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Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced one of the most devastating opening spells in IPL history to dismantle Delhi Capitals and secure a dominant nine wicket victory. What unfolded at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday was a complete collapse triggered by relentless pace and precision bowling that ended the contest almost before it began.

RCB’s new ball duo of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar turned the Powerplay into a nightmare for the home side. Delhi Capitals were blown away for just 13 for 6 inside the first three overs as wickets tumbled in a ruthless burst of control and movement. Hazlewood finished with 4 for 12 while Bhuvneshwar delivered a magical spell of 3 for 5.

Delhi Capitals collapse under relentless pressure

The collapse began immediately. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck with a pinpoint inswinging yorker to remove debutant Sahil Parakh and expose Delhi’s fragile top order. Josh Hazlewood followed with double strikes removing KL Rahul and Sameer Rizvi off consecutive deliveries as panic set in.

Tristan Stubbs tried to counter but only managed a brief resistance before falling to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at slip. Axar Patel then fell without scoring as RCB tightened their grip further. Nitish Rana also failed to survive the pressure and edged behind leaving Delhi completely broken at 8 for 5 and soon 9 for 6.

The home side could only manage 75 in 16.3 overs with Abhishek Porel top scoring with 30. David Miller contributed 19 while Kyle Jamieson added 12 but there was little resistance against a relentless RCB attack. Only eight fours and one six came from the entire innings.

Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar lead the demolition act

Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar operated with perfect discipline and control exploiting seam movement and bounce. Hazlewood’s early strikes removed key batters while Bhuvneshwar’s swing bowling ensured no recovery was possible. By the end of the Powerplay Delhi had been reduced to survival mode with no answers to the movement or pace on offer.

Hazlewood eventually wrapped up the innings by dismissing Porel as RCB completed a clinical bowling performance that left the opposition completely stunned.

RCB cruise in chase led by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal

Chasing a modest target of 76 RCB openers Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell started confidently. Bethell contributed 20 before falling to a brilliant catch by T Natarajan off Kyle Jamieson. Devdutt Padikkal then joined Kohli and ensured there were no further hiccups.

Padikkal played a fluent unbeaten knock of 34 while Kohli remained composed with 23 not out. The duo guided RCB home comfortably in just 6.3 overs sealing a dominant nine wicket win.

Kohli finished the match in style with back-to-back sixes off Natarajan as the chase ended with ease.

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