RCB vs DC Playing 11: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 26th match of the IPL 2026, which brings an electrifying clash to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
RCB enter this fixture in monstrous form, having secured a dominant victory in their last outing against Lucknow, while DC is looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat against Chennai and find consistency in their campaign.
For the home side, this match is an opportunity to consolidate their position at the top half of the table. For Delhi, the focus will be on fixing a batting order that has struggled for momentum in the opening weeks of the tournament. With the Chinnaswamy crowd expected to turn the stadium into a sea of red, this afternoon encounter
promises high-octane drama and plenty of boundaries.
RCB vs DC Schedule
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals, Match 26, IPL 2026
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM IST
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
RCB vs DC Team News
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Virat Kohli remains a slight fielding concern, having not taken the field in the last two fixtures due to a combination of illness and a knee issue. Although he completed a full batting session and a light fielding drill on the eve of the game, the RCB management might play it safe and utilize him strictly as an Impact Player. RCB's primary objective in the powerplay will be to neutralize KL Rahul, who has an excellent track record against them and an intimate understanding of the conditions at his 'home' ground. Their best weapon for this matchup is Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has historically kept Rahul quiet in the IPL.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
The Capitals are still sweating on the fitness and availability of Mitchell Starc, who has yet to arrive for the tournament and will miss this clash. DC will bank heavily on their left-arm spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav to stifle a right-hand-heavy RCB batting lineup. Spinners dictated terms in Delhi's victory here last season, and this duo specifically matches up brilliantly against Virat Kohli. The RCB talisman struggles to score freely against both, striking at just 117.2 against Kuldeep and an even slower 112.8 against Axar.
RCB vs DC H2H Record
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a slight advantage in this budding rivalry, particularly in high-pressure encounters at home.
Matches Played: 32
RCB Wins: 20
DC Wins: 12
No Result: 0
RCB vs DC Predicted Playing 11
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.
Delhi Capitals: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T. Natarajan.
