🏏IPL 2026: RCB vs DC,26th Match, Bengaluru 18 Apr 3:30pm IST🏏

🏏IPL 2026: RCB vs DC, 26th Match, at M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru on 18/04/2026 @3:30PM IST🏏

A high-voltage clash is on the cards as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 26 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 18.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have looked like one of the most dominant sides this season, ticking most boxes with both bat and ball. Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB’s batting unit has been firing consistently. The likes of Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and the middle order have provided the necessary support, making them a formidable force, especially at their home ground.

Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to their campaign. Under the leadership of Axar Patel, DC have shown glimpses of brilliance but are yet to find complete consistency. With power-packed names like David Miller and Tristan Stubbs in their ranks, the Capitals possess the firepower to challenge any opposition, but they will need a collective effort to overcome a confident RCB unit.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its short boundaries and batting-friendly surface, is expected to once again produce a run-fest.

When: RCB vs DC, IPL 2026, April 18 at 3:30 PM IST

Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

What to expect: Pitch No. 7 is set to be used for this fixture, she’s going same surface that staged the opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. It carries a slightly more straw-coloured look and retains a touch more grass than the adjacent strip used for the LSG game, though those distinctions are only relative.

What could matter more is the weather. Bengaluru is forecast for a hot, sultry afternoon, with temperatures expected to touch 35 degree Celsius around the start of play. In those conditions, batting first may still carry added value, even against the usual Chinnaswamy instinct that points sides towards the chase.

Head to Head: RCB 20-12 DC. The teams split the two encounters last season, each winning at the other's home.

Team News:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Injuries & Availability: Virat Kohli has not fielded in either of the last two fixtures due to illness and a knee concern. He had a short fielding drill on the eve of the game after a full batting session but RCB might yet choose to play it saffe and have him as an Impact Player for another game.

Tactics & Matchups: KL Rahul has an excellent record against RCB (more below) and knows the conditions at his 'home' ground better than most. He does have somewhat underwhelming returns against Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the IPL, scoring at just 110.1 over 99 deliveries along with two dismissals. RCB will want to win this match-up early in this contest.

Probable XII: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood/Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar

Delhi Capitals

Injuries & Availability: The Capitals are still waiting on the fitness of Mitchell Starc, who is yet to arrive for the tournament.

Tactics & Matchups: Spinners played a big role in Delhi's win here last season despite a blazing RCB start. The two-left arm spinners, Axar and Kuldeep, will be entrusted to keep a right-dominant RCB line-up quiet. Their IPL numbers against Virat Kohli are also great; the RCB talisman strikes Kuldeep at only 117.2 while going even slower against Axar at 112.8.

Probable XII: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar

In the spotlight: KL Rahul and Jitesh Sharma

Last year against RCB in Bengaluru, KL Rahulmade 93 not out, won the game and signed off saying the Chinnaswamy was his turf. He averages 71.1 and strikes at 144 against the team representing his home state. There is just one small problem. Since IPL 2025, he's been dismissed twice in nine innings to legspin. A strike rate of 101 suggests these aren't errors that come from taking on the bowler. RCB could try matching Suyash Sharma up with him, preferably when Rahul is still early in his innings - 75% of his dismissals this year have come before he's faced 10 balls.

With RCB's top four doing so well, Jitesh Sharma has hardly had a hit. The wicketkeeper batter has faced only 27 balls this season. He's one of the most outspoken cricketers out there which means there's always a spotlight on him. He is also the team's failsafe, ensuring a later point of entry for Tim David and Romario Shepherd so that they can just come in and go bang.

Stats: Kohli on 299 IPL sixes

• Virat Kohli is one short of joining the 300 sixes club in the IPL, which currently includes only Chris Gayle (357) and Rohit Sharma (310). There's a high chance he knocks the record off early because his first-10 balls strike rate in IPL 2026 is 174.
• DC have the second-most miserly pace attack this year, with an economy rate of 8.97. They'll face a challenge maintaining those numbers against RCB who have been the season's second-best pace-hitting team with a strike rate of 177.61
• Kuldeep warmed the bench for the majority of India's T20 World Cup campaign. He's played all four games for DC but has bowled his full quota only twice. His economy rate of 9.8 is comfortably his highest for a season though this one is still in its infancy. He'll want to bounce back into form quickly
• Spinners have gone at 9.09 runs per over at M Chinnaswamy stadium since IPL 2024, which strangely enough is mid-table. The small boundaries tend to invoke fear among slow bowlers but they've actually had it worse at many other places. Hyderabad (10.12), for example, or Delhi (9.55), or Ahmedabad (9.38).
• Axar has exactly the same number of runs as wickets this IPL - 3.

Pitch and conditions

The previous game in Bengaluru, on the back of several hot days in the city, was a low-scoring affair with the ball holding up on a worn and dry pitch. Normally, it's runs, runs and more runs there.

Did you know?

- RCB's seam attack has picked 27 wickets at an average of 24.6 and has taken a wicket every 14.3 deliveries. All these parameters are best among all the teams this season.

- Rajat Patidar has struck at 221.7 against pace compared to 197.1 agains spin this season

- KL Rahul averages 71.1 against RCB and has scored four fifties and a hundred against them in 17 innings

- RCB have a 5-8 win-loss record in green jersey games, including one no result which came against Delhi Daredevils in 2015

What they said

"I think our attack is a great balanced attack, everyone's a little bit different. It's probably similar to our Aussie attack in some regards. Everyone just brings a little different skill set to the table and I find that here, with our two spinners as well. It feels like we've got every base covered." - Josh Hazlewood

"I don't take emotions into the game. When I play, it's purely professional and strictly business as you would call it. I'm representing Delhi Capitals now. I had a great time at RCB and we won the title, but that chapter is over. Now my responsibility is to perform for Delhi Capitals who have showed their faith in me." - Lungi Ngidi

RCB vs DC Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar (Source: IPL)

The RCB captain Rajat Patidar is in the form of his life this season, and is batting with authority in the middle-overs. The right-hander has scored 222 runs in just five innings at a strike rate of 213.46, and that has been one of the key reasons for his side’s dominant run so far. He will once again play a crucial role against DC.

Probable Best Bowler: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The RCB spearhead with the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been terrific for the defending champions this year. The right-arm pacer is leading the bowling attack brilliantly, and has picked up seven wickets, all coming in at Chinnaswamy. Against DC, he can be a crucial player for his side given his vast experience.