Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar dismantle Delhi Capitals

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3 for 5) and Josh Hazlewood (4 for 12) produced a devastating new-ball exhibition as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru handed Delhi Capitals an embarrassing home defeat. Just 48 hours after featuring in a 264-plays-265 thriller against PBKS, Delhi were bowled out for just 75, losing six wickets for eight runs inside the Powerplay as the contest ended before it settled.

RCB chased comfortably to move to 12 points from eight games, continuing their march towards another playoff appearance.

Brief scores: Delhi Capitals 75 in 16.3 overs (Abhishek Porel 30; Josh Hazlewood 4-12, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-5) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 77/1 in 6.3 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 34*, Virat Kohli 23*) by 9 wickets.

Power cut in the Powerplay

Delhi Capitals crashed to 8 for 6 after just 23 balls as RCB unleashed a ruthless new-ball spell.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar found almost three degrees of swing, and debutant Sahil Parakh was bowled by an inswinging yorker. Hazlewood hurried KL Rahul with a short ball that ballooned off the top edge. Sameer Rizvi lasted one ball, edging behind. Bhuvneshwar then had Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel nicking off in the same over, while Hazlewood bounced out Nitish Rana.

At 8 for 6, Delhi flirted with unwanted history. Their 13 for 6 became the lowest six-over score ever recorded in the league.

How did Capitals even reach 75?

Impact Substitute Abhishek Porel fought for a spirited 30 and was the last man out, yorked by Hazlewood. David Miller chipped in with 19 before miscuing off Rasikh Dar.

A dust storm swept across the stadium, adding drama. Suyash Sharma took 1 for 7 from four overs, while Krunal Pandya returned 1 for 9.

Any hiccup in the chase?

None. Jacob Bethell set the tone with two sixes, one launched 104 metres. Devdutt Padikkal tore into Kyle Jamieson for 21 in one over. Jamieson and Dushmantha Chameera were drafted in to strengthen the seam attack but found neither movement nor menace. Jamieson conceded 42 from three overs.

Padikkal blazed 34 off 13 balls, while Virat Kohli closed with a pair of sixes, sealing the chase with 81 deliveries unused.

RCB face Gujarat Titans on Thursday (April 30). Delhi face Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur the next day.