Chawla urges DC to 'stay together' after 75-run collapse to RCB
Synopsis
Delhi Capitals' 75-run collapse to RCB is a crisis — but not yet a catastrophe. Piyush Chawla's intervention signals the franchise is acutely aware that last year's mid-season fade cost them the playoffs. With Rajasthan Royals next and the window still open, the real test is whether DC can rebuild the dressing-room morale that early-season wins suggested they had.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Capitals were bowled out for 75 against RCB at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 28 April , one of their lowest IPL totals.
DC have won just 1 of their last 6 matches after a strong start with back-to-back wins.
Piyush Chawla urged the team to stay together and avoid panic, emphasizing positive intent over recrimination.
Fielding lapses , including two dropped chances off Shreyas Iyer , have cost DC dearly in recent matches.
DC face Rajasthan Royals on 1 May in a fixture critical to their playoff hopes.
Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has urged Delhi Capitals to remain composed and resist panic following their devastating defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where they were bowled out for just 75 at their home ground, the Arun Jaitley Stadium, on Monday, 28 April. The collapse represents one of the franchise's lowest totals in IPL history and marks a sharp reversal after DC had posted their highest score of the season in their previous outing.
The collapse in context
Delhi Capitals began their IPL 2026 campaign with back-to-back wins but have since struggled to sustain momentum, managing just one victory in their last six matches. Fielding errors have compounded the slide, with costly dropped catches — including two chances off Shreyas Iyer in a recent fixture against Punjab Kings — proving decisive. Punjab went on to complete the highest successful run chase in men's T20 cricket history, a record that underscores the mounting cost of DC's inconsistency.
Chawla's message: unity over recrimination
"There will be some panic around for sure, knowing the history of Delhi Capitals. But that's not the right time now. They need to sit together, discuss about it, and they have to start fresh," Chawla told ESPNCricinfo. He stressed that the team's early-season form — before the recent downturn — proves the squad's capability has not fundamentally changed. The veteran cautioned against the internal finger-pointing that often derails teams in crisis, emphasizing that leadership must maintain a positive dressing-room environment.
History repeating
Chawla drew a parallel to the previous season, when Delhi similarly squandered a strong mid-tournament phase and finished fifth, narrowly missing the playoffs — their last knockout appearance came in 2021. He argued that dropped points in tight matches, if unaddressed, could prove fatal come the final qualification reckoning. "Later, in the business end of the tournament, when they look back at it, those two points will definitely come to haunt them if they are not qualifying," Chawla said.
The road ahead
Delhi Capitals will travel to Jaipur to face Rajasthan Royals on 1 May, a fixture that looms large in their playoff hopes. Chawla underscored that with the tournament still open and the squad's credentials proven, the immediate task is to reset mentally and play with renewed positive intent. "It's not about the skill level here right now because everyone is very skillful — that's why they are playing here — it's just about being positive," he concluded.
Point of View
Not the disease. The disease is inconsistency — they've shown they can win, then shown they can lose spectacularly, in the same tournament. Last year, the same pattern ended their season. Chawla's public intervention is telling: the franchise is worried that internal fractures, not skill gaps, will finish them. Whether the captain can hold the dressing room together over the next five matches will determine whether this collapse becomes a footnote or an epitaph.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delhi Capitals collapse to 75 against RCB?
Delhi Capitals were bowled out for 75 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 28 April, representing one of their lowest totals in IPL history. The exact bowling details were not specified in available reports, but the collapse came after they had posted their season-high total in their previous match.
What did Piyush Chawla say about Delhi's form?
Chawla urged Delhi to stay composed and avoid panic, emphasizing that the team's early-season wins proved their capability remains intact. He stressed the importance of unity in the dressing room and warned against internal blame-shifting, which often derails teams in crisis.
How have Delhi Capitals performed in IPL 2026 so far?
Delhi began with back-to-back wins but have since managed just 1 victory in their last 6 matches. Fielding errors, including two dropped chances off Shreyas Iyer, have compounded their struggles and cost them in tight contests.
When is Delhi Capitals' next match?
Delhi Capitals will face Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on 1 May. This fixture is considered pivotal to their playoff qualification hopes.
Did Delhi miss the playoffs last season?
Yes, Delhi Capitals finished fifth in IPL 2025, narrowly missing the playoffs. A similar mid-tournament fade after a strong start cost them qualification, with their last playoff appearance in 2021.
