The Indian Premier League is usually a showcase of explosive batting, but occasionally, the bowlers completely dominate the opening overs. The most recent and extreme example occurred on April 27, 2026, when the Delhi Capitals suffered a historic collapse against RCB, setting a new benchmark for futility. Whether caused by swinging conditions or top-order panics, these instances represent the absolute lowest Powerplay totals in the history of the tournament.
Lowest Powerplay Totals in IPL History
| Score | Team | Opponent | Year | Venue |
| 13/6 | Delhi Capitals | RCB | 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| 14/2 | Rajasthan Royals | RCB | 2009 | Cape Town |
| 14/3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | RR | 2022 | Pune |
| 15/2 | Chennai Super Kings | KKR | 2011 | Eden Gardens |
| 16/1 | Chennai Super Kings | DC | 2015 | Raipur |
13/6 - Delhi Capitals vs RCB, Delhi (2026)
This match now holds the record for the most disastrous start in IPL history. Playing at their home ground, the Delhi Capitals lost six wickets before the fielding restrictions were even lifted. A masterclass in new-ball bowling by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar left the DC dugout in disbelief and the record books rewritten.
14/2 Rajasthan Royals vs RCB, Cape Town (2009)
During the IPL's brief stint in South Africa, the Newlands pitch provided a stern test for batters. Rajasthan Royals found it impossible to get the ball away against a relentless RCB attack. This 14-run total stood as the all-time record for 17 years until the 2026 season.
14/3 - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs RR, Pune (2022)
Faced with a massive chase, Sunrisers Hyderabad were immediately put on the back foot by Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna. The duo extracted significant bounce and movement in Pune, stifling SRH to just 14 runs and effectively ending the contest within the first six overs.
15/2 - Chennai Super Kings vs KKR, Kolkata (2011)
On a damp and sluggish Eden Gardens surface, the KKR spinners and medium-pacers choked the scoring rate. CSK, usually known for their stability, could only manage two boundaries in the entire Powerplay, resulting in one of their slowest starts ever.
16/1 - Chennai Super Kings vs DD, Raipur (2015)
The Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) bowling unit, led by the legendary Zaheer Khan, produced a clinic in Raipur. They gave the CSK openers no room to breathe, forcing them into a shell and conceding only 16 runs in the first 36 deliveries.
16/1 - Chennai Super Kings vs RCB, Chennai (2019)
This was a tactical struggle on a "minefield" of a pitch at Chepauk. After RCB was bowled out for a meager 70, CSK opted for extreme safety to avoid a collapse of their own. They crawled to 16 runs, prioritizing wickets over the run rate on a surface where the ball was turning square.
