Hazlewood-Bhuvi Storm Sinks DC as RCB Wins by 9 Wickets

In a one-sided IPL 2026 encounter at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru scripted a 9-wicket demolition of Delhi Capitals on Monday, the 39th league match. RCB's bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, triggered a collapse that left DC reeling. With this emphatic win, RCB solidified their second-place standing with 6 victories in 8 matches. DC, meanwhile, slipped to seventh after their fifth defeat in eight games, intensifying scrutiny on their strategies. DC, sent in to bat after losing the toss, folded for a paltry 75 in 16.3 overs. The innings imploded early: debutant Sahil Parkh out for zero on ball two, followed by five more wickets by the score of 8. A brief fightback came from David Miller (19 off 18) and Abhishek Porel (30 off 33, 3x4), adding 35 for the seventh wicket. Kyle Jamieson's 12 runs offered scant resistance. Hazlewood's 4/12 in 3.3 overs was mesmerizing, complemented by Bhuvneshwar's 3-fer. Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, and Krunal Pandya shared the remaining spoils. RCB's chase was a breeze, completed in 6.3 overs. Jacob Bethell's explosive 20 off 11 (1x4, 2x6) partnered Virat Kohli for 26. Then, Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli's unbroken 51 off 22 balls clinched it. Kohli 23* (15 balls, 1x4, 2x6), Padikkal 34* (13 balls, 3x4, 3x6). Jamieson claimed the only wicket. RCB's top-order fireworks and bowling masterclass signal they're peaking at the right time, while DC must regroup swiftly.