Lowest powerplay total recorded in IPL
Delhi Capitals slumped to 13 for 6 at the end of the powerplay, the lowest total in the first six overs in IPL history. The previous lows were, 14/3 – SRH vs RR, Pune, 2022. The top six batters combined for just seven runs, the second lowest aggregate in such a phase.
It was also the first instance of two bowlers taking three wickets each inside a single powerplay.
Complete collapse under sustained pressure
The innings never recovered from the early damage. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood kept a tight line outside off and forced errors. Sahil Parakh was bowled on debut, KL Rahul top-edged a pull, and Sameer Rizvi edged behind. Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel followed, both falling while playing away from the body.
Nitish Rana, coming off a strong previous outing, managed just one before falling to a short ball from Hazlewood. By 3.5 overs, Delhi were 8 for 6. From there, Abishek Porel and David Miller tried to hold on, but scoring remained difficult. The approach from Delhi’s batters did not match the conditions or the bowling.
Toss call and team changes shape game
Royal Challengers Bengaluru chose to bowl first, a decision that paid off immediately. Delhi Capitals had brought in Kyle Jamieson and Dushmantha Chameera to cover for Lungi Ngidi.
RCB’s new-ball pair executed a simple plan and stuck to it. The surface offered some movement early, but it was discipline rather than conditions that made the difference. Delhi’s changes did little to settle them, and the match quickly moved away within the first six overs.