The fall of batsmanship, the resurgence of classical pacers: Delhi Capitals’ collapse against RCB says it all

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A leave in an IPL game, at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds, famed to be a batting paradise, is so antithetical to modern-day batting that it only enhanced the pity that was felt around this stadium for a Delhi batting order that capitulated spectacularly in the face of a spell for the ages from Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru had skittled Delhi for the lowest-ever powerplay score in IPL history: 13 for 6 with the duo splitting the wickets and the first six overs.

The spell went on to reinforce the IPL’s latest trend. Pacers with classical skills – the ability to move the ball both ways, hit Test match lengths, and bowl outright pace – have turned out to be the real ‘Impact Players’ of this edition. Delhi’s capitulation, however, would point to a much bleaker reality.

What exactly are the fast-bowling specialists doing to make their presence felt this way? Conditions have never been more loaded in the batters’ favour: with small boundaries, flat tracks, Impact Players, and an explosion of all-rounders. Yet such is the fall in the standards of batsmanship in the IPL that the slightest bit of challenge from the bowlers sends the batters – having now adopted a see-ball, hit-ball approach in the name of aggression – into a tailspin.

Sunday’s match was a case in point. Past batting collapses have found several excuses. Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer even compared Lucknow’s pitch to his home ground in Perth. But anyone familiar with Kotla’s history will readily bust that myth. On its best days, it plays low and slow; in the IPL, it often plays dead. Two days ago, it saw the highest-ever run chase in an IPL game. The wicket balls – barring the first, a sensational in-swinging yorker from Bhuvneshwar – were not unplayable either. Hazlewood stuck to his pace-on Test match lengths, Bhuvneshwar got the ball to move both ways.

Hazlewood stuck to his pace-on Test match lengths, Bhuvneshwar got the ball to move both ways. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

In addition, Delhi’s lineup was not full of slouches. It included India’s Test opener, India’s T20 vice-captain, an IPL veteran, an established all-format middle-order South African enforcer, and two promising batting talents the franchise has been hyping. None of them were able to muster the survival instinct that comes with dealing with relentless pressure in long-format games to end the carnage. All of them had clearly not expected to, or trained for, dealing with quality bowling.

Delhi will inevitably be relentlessly trolled for collapsing at home, but precious few franchises have batting orders that have the skills to tame the chaos of the first six overs at Kotla on Monday. Playing the ball late, using footwork, and understanding line and length are all skills of the past. Standing deep in the crease, baseball grips at the ready, to sky balls that come within the hitting arc, is the new normal. The fall of batsmanship has got Test-match pacers back in vogue.

Namit Kumar is a Senior Sports Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. He is known for his versatile reporting across several major sports disciplines. Professional Profile Specializations: He covers a wide variety of sports including tennis, football, cricket, and motorsports. Focus: His writing often delves into the finer details and technical analysis of the sports he covers. Social Media: You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @namitkumar_17. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Namit’s recent work focuses heavily on international cricket series and domestic tournaments, as well as high-profile global tennis events: International Cricket (India vs South Africa Series): "Intelligence, skill, and heart: How Arshdeep Singh took out Reeza Hendricks" (Dec 15, 2025) — A detailed analysis of Arshdeep's tactical comeback in the T20I series. "How India's seamers froze South Africa in chilly Dharamshala" (Dec 14, 2025). "Why India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill losing form, is the start of a blunt headache" (Dec 12, 2025) — An analytical piece on the statistics and form of India's leadership duo. "Quinton de Kock dismantles Indian bowling combination with silent savagery" (Dec 11, 2025). Domestic Cricket (Ranji Trophy): "Ranji Trophy: J&K conquer Kotla and Delhi for first time" (Nov 11, 2025) — Reporting on the historic first win for Jammu & Kashmir over Delhi in the tournament's history. "What makes J&K pacer Auqib Nabi special" (Nov 8, 2025) — A profile on the pacer's accuracy and swing. "Unearthing the next Virat Kohli still a while away but Delhi's young batting talent full of promise" (Oct 24, 2025). Tennis and Golf: "Jannik Sinner's winter-time madness: How Italian refined his game to beat Alcaraz" (Nov 17, 2025) — A deep dive into Sinner’s technical improvements following his US Open loss. "Everyone's come to watch Rory McIlroy but keep an eye out for 'people's champion' Tommy Fleetwood" (Oct 17, 2025). Football Tactics: "Why are long throw-ins giving football defenders and lawmakers a headache?" (Nov 2, 2025) — An analytical piece on the evolving strategies surrounding throw-ins in modern football. Reporting Style Namit is active in covering the Delhi sports scene, providing detailed match reports for international cricket matches and Ranji Trophy fixtures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He also provides on-the-ground reporting for happenings in the city, such as his recent coverage of the DP World India Championship golf event. Additionally, he actively writes on tennis, analysing matches and reporting on major events, especially during the Grand Slam tournaments. ... Read More

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