In a match that will be talked about for years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced one of the most one-sided performances in IPL history at Delhi on April 27, 2026. Josh Hazlewood was simply unplayable, returning a devastating 4/12 to skittle Delhi Capitals for a catastrophic 75 all out in just 16.3 overs — with 6 wickets falling in the powerplay alone. RCB then cruised to victory in 6.3 overs, winning by 9 wickets with an almost unbelievable 81 balls remaining. It was a result that defied comprehension, and a performance from Hazlewood and RCB's bowling attack that will stand as one of the defining moments of IPL 2026.

Delhi Capitals Innings: The Most Catastrophic Powerplay in IPL History

There are no adequate words to describe what happened to Delhi Capitals in the powerplay. Six wickets — six — fell in the first six overs while only 13 runs were scored. A powerplay of 13/6. In the IPL. Against a side chasing a top-four finish. It was a batting collapse of historic proportions, a procession of dismissals that left the Arun Jaitley Stadium stunned into disbelief and the Delhi dressing room in absolute ruins.

Josh Hazlewood was the chief executioner, operating with the kind of pace, seam movement and clinical precision that reminded the world why he is one of the finest red-ball and white-ball bowlers of his generation. His spell tore through Delhi's batting order before most spectators had settled into their seats. An RCB DRS bowling review in over 2.3 for Axar Patel's wicket was struck down — one of the rare moments where Delhi caught any kind of break — and the impact substitution of Abishek Porel for Sahil Parakh in over 2.4 reflected the desperation already coursing through the Delhi camp.

By the first strategic timeout Delhi were 43/7 in 9 overs — a scoreline that beggared belief. A rain delay at that point briefly halted the carnage, but when play resumed, the result was never in doubt. A Delhi DRS batting review for KA Jamieson's wicket in over 12.3 was struck down on umpire's call, denying them even that small mercy. By the second strategic timeout Delhi were 71/9 in 15.3 overs, only Abishek Porel showing any fight whatsoever with a gutsy 26 — the top score of an innings where the next highest contribution barely registered.

Delhi were eventually bowled out for 75 in 16.3 overs — their lowest total in IPL history and one of the lowest totals ever recorded in the competition. Hazlewood finished with 4/12, a spell of almost otherworldly quality that had RCB's players and fans celebrating before the innings was even halfway through.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Chase: Over Before It Began

Chasing 76, RCB needed 6.3 overs to complete formalities. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal — once again the most dangerous opening partnership in the competition — put on a blazing 50-run second-wicket stand in just 22 balls, reaching 50 in 4.3 overs. RCB crossed the target at 77/1 in 6.3 overs — winning by 9 wickets with 81 balls to spare.

The chase was barely worth describing. The match had been won and lost in Delhi's batting innings, and Kohli and Padikkal merely confirmed what everyone in the stadium had known since the seventh over. The one wicket that fell was the only footnote in an otherwise complete, utter and total RCB dominance.

With this victory, RCB consolidate their position in the IPL 2026 top four and send a powerful message to every team remaining in the competition. Hazlewood's match-winning spell was the kind of performance that wins tournaments — and on this evidence, RCB look more capable than ever of going all the way.

Key Moments

  • Delhi's 13/6 powerplay is arguably the worst six overs by a batting side in IPL history.
  • Hazlewood's 4/12 was the defining bowling performance of IPL 2026 and one of the greatest spells in the tournament's history.
  • Abishek Porel's 26 was the only innings of any note in a Delhi total of 75 — a lonely, brave effort in a hopeless cause.
  • The Kohli-Padikkal 50-run stand in 22 balls made the chase look like a warm-up session.
  • 81 balls remaining at the end — the largest winning margin by balls in RCB's IPL history.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are flying in IPL 2026 and arrive at the business end of the tournament in ominous form. Delhi Capitals face a severe crisis of confidence after this historic humiliation — a result that will haunt their campaign and potentially their net run rate for the remainder of the season.