Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are strong favourites against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 39 of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Monday, April 27 at 7:30 PM IST. RCB are priced around 1.65-1.75 odds (implied win probability of ~57-61%).
Vs
Arun Jaitley Stadium
27 April 2026 07:30 PM
The defending champions sit 2nd with 5 wins from 7 matches, while DC are 6th with 3 wins and 4 losses. However, DC won the reverse fixture just 9 days ago and KL Rahul recently smashed 152* (the highest score by an Indian in IPL history).
This article covers the odds, predicted XIs, Kotla pitch report, weather, and DC vs RCB Match 39 prediction.
DC vs RCB Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 39 of IPL 2026, which is also a revenge opportunity for RCB.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | DC vs RCB, 39th Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Monday, April 27, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (evening game) |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
| Weather Alert | Clear skies. Scorching heat (~42°C during day). No rain expected. |
DC vs RCB Betting Odds Comparison
RCB are clear favourites because of superior form (5W vs 3W), deeper batting (Kohli 328 runs, Patidar SR 210), and Hazlewood’s 13 wickets. However, DC’s home advantage and Kuldeep Yadav’s record against RCB keep this competitive.
| Platform | DC Win Odds | RCB Win Odds | Implied RCB Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 2.30 | 1.65 | ~61% |
| Bet365 | 2.20 | 1.70 | ~59% |
| 1xBet | 2.25 | 1.68 | ~60% |
| Betfair | 2.15 | 1.75 | ~57% |
RCB at 57-61% implied win probability reflects the form gap between the two sides. Although DC have home advantage and won the reverse fixture, RCB’s batting depth and bowling quality make them the stronger side.
Disclaimer: Odds are indicative and sourced from publicly available platforms at the time of writing. Consequently, they may change closer to match time.
DC vs RCB Predicted Playing XIs
While RCB are likely to go unchanged after their GT win, DC may tweak their bowling combination after leaking 264+ in the PBKS loss.
Delhi Capitals (DC) Predicted XI
Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (c), Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Vipraj Nigam.
Notably, KL Rahul‘s 152* against PBKS was one of the greatest IPL innings ever played. His strike rate of 226.87, with 16 fours and 9 sixes, proved he can single-handedly dismantle any bowling attack. Against RCB’s Hazlewood, however, Rahul faces his toughest test yet.
Furthermore, DC must give Kuldeep Yadav his full 4-over quota this time. His 2/32 in the reverse fixture against RCB showed he can trouble their batters. On a Kotla surface that offers more spin than Chinnaswamy, Kuldeep could consequently be even more effective.
Additionally, Natarajan‘s left-arm pace and Mukesh Kumar‘s seam bowling provide powerplay options. However, DC’s death bowling remains their Achilles’ heel, as the PBKS match brutally demonstrated.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Predicted XI
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.
Importantly, Kohli at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is a genuinely frightening prospect for DC. He has scored 328 runs this season and averages 54.67. At a ground where the ball comes on nicely and boundaries are short, Kohli’s timing and placement could be devastating.
Moreover, Patidar‘s captaincy and batting (238 runs, SR 210.62) have been outstanding. His counter-attacking style and aggressive field placements have transformed RCB into the most confident team in IPL 2026. His ability to promote himself and play according to the match situation makes RCB’s batting unpredictable in the best way.
Besides, Tim David‘s finishing numbers (183 runs, SR 194.68, avg 91.50) are absurd. If DC cannot dismiss him early, David can single-handedly take the game away in the death overs. His six-hitting ability on Kotla’s short square boundaries makes him especially dangerous.
The bowling is equally strong. Hazlewood‘s 13 wickets at economy 8.89 lead the attack. Additionally, Krunal Pandya‘s left-arm spin gives RCB a spin option on the Kotla surface. If Krunal and Shepherd can control the middle overs, DC’s middle order will be under enormous pressure.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
The Kotla pitch has been one of the highest-scoring surfaces in IPL 2026. In fact, the last match here produced 419 runs combined (DC’s 264/2 vs PBKS’s 265/4). Short boundaries and a quick outfield make this a batter’s paradise.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Flat, hard black-soil surface. True bounce, good carry. Ball comes on nicely for batters throughout. |
| Batting Conditions | Excellent. Short square boundaries (60-65m) reward aggressive batting. 190+ is par in evening games. |
| Bowling Conditions | Pacers get early swing. Spinners find grip in the middle overs. Death bowling is extremely difficult due to short boundaries. |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL) | ~173-190. High-scoring venue with quick outfield. |
| Bat First vs Chase | 5 out of 6 matches in IPL 2026 at this venue won by the chasing team. Dew heavily favours chasers. |
| Key Stat | 264/2 (DC vs PBKS) was chased down here. No total is safe at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. |
The Dew Factor That Makes Defending Nearly Impossible
Crucially, 5 out of 6 matches at Kotla in IPL 2026 have been won by the chasing team. The dew factor in evening matches makes bowling second extremely difficult. Spinners lose grip, and fast bowlers cannot control their lengths on a wet ball.
This is particularly relevant because Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are DC’s biggest weapons. If DC bowl first, their spinners operate in better conditions. However, if DC bat first, they would then need to defend with those same spinners struggling against dew. Consequently, bowling first is the only viable strategy for both teams.
Weather Forecast for DC vs RCB
According to live weather data for New Delhi on April 27, the forecast shows clear skies with only 10% rain probability. Therefore, a full match is guaranteed.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 38-42°C during the day, easing to ~33-36°C by match time. |
| Weather | Clear and sunny. No rain threat. |
| Rain Probability | 10% (negligible, full match expected) |
| Humidity | Low to Moderate (dry Delhi heat) |
| Wind | Hot, dry winds |
| Dew Factor | HEAVY dew expected in the second innings. Major advantage for the chasing team. |
| Impact | Heat will tire fast bowlers. Dew will consequently make defending totals extremely difficult. |
The heavy dew in evening matches at Kotla has been a decisive factor this season. Given that 5 of 6 matches here have been won by chasers, both captains will desperately want to bowl first.
DC vs RCB Head-to-Head Record in IPL
This is one of the most one-sided rivalries in IPL history. RCB lead 20-13 from 34 completed matches. Moreover, they have won 6 of the last 10 meetings, including 4 of the last 6.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 34 |
| RCB Wins | 20 |
| DC Wins | 13 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Last 10 Meetings | RCB won 6, DC won 4 |
| Reverse Fixture (IPL 2026) | DC won by 6 wickets at Chinnaswamy (Kuldeep 2/32) |
| DC 2026 Form | 3W 4L (6th, lost to PBKS despite Rahul’s 152*) |
| RCB 2026 Form | 5W 2L (2nd, defending champions, Kohli 328 runs) |
RCB’s Historical Dominance Over DC
Remarkably, RCB’s 60.6% win rate against DC is one of the highest in any IPL rivalry. The Kohli factor is enormous. He has scored more runs against DC than against any other IPL team. At Kotla, where the ball comes on nicely, Kohli’s record is particularly impressive.
However, DC’s reverse fixture win by 6 wickets at Chinnaswamy proves they can beat RCB in 2026. Kuldeep’s 2/32 was the key spell, dismissing crucial batters. If Kuldeep repeats that performance at Kotla, DC have a genuine chance of levelling the season series.
What makes this clash particularly intriguing is the contrasting trajectories. RCB are peaking at the right time, building momentum towards a title defence. DC are sputtering, unable to convert individual brilliance (Rahul’s 152*) into team wins. Consequently, this match is as much about team cohesion as individual talent.
Key Players to Watch
Since the defending champions face a home team with the most in-form batter in IPL history, these 7 players could determine whether RCB consolidate their top-2 position or DC pull off another upset.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | DC | 152* against PBKS was the highest score by an Indian in IPL history (16 fours, 9 sixes, SR 226.87). He is in the form of his life. However, Hazlewood’s ability to bowl tight lines in the powerplay is the ultimate test. The Rahul vs Hazlewood duel could consequently decide the match. |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 328 runs at SR 163.18 and avg 54.67 this season. His record against DC at Kotla is outstanding. If Kohli gets set on Kotla’s flat surface with short boundaries, DC’s bowling has historically been unable to stop him. |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | 13 wickets at economy 8.89, making him the most effective fast bowler in IPL 2026. His ability to bowl tight lines in both the powerplay and death overs is RCB’s biggest weapon. Against DC’s explosive top order (Rahul, Nissanka), Hazlewood’s control could be decisive. |
| Kuldeep Yadav | DC | 2/32 in the reverse fixture against RCB. His wrist-spin on Kotla’s surface, which offers more grip than Chinnaswamy, makes him DC’s trump card. If Axar gives him the full 4-over quota this time, Kuldeep could consequently trouble RCB’s middle order. |
| Tim David | RCB | 183 runs at SR 194.68 and avg 91.50. The best finisher in IPL 2026. His six-hitting ability on Kotla’s short square boundaries makes him especially dangerous in the 16-20 over phase. DC’s death bowling has been their weakest link. |
| Rajat Patidar | RCB | RCB captain with 238 runs at SR 210.62. His counter-attacking style and aggressive captaincy have transformed RCB. In the field, his tactical decisions have been sharp. However, Kuldeep’s googly troubled him in the reverse fixture. |
| Axar Patel | DC | DC captain whose tactical decisions have been questioned (bowling Rana 4 overs vs SRH). His left-arm spin on the Kotla surface is a genuine weapon, but his captaincy under pressure will be the real test against a side as complete as RCB. |
Toss Prediction
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in 2026, 5 out of 6 matches have been won by the chasing team. Consequently, bowling first is the overwhelming preference for both captains.
Interestingly, DC have won every toss this season and opted to bowl first each time. That strategy worked in the RCB reverse fixture (chased successfully) but failed spectacularly against PBKS (conceded 265/4). Nevertheless, the dew factor makes bowling first the only rational choice at this venue.
If RCB win the toss, they will also bowl first. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar operating without dew in the first innings is a different proposition to bowling on a wet ball in the second. Therefore, the toss could be worth 10-15 runs at this venue.
Match Prediction
The defending champions, riding a wave of momentum and stacked with match-winners, visit a DC side that can beat anyone on their day but can’t seem to do it consistently. Consequently, this match is about quality vs unpredictability.
Where RCB Holds the Edge
First of all, batting depth is RCB’s biggest advantage. Kohli (328 runs), Salt (202), Padikkal (208), Patidar (238), and Tim David (183 at SR 194) give RCB five genuine match-winners. No other team in IPL 2026 can match that depth. If DC dismiss two, three more are ready to take over.
Moreover, Hazlewood’s bowling (13 wickets, eco 8.89) gives RCB control that DC’s bowling lacks. He is equally effective in the powerplay and death overs. Against DC’s death-bowling weakness (they conceded 265/4 to PBKS), RCB could consequently score 200+ comfortably.
Additionally, momentum and mentality favour RCB. They are defending champions chasing a top-2 finish. The confidence of winning 5 from 7, combined with Kohli’s form, creates a team that believes it can win from any position.
Where DC Holds the Edge
Nevertheless, home advantage matters. DC know the Kotla surface, and their spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel can exploit conditions in the powerplay and middle overs when the ball grips without dew. If DC bowl first, their spinners operate in optimal conditions.
Furthermore, KL Rahul is in career-best form. His 152* proved he can destroy any bowling attack. On Kotla’s flat surface with short boundaries, Rahul scoring 80+ gives DC a genuine shot at posting or chasing any total. The question is whether the rest of DC’s batting can support him.
Besides, DC already beat RCB in the reverse fixture this season. They know RCB’s weaknesses: Kuldeep troubled their middle order, and DC’s batters handled Hazlewood. That blueprint exists. The question is whether DC can execute it again under pressure.
Key Concerns for Both Teams
DC’s concern is overwhelmingly their bowling. They posted 264/2 against PBKS and still lost by 6 wickets. Their death bowling conceded freely, and tactical decisions (Rana bowling 4 overs vs SRH for 0/53) have been poor. Consequently, even Rahul’s 152* wasn’t enough to compensate for the bowling’s failures.
Moreover, Axar’s captaincy is under scrutiny. Not using Kuldeep’s full quota against SRH, and the overall team selection decisions, have drawn criticism. Against a team as complete as RCB, tactical errors will be punished ruthlessly.
Conversely, RCB’s concern is the reverse fixture loss. DC’s spin attack troubled them at Chinnaswamy, and Kuldeep on a Kotla surface that offers more grip is an even bigger threat. If Salt and Kohli both fall early to Kuldeep, RCB’s middle order faces a genuine test.
Additionally, RCB’s death-overs bowling has occasionally leaked runs. Shepherd and Bhuvneshwar have been inconsistent in the 16-20 over phase. If DC’s power hitters (Rahul, Miller, Stubbs) target the death overs, RCB could find themselves under pressure to defend a total.
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Final Verdict
All in all, RCB hold a clear edge at around 57-61%. Their batting depth (Kohli 328 runs, Patidar SR 210, Tim David avg 91.50), Hazlewood’s 13 wickets, and the confidence of being defending champions all favour them.
However, DC at home with Rahul and Kuldeep cannot be dismissed. Rahul’s 152* proved he is the most in-form batter in IPL history right now. If Kuldeep gets his full 4-over quota and RCB bat first without dew protection, DC have a genuine chance of winning.
Therefore, expect a par score of 190-210 on Kotla’s batting-friendly surface. The Hazlewood vs KL Rahul powerplay battle and the Kuldeep vs Kohli middle-overs duel will most likely decide this contest. Specifically, the team that wins the toss and bowls first holds a massive advantage at this dew-heavy venue.
RCB want to consolidate their top-2 position. DC want to keep their playoff hopes alive. Although the odds favour Bengaluru, Rahul’s current form and Kuldeep’s magic make this closer than the table suggests. Consequently, expect a high-scoring thriller at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
