlewood finished with a clinical four-wicket haul, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three.

RCB opted for a blitzkrieg approach to the small target. While Jacob Bethell was dismissed for 20, Devdutt Padikkal took full control at number three. Padikkal dominated the DC attack, scoring a rapid 34 runs off just 13 balls, a knock that included two sixes and two fours.

Virat Kohli remained composed and unbeaten on 23 runs off 15 balls, sealing the victory with a massive six on the third ball of the seventh over. RCB had already amassed 65 runs by the end of their power play and needed only a few more deliveries to finalise the result. With this dominant performance in both departments, RCB firmly asserts their strength at the top of the points table.