Lowest Powerplay Score in IPL: The Complete History and Record Breakdown

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is most famous for its high-flying batting, massive sixes and aggressive powerplays. However, occasionally the IPL has provided us with something completely different – a catastrophic collapse of batting that is talked about for decades. An example of this occurred during IPL 2026 when the Delhi Capitals scored the least amount of runs in a powerplay in IPL history; scoring only 13 runs while losing 6 wickets, against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. In this piece, we will examine the lowest powerplay score in IPL history, the history of how this record changed hands over the years, and all the relevant information regarding the teams, players and matches that were part of these events.

What Is the Powerplay in IPL?

To find the lowest powerplay score in IPL, it would be useful to first define what is the powerplay. In T20 cricket, the initial six overs of each inning are called the powerplay. During these six overs, there are certain fielding restrictions. Only two fielders can be positioned outside of the thirty-yard circle; therefore, the batsmen should have more space to hit. The majority of IPL teams utilize the powerplay to quickly score runs and create a base for the rest of their innings. This is precisely why a low powerplay score in IPL will stand out — it contradicts the main objective of the powerplay.

The Lowest Powerplay Score in IPL: Delhi Capitals’ 13/6

The lowest powerplay score in IPL history is currently held by Delhi Capitals. On April 27, 2026, the Delhi Capitals lost all 10 of their wickets within 16.3 overs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi while playing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Although the entire game had a low total of only 75 runs, it was during the first six overs of the game that the real story took place. During those first six overs, the Delhi Capitals were reduced to a staggering 13 for 6 – a record that has since been officially recognized as the lowest powerplay score in IPL history.

The collapse was caused by a devastating new-ball spell. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar combined to bowl out Delhi Capitals from 8-6, which effectively ended the match before the end of the first six overs (the powerplay). Bhuvneshwar was particularly effective, taking important wickets at very low cost as Delhi’s top and middle order collapsed rapidly. At the end of the powerplay overs, Delhi Capitals had managed only 13 runs while losing nine of their ten available wickets. This became an instant record for the lowest powerplay total in IPL history.

The previous innings was such an historic event because it was the first time an IPL team had scored fewer runs in a single powerplay (six overs) since 2005. This was a record-breaking collapse, which makes it one of the most memorable collapses the tournament has ever seen. Another point to consider is that the previous innings still holds the title of the lowest powerplay score in IPL history — the only other such performance was recorded during a rain-curtailed match or a match called off due to inclement weather.

The Previous Record: Rajasthan Royals’ 14/2 in Cape Town

Before the collapse of the Delhi Capitals’ performance in 2026, the lowest powerplay score ever recorded in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was held by the Rajasthan Royals. In the first IPL to be held completely in South Africa in 2009, the Rajasthan Royals posted only 14 runs with two wickets lost after the first six overs when they played against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on April 18, 2009.

The conditions for bowlers in South Africa provided an advantage to swing and seam, making it difficult for the Rajasthan Royals to establish any rhythm against the accurate new-ball bowling of their opponents. This 14-run powerplay total was the benchmark used to measure what would constitute the most challenging powerplay total in the discussion regarding the lowest powerplay total in the IPL until the Delhi Capitals exceeded this total dramatically in 2026.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 14/3: The Joint Second-Lowest

While it is interesting to note that Rajasthan Royals’ previous record was matched and not broken, but 13 years after their initial achievement; in IPL 2022, Sunrisers Hyderabad was able to be held to 14/3 by Rajasthan Royals on March 29th, 2022, when they played against each other at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Therefore, there were two distinct teams (RR & SRH) that shared the title of having the lowest powerplay score in IPL history during this time frame, as each team scored 14 runs within the first 6 overs, although each team lost a different number of wickets. The sharing of the record lasted until Delhi Capitals’ performance in 2026 caused both teams to drop down the list.

Complete List: Lowest Powerplay Scores in IPL History

Below is a detailed list of the lowest powerplay scores in IPL history, which has been updated up until the 2026 season.

The table provides an explanation of why low powerplay scores are uncommon in the IPL. Teams often have 150+ total runs and hit boundaries from the first delivery, thus making collapses like the ones listed in the table memorable.

The Match That Produced the Lowest Powerplay Score in IPL in Detail

Now let’s look at how the Delhi Capitals set a new low for the power play total in IPL. Whether they were chasing or defending (depending on who won the toss), DC lost their three top-order batsmen in the first few overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, and Axar Patel for very little money.

Josh Hazlewood also picked up a wicket with the new ball. Between these two bowlers, the Delhi Capitals found themselves at 8 for 6, a situation that would be nearly impossible to imagine today in T20 cricket. At the end of the sixth over, the scoreboard showed 13 for 6, which established a new low for the power play total in IPL. Although the Delhi Capitals did fight back during the middle overs, they ultimately were bowled out for 75 runs in 16.3 overs. This was one of the lowest total scores in IPL history.

Honourable Mentions: Rain-Affected Powerplay Records

Delhi Capitals officially has the lowest powerplay score in IPL history for a complete match, however, there are two other rain-affected matches that should be mentioned separately due to non-standard playing conditions.

• Chennai Super Kings’ 11/2 against RCB in IPL 2013 was a short over match that had the mandatory powerplay last for only two overs. In those two overs, CSK could only manage 11 runs with 2 wickets lost.
• The RCB vs Delhi Daredevils (IPL 2015) match had to be called off very soon after RCB started batting. Since there wasn’t a complete powerplay played by either team, it does not qualify as the lowest powerplay score in the history of the IPL.

These examples are typically listed as foot notes and not as part of the official entry, since these conditions were not equivalent to a normal, uninterrupted 6-over power play.

Why Do Teams Record a Low Powerplay Score in IPL?

Many elements contribute to an unbelievably low powerplay score in IPL:

• The use of disciplined fast bowling involves consistent lines and lengths when using the new ball, particularly in conditions where the ball may seam or swing.
• In the first few overs, if you lose a couple of wickets rapidly, then batters will become more cautious, which will slow down the scoring even more.
• A fast bowler is greatly helped by the presence of cloudy skies or fresh green grass for the first six overs of a match.
• The use of two of the world’s best opening bowlers (as was the case when Hazlewood and Kumar bowled together in 2026) can rip through the opposition’s lineup early on.

The factors described above are exactly why we saw the lowest powerplay total ever recorded in an IPL match occur during 2026.

How the Lowest Powerplay Score in IPL Compares to the Lowest Total

It’s also important to remember that the lowest powerplay score in IPL history and the lowest completed total in IPL history are two different records. The lowest completed total in IPL history is 49 runs all out, achieved by Royal Challengers Bengaluru when they played Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 23, 2017. Delhi Capitals’ 75 runs all out in 2026, which included the lowest powerplay score in IPL history of 13 runs for 6 wickets, is a different record from the previous one. However, both matches illustrate just how rapidly a T20 innings may fall apart when the pressure is high.

Conclusion

Only several teams have had the “honor” of holding the record for the lowest powerplay score in IPL. This suggests that low powerplay scores are very uncommon in the IPL. Rajasthan Royals’ 14/2 in Cape Town in 2009, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 14/2 in 2022 and Delhi Capitals’ incredible 13/6 in 2026 all represent instances where quick bowlers capitalized on misfiring batting units. It is yet to be determined if Delhi Capitals’ record for the lowest powerplay score in IPL will remain intact over time as IPL evolves into a more aggressive batting league, or if some other team will break this record in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions