Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a commanding performance to crush Delhi Capitals by nine wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Monday. The contest was effectively decided within the first three overs, thanks to a devastating new-ball spell from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
RCB's Fast Bowlers Dominate Powerplay
RCB's pace attack dismantled Delhi's batting lineup during the Powerplay, reducing them to a precarious 13 for 6 in six overs. This marked one of the lowest starts in IPL history. Hazlewood finished with impressive figures of 4 for 12, while Bhuvneshwar claimed 3 for 5 as Delhi were bowled out for a mere 75 runs in 16.3 overs. They narrowly avoided the record for the lowest IPL total, which remains with RCB's 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.
Only three Delhi batters reached double figures: Abhishek Porel (30), David Miller (19), and Kyle Jamieson (12). The team managed just eight fours and a solitary six during their innings.
RCB's Comfortable Chase
Chasing a modest target of 76, RCB openers Virat Kohli (23) and Jacob Bethell (20) provided a brisk start. The only wicket to fall in the chase was Bethell, who was dismissed after a sharp catch by T Natarajan off Jamieson's bowling. Devdutt Padikkal then took charge, scoring an unbeaten 34 as RCB completed the chase in just 6.3 overs. Kohli and Padikkal made the run chase look effortless, with Kohli finishing the match by hitting two consecutive sixes off Natarajan, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Delhi's Batting Collapse
Delhi's troubles began on the second ball of the innings when Bhuvneshwar bowled debutant Sahil Parakh with an inswinging yorker that crashed into middle stump. Hazlewood then struck twice in two balls, removing last-match centurion KL Rahul for 1 and Sameer Rizvi for a duck. Rahul mistimed a pull shot, while Rizvi edged behind while attempting to drive away from his body. Bhuvneshwar soon accounted for Tristan Stubbs (5), who edged to Padikkal at slip.
Captain Axar Patel was dismissed for 0, edging another delivery behind the stumps. Delhi found themselves at 8 for 5 in three overs and soon slipped to 9 for 6. Only one boundary came in the Powerplay, from Stubbs, while Nitish Rana (1) also fell to Hazlewood. It was fitting that Hazlewood ended the innings as well, bowling Porel to complete Delhi's collapse.
