Hazlewood, Kumar spark Delhi collapse as RCB romp to victory

Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar wreaked havoc as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru skittled out Delhi Capitals for 75 before romping to a nine-wicket victory in the IPL on Monday.

Kumar and Hazlewood took three wickets each in the first four overs to reduce Delhi to 8-6 and effectively end the game as a contest almost immediately.

Delhi avoided the tournament’s lowest-ever total of 49 and also scraped past their own low of 66 before being bowled out in 16.3 overs.

Bengaluru veteran and Delhi’s favourite son Virat Kohli, who was the star attraction in his home city, made an unbeaten 23 to guide the team home in just 6.3 overs.

Kohli hit two sixes to wrap up the game, with Devdutt Padikkal at the other end on 34.

Bengaluru, who won their first-ever IPL title last year, consolidated second place in the table behind leaders Punjab Kings.

Kumar bowled opener Sahil Parakh for a duck with the second ball of the match after Bengaluru elected to field first.

Hazlewood struck with successive balls in the next over as he took down previous-match centurion KL Rahul, for one, and Sameer Rizvi before Tristan Stubbs avoided the hat-trick ball.

Kumar dismissed Stubbs, for five, and skipper Axar Patel (0) in the next over to leave the Delhi dugout stunned by a disastrous batting performance on the same pitch they posted 264-2 in their previous match, albeit in a losing cause.

Abishek Porel and David Miller attempted to stop the rot in a stand of 35.

South Africa’s Miller made 19 before he fell to Rasikh Salam.

A dust storm then halted play for around 10 minutes.

The storm settled and Delhi debutant Kyle Jamieson hit a six to send his team past Bengaluru’s record low of 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.

Jamieson’s hit over the deep square-leg fence met with loud cheers from the home crowd but their joy was short-lived.

Hazlewood bowled Porel for 30 to wrap up Delhi’s innings.

Delhi’s South African quick Lungi Ngidi missed the game after he suffered a concussion on Saturday.

Ahead of their last home game of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings Assistant Coach Brad Haddin addressed the media to discuss the squad’s aggressive evolution and their focus on peaking at the right stage of the tournament.

Coming off a record-breaking chase in Delhi, the Punjab Kings return to their home ground with a top order that Haddin described as “on fire”.

Reflecting on the team’s form and the tactical approach for the second half of the season, the assistant coach said, “The one thing we’ve enjoyed most about coaching this group is their appetite to get better. The job is not done now; we’re halfway through the tournament.

“Tournament play is about playing your best cricket at the back end and building towards that moment. While we are playing some good cricket, there are still a lot of areas I’d like to improve on across batting, bowling, and in the field.”

Dismissing any concerns regarding the middle order’s lack of “big numbers,” Haddin attributed it to the clinical efficiency of the openers.

“Our top order has been super dynamic and has set up some games. The others haven’t had the opportunity to bat big innings because the top order has been on fire.

“But what they have done is contribute in their roles — it might not be a 70 or 80, but a quick 15 off six balls to get the momentum we need. They are doing everything the game requires.”

With 200-plus scores becoming common this season, Haddin noted that traditional economy rates are no longer the sole metric for bowling success.

“It’s very hard to look at scoring rates now with the way batsmen are hitting the ball. The ball’s going miles, and the six count is up. The one thing our bowlers have done really well is look to take wickets consistently.

“They’ve recognised the moments they need to get wickets to change momentum, and that is what has impressed us,” he added.

Agencies