IPL 2026: Josh, Bhuvi too fast, two furious!

RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrates the wicket of DC’s Sahil Parakh in Delhi on Monday; (right) RCB’s Josh Hazlewood celebrates the wicket of DC’s Abishek Porel in Delhi on Monday. Pics/IPL

It was carnage in the capital on Monday night. It started with the second ball of the first innings when 18-year-old Sahil Parakh, making his debut for Delhi Capitals, had his middle stump flying off, courtesy a swinging Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery. What followed was a stupendous display of swing and pace bowling by Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood leaving DC shell shocked, reducing them to eight for six in just 3.5 overs. At the end of the six overs, DC were 13-6 - the lowest Powerplay score in IPL history.

Between the two pacers, Bhuvneshwar picked three for five in three overs while man of the match Hazlewood, took four for 12 in 3.3 overs, as DC were skittled for 75 (16.3 overs).

Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya

Hazlewood was a tad modest after his display. "There was a little bit there in the first six overs, which we maximised. There was a little bit up and down, maybe a bit of sideways [movement], so there was enough there to work with. The ball seemed to be skidding on quite quickly from short of a length in particular," said the Aussie.

RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya was all praise for their pace pair. "It was unbelievable. Again, world-class bowlers. Seeing them operate from both ends, they bowled 18-18 balls in the Powerplay. In the league, we talk a lot about how batters are making 200-250 runs, sixes and fours are being hit everywhere, and suddenly a match comes where you see two world-class bowlers doing their thing, where the wicket was not that bad," said Krunal.

RCB skipper Patidar also praised his pacers. "The way they hit those areas and got that bit of swing earlier, I think that was tremendous to see," he said.

DC skipper Axar Patel was understandably distraught after suffering yet another big loss, following their six-wicket defeat to Punjab at the same venue two days ago, where the visitors comfortably chased down a massive 265-run target with seven balls to spare. "Honestly, two days ago the wicket looked similar, so our batters felt it would play the same. But today, with the wind and the day-night conditions, there was more swing," said Axar.

13-6
DC's score in the Powerplay - the lowest in IPL history

Three
No. of wickets claimed by Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood in the Powerplay - the first time two bowlers have taken three each in the first six overs of an innings

81
No. of balls remaining in RCB's chase - the second highest in a successful IPL chase behind 87 balls in MI's win over KKR in 2008