Delhi Capitals’ 13/6 against RCB on April 27, 2026 is now the lowest score in powerplay in IPL history.
Previously, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad jointly held this record with 14 runs each, set in 2009 and 2022 respectively.
Consequently, the IPL powerplay phase continues to produce shocking collapses, proving that no batting lineup is bulletproof in T20 cricket.
In this article, you will find the complete list of the lowest powerplay scores in IPL from 2008 to 2026, along with match context, bowling heroes, and key takeaways.
Lowest Powerplay Scores in IPL History (Complete List)
Here is the updated list of the lowest scores in powerplay in IPL across all seasons, including the latest record set in IPL 2026.
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi Capitals | 13/6 | RCB | Delhi (Arun Jaitley) | 2026 |
| 2 | Rajasthan Royals | 14/2 | RCB | Cape Town | 2009 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 14/3 | RR | Pune | 2022 |
| 4 | Chennai Super Kings | 15/2 | KKR | Kolkata | 2011 |
| 5 | Chennai Super Kings | 16/1 | DC | Raipur | 2015 |
| 6 | Chennai Super Kings | 16/1 | RCB | Chennai | 2019 |
| 7 | Mumbai Indians | 17/1 | RR | Jaipur | 2011 |
| 8 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 17/1 | CSK | Ranchi | 2014 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals | 17/4 | KKR | Sharjah | 2021 |
| 10 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 17/4 | RCB | Abu Dhabi | 2020 |
Why Do Chennai Super Kings Appear So Often on This List?
This is perhaps the most surprising pattern in IPL powerplay records.
CSK appear three times in the top six lowest powerplay scores in IPL history, more than any other franchise.
Here is a summary of CSK’s worst powerplay performances:
| Year | PP Score | Opponent | Venue | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 15/2 | KKR | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Lost by 10 runs (D/L) |
| 2015 | 16/1 | DC | VNSS, Raipur | Lost by 6 wickets |
| 2019 | 16/1 | RCB | Chepauk, Chennai | Won by 7 wickets |
Notably, CSK’s approach under MS Dhoni was often cautious in the early overs, especially on tricky surfaces.
Their strategy prioritized wicket preservation over aggressive scoring, which sometimes backfired.
Additionally, Chepauk’s slow pitches naturally favour spin and make run-scoring tough in the powerplay.
However, despite these slow starts, CSK have won five IPL titles, so the overall game plan clearly worked.
What Is the Powerplay in IPL? Rules Explained
For readers unfamiliar with the term, the powerplay in IPL refers to the first six overs of each innings.
During this phase, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
Consequently, this fielding restriction gives batters more gaps to exploit, especially through the covers and square boundaries.
After the powerplay ends, the bowling captain can place up to five fielders outside the circle, making scoring harder.
In most IPL matches, teams target somewhere between 45 to 60 runs in the powerplay without losing more than 1-2 wickets.
Importantly, research on 261 IPL games showed that the team with the better powerplay performance won around 70% of the time.
Therefore, a lowest powerplay score usually puts the batting side under enormous pressure for the rest of the innings.
Bowlers Who Dominated During the Lowest Powerplay Scores in IPL
Behind every record-low powerplay score, there is a bowling spell that deserves applause.
Here are the key bowling figures from the matches that produced the lowest scores in powerplay in IPL:
| Rank | Bowler | Figures (PP) | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 3/5 | DC | Delhi | 2026 |
| 2 | Josh Hazlewood | 3/8 | DC | Delhi | 2026 |
| 3 | Prasidh Krishna | 2/7 | SRH | Pune | 2022 |
| 4 | Trent Boult | 1/5 | SRH | Pune | 2022 |
| 5 | Brett Lee | 1/6 | CSK | Kolkata | 2011 |
Specifically, swing bowlers have been the most destructive in powerplay collapses.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s outswing and Hazlewood’s hard-length accuracy were the perfect combination in the DC collapse of 2026.
Similarly, Prasidh Krishna and Trent Boult used the new ball movement in Pune to dismantle SRH in 2022.
Can A Team Win After A Low Powerplay Score in IPL?
Surprisingly, yes. A bad powerplay does not always guarantee a loss.
CSK’s 16/1 vs RCB in IPL 2019 at Chennai is the perfect example.
Despite crawling through the first six overs, CSK recovered and won the match by 7 wickets.
However, in most cases, the team with the lowest powerplay score ends up losing the match.
Out of the six entries on this list, five resulted in defeats for the batting side.
Therefore, while recovery is possible, the odds are heavily stacked against you after a poor start.
Honorable Mentions: Rain-Affected Powerplay Records
Two instances deserve a mention even though they do not feature on the main list:
RCB 2/0 vs DC, Bengaluru (IPL 2015)
RCB technically scored just 2 runs in 1 over before the match was abandoned due to rain.
However, since the powerplay was never completed, this entry is widely considered unfair to include.
CSK 11/2 vs RCB, Bengaluru (IPL 2013)
In a rain-reduced match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the game was shortened to just 8 overs per side.
Consequently, the mandatory powerplay was only 2 overs long, during which CSK managed just 11 runs for 2 wickets.
Zaheer Khan bowled brilliantly in those two overs, finishing with figures of 4/17 in the match.
Since this was not a standard 6-over powerplay, it is typically listed separately from the main records.
Conclusion: Lowest Score in Powerplay in IPL Now Belongs to Delhi Capitals
The lowest score in powerplay in IPL now belongs to Delhi Capitals’ stunning 13/6 against RCB in IPL 2026.
Furthermore, CSK’s repeated appearances on this list prove that even the most successful teams can struggle in the first six overs.
Ultimately, these records remind us that T20 cricket is ruthless, and one bad powerplay can define an entire match.
