RCB’s Lowest Score in IPL History: What Went Wrong That Day?

Cricket, like life, has its highs and lows. But few teams have experienced both extremes on the same date. For Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), April 23 isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s an emotional rollercoaster that fans won’t forget in a hurry. On April 23, 2013, RCB created history with the highest IPL team total ever—263/5, powered by Chris Gayle’s thunderous 175*. Exactly four years later, the very same team was bowled out for a shocking 49 all out, setting the record for the lowest score in IPL history.

So, what really happened on that disastrous day in 2017? Let’s rewind the tape.

RCB’s Lowest Score in IPL: A Humble Target—But a Nightmarish Chase

Kolkata Knight Riders had set a target of just 132 runs. On paper, it was a manageable chase—just over a run a ball, with a dream batting lineup: Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers. But what unfolded under the Eden Gardens lights was a script no RCB fan ever anticipated.

The Kolkata bowlers, led by the crafty Gautam Gambhir, came in with sharp plans and sharper execution. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, and Colin de Grandhomme dismantled RCB’s batting one after another. Within minutes, the big guns were back in the hut, and RCB was staring at a scoreboard that refused to budge.

The final total? 49 all out. No batter even managed to reach double digits.

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What Exactly Went Wrong That Day?

1. Top-Order Tumble:

RCB’s strength has always been their top three. But that night, it became their biggest weakness. Kohli fell early, chopping one onto his stumps. Gayle and de Villiers followed without much resistance, leaving the team in disarray.

2. Lack of Adaptation:

Kolkata’s pitch had bounce and movement early on. RCB’s batters, rather than adjusting, tried to go hard from the start—a strategy that backfired massively.

3. No Fightback in the Middle:

Once the top order crumbled, the middle and lower order looked completely clueless. No partnerships. No counter-attack. Just a procession of wickets.

4. Mental Meltdown:

More than technique, it was the pressure that got to them. With each wicket, the tension mounted, and panic set in.

List of Top 10 Lowest Scores by RCB in IPL History

The Irony of April 23 – RCB’s 2nd Lowest Score in IPL

The date April 23 seems almost cursed and blessed for RCB fans. Back in 2013, the same franchise, led by the same Kohli, witnessed a Chris Gayle storm that shook the cricketing world. Fast forward to 2017, and the same team couldn’t even cross 50.

Adding to the eerie symmetry, April 23, 2022, again brought heartbreak, as RCB slumped to their second-lowest score in IPL history—68 all out against Sunrisers Hyderabad. And yes, Virat Kohli was part of all three matches—RCB’s best, worst, and second-worst days in IPL. Virat Kohli is also known as the King of Cricket.

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RCB A Team of Fireworks and Fizzles

RCB has always been a team that promises big. With legends like Kohli, Gayle, and de Villiers in the mix, expectations naturally soar. But this team has also seen more than its fair share of collapses and heartbreaks. That night in 2017 wasn’t just about poor batting—it symbolized a pattern that has haunted RCB for years: inconsistency.

Final Thoughts on  RCB’s Lowest Score in IPL

RCB’s 49 all out wasn’t just a number—it was a moment of reckoning. A night when a team full of stars couldn’t light up the scoreboard. But that’s the beauty of cricket. It reminds us that no matter how big the names on your team sheet are, it’s execution on the day that counts.

As fans, we cheer the highs and endure the lows. And if you’re an RCB fan, you’ve definitely seen both—sometimes on the very same date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) About RCB’s Lowest Score in IPL

Q1. What is RCB’s lowest score in IPL history?

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s lowest score in IPL history is 49 all out, which came against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 23, 2017. It remains the lowest team total in the entire IPL history.

Q2. Who were the key bowlers responsible for RCB’s collapse in 2017?

The Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling unit, led by Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, and Colin de Grandhomme, played a major role in dismantling RCB. The trio took 9 out of the 10 wickets.

Q3. Why is April 23 significant in RCB’s IPL journey?

April 23 is a date of extremes for RCB:

• On April 23, 2013, RCB scored the highest IPL team total (263/5) against Pune Warriors India.
• On April 23, 2017, they scored the lowest IPL team total (49 all out) against KKR.
• On April 23, 2022, they were bowled out for their second-lowest total (68 all out) against SRH.

Q4. Was Virat Kohli part of all three matches on April 23?

Yes, Virat Kohli is the only common player who was part of all three matches—RCB’s highest score in 2013, lowest in 2017, and second-lowest in 2022.

Q5. How many ducks did RCB have in the 49-all out innings?

In that 2017 match, six RCB batters were dismissed for ducks, showcasing a complete batting collapse.

Q6. What was the target RCB was chasing in the 2017 game?

RCB was chasing a modest target of 132 runs, but were bowled out for just 49.

Q7. Has any other team in IPL history scored below 50?

No, RCB’s 49 all out remains the lowest team total in IPL history to date.

Q8. What can teams learn from RCB’s collapse?

Teams can learn the importance of adaptability, staying calm under pressure, and having depth in the batting lineup. Even star players need to read the pitch and bowlers well to avoid such collapses.