Worst in Powerplay:13/6 of Delhi
The Delhi Capitals (DC) currently hold the record for the worst in powerplay performance in IPL history, scoring just 13 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 27, 2026.
Delhi Capitals (DC) folded for 75 and suffered a huge defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Delhi. Piyush Chawla said it was “not the time to panic.”Delhi Capitals (DC) were 8 for 6 in 3.5 overs, and finished the powerplay with a record IPL low of 13 for 6. They were in danger of getting bowled out for the lowest total in IPL history, but they eventually went past 49.
That was the only thing about this contest that could have possibly disappointed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who scored that 49 nine years ago at Eden Gardens. Otherwise, this was a performance of ruthless near-perfection from RCB.
At the heart of it was a new-ball display of hypnotic quality from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who bowled three overs each in the powerplay for figures of 3 for 5 and 3 for 8, respectively. This is the reason for Delhi’s worst in Powerplay.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) completed their chase of 76 against Delhi Capitals in 81 balls remaining. The second-biggest win in terms of balls to spare in the IPL.
Other performance which were Worst in Powerplay
While Delhi Capitals’ (DC) collapse to 13/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 27, 2026, is the lowest score in a completed powerplay, several other teams have faced similar nightmares of the worst in Powerplay. Aside from the records already mentioned, the Mumbai Indians (MI) recorded a dismal 17/3 against the Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in 2015 at their home ground, the Wankhede Stadium. That same season was particularly tough for batting starts, as CSK also slumped to 16/1 against both Delhi and RCB in separate matches, hampered by slow pitches and disciplined seam bowling from the likes of Zaheer Khan.
Historically, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings have also struggled on challenging surfaces. KKR was once restricted to 18/2 in 2010, and more recently in IPL 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)—usually known for explosive starts—fell to 24/4 against the Mumbai Indians after a fiery opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah. That was also the worst start in Powerplay. Technically, the absolute lowest number ever seen on the scoreboard after six overs is 2/0 by RCB against DC in 2015, but that match is often excluded from “worst batting” lists because it was abandoned due to heavy rain after only a few minutes of play. Otherwise, that may be recorded as the worst start in Powerplay.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar makes a record.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the record for the most wickets taken in the powerplay (first six overs) in IPL history, with 80 wickets. His smart swing Bowling was the main cause of Delhi’s woes and worst in Powerplay.
| Player | Powerplay Wickets | Team (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 80 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Trent Boult | 73 | Mumbai Indians |
| Deepak Chahar | 69 | Chennai Super Kings |
| Sandeep Sharma | 61 | Rajasthan Royals |
| Umesh Yadav | 58 | Gujarat Titans |
Recovery despite the worst in Powerplay
Recovering from a catastrophic and worst in powerplay in the IPL—a scenario that often sees teams stuttering at around 30-3 or lower—requires a calm, methodical approach, shifting focus from a high run-rate to rebuilding the innings through patient partnerships and smart strike rotation. Teams like the Mumbai Indians have famously overcome initial collapses, such as recovering from 17/2, by relying on their middle-order depth to construct competitive totals.
The strategy involves avoiding further panic-driven wickets in the immediate overs following the powerplay, followed by a gradual acceleration by established set batters in the final five overs, utilizing calculated aggression to turn a dismal start into a challenging score. These comeback batting performances highlight that even if a side posts one of the worst powerplay scores, the immense batting depth and T20 specialists in the middle order can still turn the tide of the match.
Context: Punjab Kings opted to bowl first. Mumbai Indians had a shaky start, losing Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma early, leaving them struggling at 17/2 and later 14/4 at one point in the chase of a similar match structure earlier, but this specific 17-ish score was during their batting innings. Mumbai Indians won by 9 runs, making 192/7 and bowling out Punjab Kings for 183. That match was held on April 18, 2024, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (Chandigarh), where MI won despite the worst in Powerplay.