Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are favourites to beat Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 26 of IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, April 18. RCB are priced around 1.65-1.72 odds (implied win probability of ~58-61%).
Vs
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
18 April 2026 03:30 PM
This is a 3:30 PM afternoon game, which eliminates the dew factor entirely. RCB are 5-1 (2nd on the table, 10 points) after beating LSG by 5 wickets in their last match. DC are 2-2 after CSK’s Sanju Samson scored 115* to end their winning run. This article covers the odds, predicted XIs, pitch report, weather, head-to-head, and match prediction.
How RCB and DC Have Performed in IPL 2026
RCB are the defending champions and playing like it. Their record of 5 wins from 6 matches puts them 2nd on the points table behind RR. They beat SRH (chased 202, Kohli 69*), demolished CSK by 43 runs (posting 250/3, Tim David 70* off 25), beat MI (Salt 78), and most recently defeated LSG by 5 wickets at Chinnaswamy.
In the LSG win, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3 wickets) and Rasikh Salam Dar (4 wickets) bowled LSG out for just 146. Kohli scored 49 and Patidar finished with a quick 27. RCB’s bowling has finally matched their batting, making them a complete side. Josh Hazlewood made his IPL 2026 debut against LSG, strengthening their pace attack further.
DC started brilliantly with 2 wins from 2 (beat LSG and MI by 6 wickets each), but have since lost 2 straight: GT beat them by 1 run in a last-ball thriller, and CSK’s Sanju Samson scored 115* to end DC’s momentum. Sameer Rizvi leads the Orange Cap race and KL Rahul (92 off 50 vs GT) is in strong form.
Kuldeep Yadav (T20 WC 2026 joint-highest wicket-taker) has been DC’s spin ace, and Lungi Ngidi (economy 7.28) provides pace quality. However, DC’s death-overs execution has been questionable (conceded 50+ in last 4 overs vs GT), and their spinners conceded 97 runs in 8 overs against GT. An away trip to Chinnaswamy is not what they need right now.
RCB vs DC Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 26 of IPL 2026.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | RCB vs DC, 26th Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, April 18, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (afternoon game) |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
RCB vs DC Betting Odds Comparison
RCB are solid favourites at home. Their 5-1 record, title-defending momentum, and newly strengthened bowling (Hazlewood debut) make them the clear pick.
| Platform | RCB Win Odds | DC Win Odds | Implied RCB Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 1.68 | 2.18 | ~60% |
| Bet365 | 1.70 | 2.12 | ~59% |
| 1xBet | 1.72 | 2.08 | ~58% |
| Betfair | 1.65 | 2.22 | ~61% |
RCB sit at roughly 58-61% implied win probability. The afternoon start (no dew) at Chinnaswamy slightly reduces the usual chasing advantage but doesn’t diminish RCB’s home dominance. DC have the talent to compete, but travelling to Bengaluru after 2 consecutive losses is a tough ask.
RCB vs DC Predicted Playing XIs
Josh Hazlewood played his first match of IPL 2026 vs LSG and should retain his spot. DC may consider a change after 2 losses, but their core XI is largely settled.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Predicted XI
Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma / Rasikh Salam Dar.
Rajat Patidar (195+ runs, SR 214.28) is IPL 2026’s most in-form captain-batter. Salt (78 vs MI) attacks the powerplay, Kohli (69* vs SRH, 49 vs LSG) provides consistency. Tim David (70* off 25 vs CSK) finishes innings like nobody else.
The bowling is now complete with Hazlewood. Bhuvneshwar (3 wickets vs LSG) swings the new ball. Rasikh Salam Dar (4 wickets vs LSG) provides genuine pace. Krunal Pandya (5+ wickets this season) controls the middle overs. This is RCB’s strongest bowling attack in years.
Delhi Capitals (DC) Predicted XI
KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar. Impact: Ashutosh Sharma.
KL Rahul (92 off 50 vs GT) has been outstanding. Sameer Rizvi leads the Orange Cap race, making DC’s top order genuinely threatening. David Miller (55* off 32 vs GT) nearly won that last-ball thriller, showing he’s in fine finishing form.
Kuldeep Yadav on a Chinnaswamy surface is an interesting matchup. Chinnaswamy doesn’t typically help spinners, but Kuldeep’s wrong-uns could trouble RCB’s right-handers. Ngidi (economy 7.28) is DC’s most economical bowler, while T Natarajan offers left-arm death-overs quality.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report
Chinnaswamy is a batting paradise. All matches here in IPL 2026 have produced 200+ scores. But this is a 3:30 PM afternoon game, which changes the equation entirely.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Flat, true bounce. Ball comes on nicely. Fast outfield. Short boundaries (59-65m). |
| Batting Conditions | Excellent. 200+ scores have been the norm in IPL 2026 evening games here. |
| Bowling Conditions | Tough for bowlers. Pacers get 2-3 overs of help with new ball. Spinners struggle on short boundaries. |
| Afternoon Factor | NO dew! Ball stays dry throughout. Bowlers maintain grip all 40 overs. |
| UV & Heat | UV index 11+ (extreme). Temperature 35°C+. Will test players’ stamina. |
| Par Score (Afternoon) | Around 190-200 (slightly lower than evening games due to no dew advantage for chasing side) |
How the Afternoon Start Changes Chinnaswamy’s Dynamic
Every Chinnaswamy match so far in IPL 2026 has been an evening fixture where dew helped the chasing team. This 3:30 PM start removes that advantage completely. Without dew, the ball stays dry, bowlers maintain grip, and slower deliveries remain effective throughout the match.
This changes the toss equation too. While captains have preferred chasing in evening games, batting first becomes a viable strategy in an afternoon game without dew. Teams defending can use their full bowling arsenal without worrying about slippery conditions. The extreme 35°C+ heat and UV index of 11+ (per live data) will severely test fielding stamina.
Weather Forecast for RCB vs DC
Hot Saturday afternoon in Bengaluru.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 32-35°C (hot afternoon) |
| Weather | Mostly sunny, clear skies |
| Rain Probability | 10% (no real risk) |
| Humidity | Low to moderate |
| Wind | Light breeze |
| Dew Factor | NONE. Afternoon game. Ball stays dry throughout all 40 overs. |
No weather concerns. A full match is guaranteed. The scorching 35°C heat at 3:30 PM is the real challenge. Fast bowlers from both teams will need careful workload management. Hazlewood (returning from injury) and Ngidi will be tested physically in the afternoon sun.
RCB vs DC Head-to-Head Record in IPL
RCB dominate this rivalry with a commanding 20-13 record from 33 matches.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 33 |
| RCB Wins | 20 |
| DC Wins | 13 |
| RCB Win % | 60.61% |
| RCB at Chinnaswamy vs DC | Strong home record |
| RCB’s 2026 Record | 5W 1L (2nd, 10 points) |
| DC’s 2026 Record | 2W 2L (4th/5th) |
| Key Context | Both teams in top 5, but RCB clearly ahead |
RCB’s 20-13 Dominance Over Delhi
RCB have won 20 of 33 meetings against DC (60.61%). At Chinnaswamy, this dominance is even more pronounced. RCB’s batting firepower (Kohli, Patidar, Salt, Tim David) on short Chinnaswamy boundaries has historically overwhelmed DC’s bowling.
DC have won games at Chinnaswamy before, but they typically need everything to click simultaneously. With Kuldeep struggling on Chinnaswamy’s flat surface and Ngidi as their only reliable pacer, DC need Rahul and Rizvi to produce big batting performances to compete.
Key Players to Watch
RCB’s complete squad vs DC’s in-form top order. Here are the 7 players who could shape Saturday’s outcome.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | RCB | 195+ runs at SR 214.28. Captain in the form of his life. On Chinnaswamy’s short boundaries, his pull shots and flicks clear the rope effortlessly. |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | Made his IPL 2026 debut vs LSG. Australia’s premier death bowler. In an afternoon game with no dew, his cutters and slower balls remain effective all match. |
| Tim David | RCB | 70* off 25 vs CSK. The most destructive finisher in IPL 2026. His ability to clear Chinnaswamy’s 59-65m boundaries is a weapon no other team possesses. |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 69* vs SRH, 49 vs LSG. Kohli at Chinnaswamy is cricket royalty. His home ground record is incomparable, and the crowd alone adds 10 runs to RCB’s score. |
| KL Rahul | DC | 92 off 50 vs GT. DC’s most dangerous batter. His consistency and ability to accelerate makes him the biggest threat to RCB’s bowling, especially against pace. |
| Sameer Rizvi | DC | Orange Cap leader. Has transformed DC’s middle order with fearless batting. On Chinnaswamy’s flat deck, he could produce the innings that turns this match. |
| Kuldeep Yadav | DC | T20 WC 2026 joint-highest wicket-taker. His wrong-uns against RCB’s right-handers could be match-defining, though Chinnaswamy’s flat surface typically doesn’t help spinners. |
Toss Prediction
This is a 3:30 PM afternoon game, which changes the usual Chinnaswamy toss equation. Without dew, there is no obvious advantage for the chasing team. Both captains could genuinely choose either option based on their game plan.
If Patidar wins the toss, RCB might actually choose to bat first and set a massive total using their explosive lineup. Without dew to help the chasing side, defending 200+ on Chinnaswamy’s surface becomes realistic. If Axar wins, DC will likely bowl first to keep options open and assess the pitch behaviour in the afternoon heat.
Match Prediction
The defending champions at home, in outstanding form, against a DC side that’s lost its last 2. The afternoon start adds an unusual twist to what should be a Chinnaswamy classic.
Where RCB Holds the Edge
Form is overwhelmingly on RCB’s side. 5 wins from 6 matches is the best record in RCB’s IPL history at this stage. Their only loss came against table-toppers RR. Against every other opponent, RCB have been clinical.
Bowling transformation is the story of RCB’s season. They bowled LSG out for 146 (Bhuvneshwar 3, Rasikh 4). Hazlewood’s return completes their pace attack. In an afternoon game with no dew, RCB’s bowling stays effective all 40 overs. Krunal’s economy in the middle overs has been exceptional.
Home ground knowledge gives RCB an unmatched advantage. Kohli knows every blade of grass at Chinnaswamy. Patidar understands which bowlers to target from which end. The crowd factor (even at 3:30 PM on a Saturday) will be enormous.
Where DC Holds the Edge
KL Rahul and Sameer Rizvi give DC a top-order combination that can dismantle any bowling. Rahul’s 92 off 50 vs GT showed he can score at will when set. Rizvi’s Orange Cap form means he’s seeing the ball like a football. On Chinnaswamy’s flat surface, even RCB’s improved bowling could be targeted.
David Miller (55* off 32 vs GT) is one of cricket’s best finishers. On short Chinnaswamy boundaries, his left-handed power hitting could produce a match-winning cameo. Tristan Stubbs adds more finishing depth.
Pace variety is DC’s bowling strength. Ngidi (economy 7.28), Natarajan (left-arm death specialist), and Mukesh Kumar (disciplined seam) provide three quality pace options. In an afternoon game with no dew, DC’s death bowling could be more effective than in typical evening fixtures.
Key Concerns for Both Teams
RCB’s concern is that this is an afternoon game where the 35°C+ heat and extreme UV will drain energy. Hazlewood (returning from hamstring injury) bowling 4 overs in the scorching sun is a risk. If RCB’s seamers tire in the death overs, DC’s finishing lineup (Miller, Stubbs) will punish any loose deliveries. Also, RCB have never been known for consistency across seasons; a stumble against DC on a hot afternoon is always possible.
DC’s concern is their 2-match losing streak and the Chinnaswamy factor. Their spinners conceded 97 runs in 8 overs against GT, which is alarming. Kuldeep on Chinnaswamy’s flat surface has historically been less effective than on slower pitches. Pathum Nissanka has been inconsistent as an opener, and if Rahul doesn’t fire, DC’s batting relies heavily on Rizvi alone.
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Final Verdict
RCB hold a clear edge at around 58-61%. Home advantage at Chinnaswamy, a 5-1 record (best in their IPL history at this stage), head-to-head dominance (20-13), and their newly complete bowling attack all favour the defending champions.
DC’s best chance is Rahul and Rizvi both producing big innings on a flat Chinnaswamy surface. But RCB’s bowling has matured (Bhuvneshwar 3, Rasikh 4 vs LSG, plus Hazlewood now), and the afternoon game without dew actually helps bowlers stay effective.
Expect a high-scoring but slightly lower-than-usual total for Chinnaswamy, with par around 195-210. The absence of dew means defending is more viable than in evening games. The team that handles the extreme heat better and bowls smarter at the death will win.
