Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Delhi Capitals in a TATA IPL 2026 clash on April 26, 2026. RCB sit second on the table with 10 points. Dinesh Karthik
praised Krunal Pandya, Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli, and underlined data use and format changes.
RCB aim to strengthen their position as the tournament moves ahead. The side has built momentum with experienced players and new names. Delhi Capitals are the next test. The RCB group will look to extend form and hold their top two place.
Karthik spoke at length about Krunal Pandya. "Krunal Pandya is a player this game will remember for a long time. He is pushing the boundaries of finger spin and bowling deliveries that weren't imaginable a few years ago. He is becoming a master at it.
On Krunal in pressure phases, Karthik said, "He knows when to use his variations to create doubt in the batter's mind, and more often than not, it delivers results. A lot of credit must go to him for how he is evolving as an all-rounder.
He added, "IPL is changing the landscape of cricket, and Krunal is doing the same for finger-spin bowling. Karthik's words point to Krunal's impact with ball and bat. His skills in tight overs appear central to RCB's plans this season.
DK On Patidar's Captaincy
Karthik also highlighted captain Rajat Patidar. "Rajat Patidar is constantly upping his standards. He is calm, thoughtful, and you can see that in the way he bats. The coach pointed to a link between Patidar's mindset and his run scoring for RCB.
On Patidar's leadership, Karthik said, "He has the respect in the room and handles his bowlers well. Under pressure, he stays composed and makes good decisions. That calm style appears key for RCB's bowling plans and on field balance.
Format changes and data focus
Discussing the wider league, Karthik said, "The IPL is constantly raising the bar. Players need to keep reinventing themselves to keep up with how fast the game is moving. He stressed that adjustment and fresh skills are now vital in every season.
On planning and analysis, he added, "We use data to understand situations better and try to use it to our advantage. It's something we are consciously working on as a group. These tools guide matchups, phases, and help shape RCB's tactical calls.
Virat Kohli's consistency highlighted
Karthik also spoke about Virat Kohli. "He reassesses his game every year and comes back with a clear plan. To keep up with the pace of this format and still perform consistently is quite remarkable. His role remains central in RCB's batting approach.
With inputs from senior names and contributions across roles, RCB enter the Delhi clash with clarity on roles. The focus stays on Krunal's all-round growth, Patidar's leadership, Kohli's steady returns and the group's use of data and preparation.
