The sheer scale of Delhi Capitals’ Powerplay collapse stunned even Rajat Patidar, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru dismantled the hosts in their IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. DC crumbled to a shocking 13/6 inside the first six overs, with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar producing a devastating new-ball spell.
The collapse set an unwanted record, marking the lowest Powerplay total in IPL history. It surpassed the previous low of 14/2 recorded by the Rajasthan Royals back in 2009. The slide began almost instantly when debutant Sahil Parakh was dismissed for a duck off just the second ball, setting the tone for a nightmare start.
At one stage, the damage was so severe that DC’s top six had managed a combined total of just seven runs. Some resistance from Abishek Porel, who scored 30, and David Miller’s 19 ensured Delhi avoided an even more humiliating total, but the early damage proved irreversible.
Reacting after the match, Rajat Patidar admitted even he was surprised by how dramatically things unfolded. “Even I am surprised the way wicket played and all credit goes to bowlers, the way they have bowled, especially in the powerplay.” He reserved special praise for Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, highlighting their discipline and execution with the new ball.
“I think the way they hit those areas and got that a bit of swing earlier, I think that was tremendous to see.” Interestingly, despite the dominance, RCB stuck to a clear pre-match strategy and pulled both pacers out after their initial burst. “We had planned earlier that if we got early wickets then we’ll go three-three overs each and see after how the wicket is behaving.”
Rajat Patidar also emphasised the importance of consistency and team contribution as RCB build momentum in IPL 2026.
“It’s very important to follow your routines because it’s still a long way to go.” He added that different players stepping up has been a major positive for the side, reducing reliance on individuals.
Traditionally known for their batting strength, RCB now appear to have developed a well-rounded unit. “I think if you are playing T20 cricket on the flat surface… you should have a good bowling unit. Only bowlers can make you win the championship,” Patidar concluded.
