Lowest Powerplay Score in IPL: Complete History and Analysis

We all know the Indian Premier League for aggressive batting, gigantic sixes, and blazing starts, but once in a while, some team in some season is startled by a complete batting collapse within the power-play overs. As soon as this happens, cricket fans and statisticians start finding the lowest score in IPL History in powerplays. It is that record of the most abject batting collapses in the history of the tournament, when bowlers were simply too much for batters, who could barely get off the blocks.

Here, we will analyse the lowest powerplay score in IPL, see the entire list of the horrible powerplay scores, identify the conditions and the spell of bowling that prompted these collapses and address the most asked questions the fans have regarding this unwanted record.

What Is the Powerplay in IPL?

Now before we proceed with the information about the lowest powerplay score in IPL, let us understand what actually powerplay is. Powerplay is the first six overs of an innings in T20 cricket. At this point, there are no restrictions on the field only two fielders are allowed for the 30-yard circle, which, on paper, theoretically means batting teams will score freely and take more risks.

The powerplay has become an attacking phase for most of the IPL teams with teams amassing 50-plus runs in these 6 overs. Yet, for some days, conditions of the pitch, swing, seam movement and disciplined bowling takes over, and we inherit the most ridiculous totals in the history of the tournament. It is these rare instances of collapses that result in the lowest powerplay score in IPL record.

The Current Record: Lowest Powerplay Score in IPL History

Delhi Capitals has the record for the lowest score in the IPL history in the powerplay till now and that was in the last IPL season. Though, DC were bundled for a paltry 75‐odd to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, the damage happened inside the powerplay itself in which Delhi Capitals had crumbled to 13 run, 6 wickets down. This is the lowest powerplay score ever recorded in a completed match in IPL.

At one stage, Delhi Capitals were placed at 8/6, killing the tie even before the powerplay ended. Bowling friendly conditions were used to good effect, and the Delhi Capitals never did recover from that early onslaught. The 17-year record was finally broken in this innings, and stands as the lowest total ever when anyone speaks of IPL/Powerplay score.

Complete List of Lowest Powerplay Scores in IPL

This table shows in detail the lowest powerplay score in IPL history, along with the match, venue and edition that it happened.

It is notable how in the year which recorded the dyspothetic lowest powerplay score in IPL history, the record of lowest in the IPL since 2009 was broken this year. This also serves to show Chennai Super Kings that despite being one of the most consistent teams in IPL history, they have appeared on this list on multiple occasions as a team making slow and disastrous starts.

Breaking Down the Top Collapses

1. Delhi Capitals – 13/6 vs RCB, 2026

This is still the lowest powerplay score ever in IPL Delhi Capitals were ripped apart by disciplined fast bowling as wickets fell at regular intervals. The duo exploited early movement and also extracted unpredictable bounce, exposing the entire Delhi Capitals’ top and middle-order. On a horrendous start DC went on to score only 75 all out in 16.3 overs.

2. Rajasthan Royals – 14/2 vs RCB, 2009

This was deemed the lowest powerplay score in IPL history for almost 17 years. Played in conditions perfectly in favour of swing and seam bowlers, it was a gloomy day in Cape Town for the only South African season of the IPL. Rajasthan Royals never got going and this total stayed as the lowest-ever score until the demise of another Delhi Capitals batting line-up, which was even more spectacular, in 2026.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 14/3 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2022

That was in Pune when 14 of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their chase against Rajasthan Royals (RR) also equalled the then-lowest powerplay score in IPL history. While the Royals’ bowlers stuck to tight lines and lengths, the Sunrisers went down at regular intervals, never finding their rhythm to swing the bat.

4. Chennai Super Kings – 15/2 vs KKR, 2011

In fact, even one of the most successful franchises in IPL history`() is on this list. Chennai Super Kings In the powerplay, a team is not only allowed to bowl four instead of 10 powerplay overs that leaves 15 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2011.

5. Chennai Super Kings – 16/1 vs Delhi Daredevils, 2015

Chennai Super Kings once again featured in the very bottom of the lowest powerplay score in IPL when they managed to get just 16 runs against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in Raipur. The bowling lines were tight, there was no option for early boundaries.

Why Do Teams Score Low in the Powerplay?

There are a variety of reasons why a team ends up registering one of the lowest powerplay score in IPL final scores:

• Pitch and Weather conditions: If the skies are overcast and there is moisture in the pitch or the wicket is fresh, quicks can get all the assistance they require, and once again stroke play becomes very hazardous.
• Death bowling : Bowlers bowl one good area of the wicket and give no width or length to the batter in an overs and find it impossible to free hit with field up.
• Lost wickets, panic mode: One of the greatest reasons behind a slow run rate is when the team loses a few early wickets, the new batters are much more careful and take their time, thereby increasing the overall time to get runs.
• Inflexibility: There have been times when the teams that are built for cavalier batting fail to change their methods when conditions are not favorable for stroke play which leads to entire collapse.
• Quality new ball attacks: Quite a few of the above mentioned matches saw batsman-crumbling new-ball bowling attacks but those aren’t all of ’em.

What Is Considered a Low Powerplay Score in IPL?

The lowest powerplay score in IPL history is just 13 runs, but with general T20 cricket standards, a powerplay score below 30 runs is regarded as a poor start. In IPL, average powerplay scores hover between 45 to 55 runs a match, which indicates how far below average these record-low totals are. However, it is both amusing and surprising to note that every team to have played the IPL thus far, has a recorded a powerplay score of less than 30 at least once in the tournament history, indicating that even batting line-ups that should be a joke can play one’s from one.

Powerplay Collapses vs Match Outcomes

Interestingly enough a bad powerplay does not mean always losing. Delhi Capitals ultimately lost by 77 runs on surrendering for 13/6 in 2026 but some teams on this list partially redeemed themselves later in the innings through stout middle order batting to strengthen their totals. A very bad start — a historically slow start, in fact — like the one that produced the lowest powerplay score in IPL history typically puts pressure on the batting order that hardly ever recovers until after the chase is done.

Conclusion

The IPL history of lowest powerplay score is evidence that given the right day, a bowler can completely steal the show in a league known for hard-hitting batting and record-smashing sixes. The collapse of Delhi Capitals to 13/6 against RCB in 2026 is the most severe example of this occurrence at Channel 4, ending years of domination for Royals with their previous holding, also at Chester-le-Street, in 2009. An ever-changing IPL with new venues, new players, new conditions and who knows, this powerplay score for IPL’s lowest ever might not last the test of time and will be beaten in a season again.

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