Hazlewood, Bhuvi's new-ball onslaught leaves DC reeling; Padikkal hails bowling duo
Synopsis
Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar didn't just bowl—they suffocated. Four wickets and three wickets respectively in the powerplay, pinning Delhi Capitals to 75, the season's lowest. Padikkal's post-match insight reveals the real story: when two world-class new-ball operators click in tandem, T20 batting becomes a guessing game. Kohli's 9,000-run milestone was almost a footnote to the bowling clinic.
Key Takeaways
Josh Hazlewood took 4 for 12 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed 3 for 5 against Delhi Capitals on 27 April 2026 .
Delhi Capitals restricted to 75 , the lowest total of IPL 2026 season.
RCB chased the target with 81 balls to spare .
Devdutt Padikkal scored 34 not out ; Virat Kohli made 23 not out and crossed 9,000 IPL runs .
Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar picked three wickets each in the powerplay, setting the match's tone.
Devdutt Padikkal, the left-handed batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on 27 April credited the team's new-ball attack of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for dismantling Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2026 encounter, emphasising how their early dominance in the power-play dictated the match's trajectory. Hazlewood's 4-12 and Bhuvneshwar's 3-5 restricted DC to 75, the season's lowest total, which RCB overhauled with 81 balls remaining.
The bowling masterclass
The two pacers claimed three wickets each during the opening six overs, preventing Delhi Capitals from ever gaining a foothold. This early collapse set the stage for a one-sided chase. "I think it was great to see the way we bowled in those first six overs," Padikkal said post-match. "Those two are so good with the new ball. And when you have that from both ends, I think the pressure on the batting side is immense, and that really showed today."
Slip-fielding intensity
Padikkal, stationed in the slips during the bowling spell, reflected on the relentless quality. "I was expecting a catch every ball, and that's not something you would say in a T20 game. But the way those two are bowling, every ball is an opportunity," he added. On his own slip-catching technique, he attributed improvement to repetition and timing. "When I started doing slip fielding initially in my career, I wasn't really good at it. But as you do it more often, I think you get better at it. And it's all about picking the ball as early as you can and making sure your hands are soft."
Swift chase, clinical finish
Padikkal remained unbeaten on 34, while Virat Kohli, who crossed the 9,000-run milestone in IPL history and became the first batter to reach that landmark, scored an unbeaten 23. The batter underscored the importance of capitalising on a low target. "Definitely, I think when you have a total like that on the board, it's important that we try and finish it off as soon as possible. Once Jacob Bethell started the way he did, then it was pretty easy from there."
Season context
This victory extends RCB's momentum in IPL 2026, with the bowling unit now among the tournament's most threatening in the powerplay phase. The dominance of Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar has become a defining feature of the franchise's campaign, setting them apart in a competitive field.
Point of View
000 runs—it's the suffocation. When Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar bowl in tandem, they don't just take wickets; they erase batting intent. A 75-run total in T20 isn't just a collapse; it's a statement about bowling quality in a batsman-dominated format. RCB's powerplay unit is now among the tournament's most feared, and that's the edge that could define their campaign.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar's bowling figures against Delhi Capitals?
Josh Hazlewood took 4 for 12 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed 3 for 5 in RCB's dominant win on 27 April 2026. The duo picked three wickets each during the powerplay, restricting Delhi Capitals to 75.
Why is 75 significant in IPL 2026?
75 is the lowest total of the IPL 2026 season. It reflects the devastating impact of Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar's new-ball bowling, which prevented Delhi Capitals from building any momentum.
How did RCB chase down the target?
RCB chased 75 with 81 balls to spare. Devdutt Padikkal scored 34 not out while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 23. Jacob Bethell's aggressive start set the tone for a swift chase.
What milestone did Virat Kohli reach in this match?
Virat Kohli crossed the 9,000-run mark in IPL history and became the first batter to reach that landmark. He scored an unbeaten 23 against Delhi Capitals.
What did Padikkal say about slip fielding during the match?
Padikkal, fielding in the slips, said he was 'expecting a catch every ball,' attributing the high catch probability to the exceptional quality of Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar's bowling. He emphasised that picking the ball early and keeping hands soft are key to effective slip catching.
