Royal Challengers Bengaluru are predicted to beat Delhi Capitals in Match 26 of IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, April 18, 2026 (3:30 PM IST).
Vs
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
18 April 2026 03:30 PM
The defending champions are unbeaten at home this season with 3 wins in 3 matches at Chinnaswamy, and have won 4 out of 5 games overall to sit at the top of the points table with 8 points.
DC, meanwhile, have lost their last two matches and need to arrest their slide quickly.
This is also RCB’s 100th IPL game at Chinnaswamy Stadium – a milestone that adds extra spice to an already compelling fixture.
RCB vs DC Match 26: Complete Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals, Match 26 |
| Tournament | IPL 2026 (TATA Indian Premier League) |
| Date | Saturday, April 18, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (Afternoon Match) |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App & Website |
Note: This is an afternoon match, which means dew will not be a factor. Teams may prefer batting first to set a target on a warm Bengaluru afternoon.
RCB vs DC Head-to-Head Record in IPL
RCB dominate this long-standing rivalry, winning 20 out of 33 matches against DC since the very first IPL season in 2008.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 33 |
| RCB Wins | 20 |
| DC Wins | 12 |
| No Result | 1 |
| RCB Win Rate | 60.6% |
| RCB Highest Score | 215/8 against DC |
| DC Highest Score | 196/4 against RCB |
| DC Lowest Score | 95 all out (2015) |
Top Performers in RCB vs DC Rivalry
| Category | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Most Runs | Virat Kohli (RCB) | 1,130 runs in 30 innings |
| Highest Score | Chris Gayle (RCB) | 128* off 62 balls (2012) |
| Most Wickets | Yuzvendra Chahal (ex-RCB) | 15 wickets |
| Best Record vs RCB | KL Rahul (DC) | 774 runs at avg 70.4, SR 143.1 |
Last 5 RCB vs DC Results
| Season | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | Delhi | RCB | 6 wickets |
| IPL 2025 | Bengaluru | DC | 6 wickets |
| IPL 2024 | Bengaluru | RCB | 47 runs |
| IPL 2023 | Delhi | DC | 7 wickets |
| IPL 2023 | Bengaluru | RCB | 23 runs |
The results have been split 3-2 in RCB’s favour in the last 5 encounters.
Notably, DC won at Chinnaswamy in 2025, so they know they can breach RCB’s fortress.
Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report for RCB vs DC
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is the most batter-friendly venue in IPL 2026 – and it’s not even close.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Flat, excellent batting surface |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | ~199 (across 3 matches) |
| Highest Score This Season | 250/3 (RCB vs CSK) |
| Lowest Score This Season | 146 all out (LSG vs RCB) |
| Boundary Size | 59m to 65m (shortest in IPL) |
| Pace vs Spin | Tall pacers get some assistance; spinners find it tough |
| Chasing Win % | 2 of 3 matches this season |
Being an afternoon match, dew will not be a factor.
This changes the dynamics significantly – batting first may actually be the smarter option since the pitch can slow down as the evening progresses.
Tall pacers like Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi can extract some extra bounce from this surface, particularly in the early overs.
Bengaluru Weather Forecast for RCB vs DC Match
| Parameter | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature (Match Time) | 32–35°C |
| Humidity | 35–45% |
| Rain Chance | ~10% (unlikely) |
| Wind Speed | Light breeze |
| Dew Factor | Not applicable (afternoon match) |
| Conditions | Partly cloudy, warm afternoon |
No rain interruptions expected. A full 40-over contest is guaranteed.
RCB vs DC Toss Prediction
Since this is an afternoon match without dew, the usual chase-first strategy may not apply.
With temperatures around 35°C, batting first to set a target could be the smarter call.
However, at Chinnaswamy, chasing teams have won 2 of 3 IPL 2026 matches.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner may opt to bat first given the afternoon conditions, but both options are viable at this ground.
Key Players to Watch in RCB vs DC Match
Here are Key Players to Watch for in a match:
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru
1. Virat Kohli (Opener – Orange Cap Leader)
228 runs in 5 innings at an average of 57 and a career-best IPL strike rate of 158.33.
He’s also one six away from becoming only the third player to hit 300 sixes in IPL history, joining Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma.
However, his fitness is under watch. He may be used as an Impact Player if he’s not fully fit.
2. Rajat Patidar (Captain/Middle Order)
222 runs at a strike rate of 213.46 – the most destructive middle-order batter in IPL 2026.
He strikes at 197.1 against spin bowling this season, which is particularly relevant against Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Fast Bowler)
7 wickets this season, all taken at Chinnaswamy – his economy of 8.70 on a batter’s paradise is remarkable.
In the last match against LSG, he returned figures of 3/27 – clinical death bowling.
4. Rasikh Salam Dar (Fast Bowler)
The young pacer has been a revelation with 4/24 against LSG in the last match.
His pace and bounce off the Chinnaswamy surface could trouble DC’s batters in the powerplay.
For Delhi Capitals
1. KL Rahul (WK-Batter)
Rahul has a stunning record against RCB – 774 runs at an average of 70.4 and SR 143.1.
His 92 off 52 against GT showed his class this season.
If DC are to pull off an upset, Rahul needs to deliver a big innings at a ground he knows well.
2. Kuldeep Yadav (Left-arm Wrist Spinner)
Although he’s been expensive this season (economy 9.85, 3 wickets in 4 matches), Kuldeep’s quality makes him a threat.
He dismissed Patidar in one of their two previous meetings – that dismissal could be crucial tonight.
3. Lungi Ngidi (Fast Bowler)
The South African has been DC’s leading wicket-taker and brings genuine pace and bounce.
On a surface where tall pacers have historically done well, Ngidi could be the difference in the powerplay.
4. Sameer Rizvi (Middle Order)
DC’s leading run-scorer this season with 166 runs and 2 Player of the Match awards.
The young talent has shown composure under pressure and could thrive on Chinnaswamy’s flat surface.
RCB vs DC Probable Playing XIs
Here are the Probable Playing XI of Both Teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Salt | Opener/WK |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | Opener |
| 3 | Devdutt Padikkal | Top Order |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar (C) | Middle Order |
| 5 | Tim David | Finisher |
| 6 | Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Middle Order |
| 7 | Romario Shepherd | All-rounder |
| 8 | Krunal Pandya | Spin All-rounder |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Josh Hazlewood | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Rasikh Salam Dar | Fast Bowler |
| Suyash Sharma (Impact Player) | Leg Spinner |
Delhi Capitals Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka | Opener |
| 2 | KL Rahul (WK) | Opener |
| 3 | Sameer Rizvi | Middle Order |
| 4 | David Miller | Middle Order |
| 5 | Tristan Stubbs | Middle Order |
| 6 | Axar Patel (C) | Spin All-rounder |
| 7 | Ashutosh Sharma | All-rounder |
| 8 | Auqib Nabi Dar | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Kuldeep Yadav | Leg Spinner |
| 10 | Lungi Ngidi | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | T Natarajan | Left-arm Pacer |
| Mukesh Kumar (Impact Player) | Medium Pacer |
Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru Will Win This Match
Unbeaten at Chinnaswamy in IPL 2026
Three home matches, three wins – including posting 250/3 against CSK and bowling out LSG for 146.
RCB have dominated with both bat and ball at their fortress this season.
Orange Cap and Beyond
Kohli (228 runs) and Patidar (222 runs) are among the top run-scorers in the tournament.
When both fire at Chinnaswamy, the opposition might as well be spectators.
Dominant Head-to-Head
20 wins in 33 matches against DC gives RCB a massive 60.6% win rate in this rivalry.
Bowling Has Clicked
Bhuvneshwar (7 wickets) and Krunal (7 wickets) have been outstanding.
Rasikh’s 4/24 against LSG shows the bowling attack is peaking at the right time.
Why Delhi Capitals Could Pull Off an Upset
KL Rahul’s Record Against RCB
774 runs at avg 70.4 against RCB – Rahul practically has a century waiting every time he plays them.
If he gets going in the powerplay, DC can compete with anyone.
They Won at Chinnaswamy in 2025
DC beat RCB by 6 wickets here last season, proving they can win at this venue.
Kohli’s Fitness Doubt
If Kohli isn’t fully fit and is used as an Impact Player, RCB lose their most reliable batter from the starting XI.
That creates a gap DC can exploit.
Spin Twin Threat
Axar Patel (economy 7.86) and Kuldeep Yadav together can control the middle overs.
On an afternoon pitch without dew, spin could be more effective than usual at Chinnaswamy.
RCB vs DC Betting Odds and Win Probability
| Team | Win Probability | Expected Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 55–60% | 190–200 (batting second) |
| Delhi Capitals | 40–45% | 210–220 (batting first) |
RCB vs DC Match 26 Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
Predicted Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| Factor | RCB Edge | DC Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-Head | 20 wins in 33 matches | 12 wins (but won at Chinnaswamy in 2025) |
| Current Form | 4 wins in 5 (unbeaten at home) | 2 wins, 2 losses (on a losing streak) |
| Top Batter Form | Kohli 228 runs (Orange Cap), Patidar 222 runs | KL Rahul 774 runs vs RCB at avg 70.4 |
| Bowling Strength | Bhuvi + Krunal (7 wkts each), Rasikh 4/24 | Ngidi leads, but Kuldeep struggling |
| Home Advantage | 100th game at Chinnaswamy; unbeaten 3-0 | Away side; need to adapt quickly |
| Spin Factor | Krunal controls middle overs | Axar (eco 7.86) + Kuldeep |
| Key Concern | Kohli’s fitness (may be Impact Player) | Back-to-back losses, Miller controversy |
| Momentum | Coming off clinical 5-wicket win vs LSG | Coming off 24-run loss to CSK |
RCB’s home dominance, superior head-to-head record, and in-form batting lineup make them clear favourites.
DC’s best chance lies in their spin pair controlling the middle overs and KL Rahul delivering a vintage knock.
However, even if Kohli is rested, RCB have enough firepower with Salt, Patidar, and Tim David to overpower DC’s bowling.
Predicted Margin: RCB to win by 20–25 runs (if batting first) or 5–6 wickets (if chasing).
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Final Verdict
This RCB vs DC clash pits the most dominant home team against a side desperately searching for consistency.
RCB’s batting firepower, home record, and bowling improvement make them overwhelming favourites for their 100th match at Chinnaswamy.
DC’s hopes rest on KL Rahul’s extraordinary record against RCB and their spin duo controlling the middle overs.
Expect Royal Challengers Bengaluru to celebrate their Chinnaswamy century with a win and strengthen their hold at the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
