NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals endured a horror show at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the “curse of April 27” returned to IPL conversation after 15 years. The date already carried an ugly memory from 2011, when Kochi Tuskers Kerala were folded to 11 for 6, and on Monday DC managed to recreate the same kind of humiliation—only with an even sharper and more dramatic collapse—against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Historic collapse as Bengaluru’s pace took control
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fast bowlers delivered a relentless spell that flipped the contest in seconds. DC were reduced to 8 for 6 within the first four overs, and they finished the powerplay on 13 for 6—an all-time low for a powerplay total in a completed IPL match.
- DC’s first-six-overs slide: 8 for 6 after four overs
- Powerplay finish: 13 for 6 at the end of the 1–6 over phase
- Impact: lowest-ever powerplay score in a full IPL match (completed innings)
- How it matches an unwanted landmark: equalled the record for most wickets lost (six) in the first six overs of an IPL innings, matching Kochi’s unwanted feat from 2011
Over-by-over damage in the opening phase
The destruction started immediately, with the very first over setting the tone. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck with a searing inswinging yorker to send debutant Sahil Parakh back for a two-ball duck. Bengaluru then tightened the screws further as Josh Hazlewood struck twice in back-to-back deliveries, removing KL Rahul and Sameer Rizvi.
Bhuvneshwar came back to add more pressure, dismissing Tristan Stubbs and then captain Axar Patel in quick succession. Hazlewood capped the carnage by adding Nitish Rana to the list. By just 3.5 overs, DC were staring at an unbelievable 8 for 6, with their top order dismantled by pinpoint seam movement.
- 1st over: Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismisses Sahil Parakh (two-ball duck)
- Next phase: Hazlewood removes KL Rahul and Sameer Rizvi in consecutive deliveries
- Follow-up: Bhuvneshwar dismisses Tristan Stubbs, then Axar Patel
- Acceleration: Hazlewood adds Nitish Rana
- By 3.5 overs: DC at 8 for 6
Records tumble as the powerplay became a disaster
DC’s collapse rewrote multiple unwanted record books. Their 13 for 6 in the powerplay is now the lowest powerplay total in a completed IPL innings, taking the mark away from Rajasthan Royals’ 14 for 2 in 2009. The result also places DC alongside Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011) for the most wickets lost in the first six overs of an innings.
While other entries have featured on the list of infamy—Delhi Daredevils posting 24 for 6 in 2017, RCB recording 28 for 6 in 2014, and Sunrisers Hyderabad ending up with 29 for 6 in 2013—DC’s most recent meltdown stands apart for both the magnitude of the collapse and the speed at which it unfolded.
Lowest Powerplay (1–6 overs) totals in IPL
- 13/6 — DC vs RCB, Delhi, 2026
- 14/2 — RR vs RCB, Cape Town, 2009
- 14/3 — SRH vs RR, Pune, 2022
- 15/2 — CSK vs KKR, Kolkata, 2011
- 16/1 — CSK vs DD, Raipur, 2015
- 16/1 — CSK vs RCB, Chennai, 2019
Bengaluru’s captain bowls first as catches add to the misery
Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar chose to bowl first, pointing to favourable conditions for chasing. The plan paid off immediately, with the bowling attack executing the strategy with precision. The pressure was compounded by sharp fielding moments, including catches taken by Jitesh Sharma and Devdutt Padikkal, which only deepened DC’s trouble.
For Delhi Capitals, it was a collapse that will be remembered for the wrong reasons—another reminder of how quickly T20 fortunes can turn, especially on a date that now carries an ominous legacy.
