After KL Rahul’s record-breaking 152 not out against Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals were dealt a dramatic reversal on Monday, collapsing to 75 all out against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Rahul himself, who had been in the headlines for the highest individual score by an Indian in the IPL, was dismissed for just 1, and Delhi’s top-order struggled to even reach double figures as RCB completed a stunning nine-wicket win.
Key takeaways
- KL Rahul, fresh off 152* versus Punjab Kings, was dismissed for 1 in Delhi Capitals’ clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Not a single batter in Delhi’s top six managed double-digit scores, leaving the chase out of reach early.
- Delhi slipped to 13/6 in the Powerplay, the lowest IPL figure for that stage of an innings.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took three wickets each to dismantle Delhi’s batting order.
- Delhi opened with Sahil Parakh, who faced Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first over and was out on the second ball.
- Axar Patel linked the collapse to hesitation following the previous match, while also calling it “bad luck.”
Delhi’s Powerplay collapse at Arun Jaitley Stadium
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals were dismissed for only 75, losing six wickets within their opening four overs and surrendering the match before the innings could properly get going. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s bowlers ensured the knock never gained momentum, delivering a turnaround that culminated in a nine-wicket victory for RCB.
The damage began immediately, with Delhi finding themselves at 13/6 during the Powerplay. That tally marked the lowest total ever recorded in an IPL Powerplay phase. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood were central to the rout, each claiming three wickets and leaving Delhi unable to build any meaningful partnerships.
Sahil Parakh’s first-ball opportunity and the reaction
Delhi backed Sahil Parakh as an opener for this game. Parakh faced Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the opening over and was removed on the second ball, an outcome that quickly drew criticism.
Former India batter Dodda Ganesh weighed in on the debate, noting that Rahul was blamed for exposing the debutant right from ball one. Ganesh argued that Parakh “is no tail-ender” and suggested the team would not have chosen him to open if he were not seen as a genuine batter. He posted that he could not understand the negativity directed at KL Rahul around the decision to promote Parakh at the start of the innings.
Axar Patel’s post-match explanation: bad luck and hesitation
Delhi skipper Axar Patel described the defeat as a mix of “bad luck” and the mental pressure created by their prior result. He pointed to the previous outing against Punjab Kings, when Delhi failed to defend 264/2. Axar suggested that the earlier disappointment may have created a hesitancy that proved decisive this time around.
Speaking after the match, Axar said that, coming off the previous game, it felt as if the team could repeat a similar level of dominance. However, he felt Delhi couldn’t defend back-to-back performances, which influenced their mindset. He reiterated that it was bad luck, while also stressing the inability of any batter to settle.
Axar added that wickets were falling in quick bursts—often on one or two balls at a time—so no batter could truly get set. He summed it up by saying Delhi lost six wickets in roughly 15–16 deliveries and urged the side to move on from the day’s outcome.
Why RCB’s attack proved decisive
Axar also highlighted the conditions and the threat posed by the RCB bowlers. He noted that none of the batters found rhythm, and the team lacked a workable response to the movement and bounce generated by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. The combination of swing and lift meant even international-calibre batters and promising younger players from Delhi surrendered without a clear Plan B.
The contrast with Delhi’s 264/2 versus Punjab Kings
The context of the reversal was stark. In Delhi’s earlier match against Punjab Kings, KL Rahul produced a record-breaking 152 not out and Nitish Rana struck 91, helping Delhi reach 264/2. On Monday, the same team’s momentum vanished as both Rahul and Rana were dismissed by Josh Hazlewood, with the ball moving sharply as it hovered and threatened the batters.
Axar’s assessment of the conditions reflected that swing and bounce had a major influence on the outcome, turning the chase into a situation Delhi could not manage—both tactically and mentally—leading to the collapse to 75 all out.
