New Delhi: Delhi Capitals suffered a stunning batting collapse, getting bowled out for just 75 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, leaving skipper Axar Patel visibly shaken after a second heavy defeat in less than 48 hours.

Coming on the back of their inability to defend 264 against Punjab Kings, Delhi’s dramatic downfall raised serious concerns about their form and mental resilience as the Indian Premier League playoff race intensifies.

Powerplay collapse seals Delhi’s fate

Delhi’s innings never got going after a disastrous start that saw them reduced to 9 for 6 inside the powerplay. Bhuvneshwar Kumar exploited early swing conditions brilliantly, while Josh Hazlewood executed short-ball tactics to perfection.

The combination proved too much for Delhi’s top order, resulting in the lowest total of the season. Bengaluru chased down the target comfortably, sealing a dominant nine-wicket victory.

Axar Patel: “Even I don’t know what happened”

A visibly perplexed Axar admitted he had no clear explanation for the collapse.

“Even I don’t know what happened. That’s why they say you have to be on your toes in cricket. We have to move on from this match,” he said after the game.

Reflecting on recent setbacks, Axar pointed to missed opportunities that may have hurt the team’s momentum, including dropped catches and crucial moments in earlier matches.

“You can look back and say things could have been different, but there is no room for ifs and buts. You have to stay positive and take the learnings,” he added.

Bowling brilliance drives RCB’s dominance

While Delhi faltered, RCB executed their plans with precision. Hazlewood, who dismissed key batters including KL Rahul and Nitish Rana, credited early conditions and teamwork.

“There was enough there in the first six overs. Once the ball got soft, it became easier, but early on it was tough for batters,” Hazlewood explained.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar also admitted surprise at how the pitch behaved after a high-scoring game previously.

“Even I am surprised the way the wicket played. Credit to Bhuvi and Hazlewood—they hit the right areas and got early wickets,” he said.

Delhi’s worrying slide continues

The defeat highlights deeper issues for Delhi Capitals, particularly their inconsistency. Despite having a strong batting line-up featuring David Miller and others, their inability to handle pressure situations has cost them dearly.

Back-to-back losses—first failing to defend a massive total and then collapsing for 75—have significantly dented their playoff hopes.

Conclusion

For Delhi Capitals, the challenge now is not just technical but psychological. Recovering from two heavy defeats in quick succession will require a reset in approach and mindset.

For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, however, this emphatic win reinforces their status as one of the most balanced sides this season.

As the tournament progresses, Delhi must find answers quickly—or risk their campaign slipping away beyond recovery.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)