In one of those high-stakes matches of the IPL 2026, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to clash against the fifth-placed Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 26th match of the tournament at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, 18th April. While the hosts aim to continue their winning momentum, DC will look to bounce back to their winning ways after their previous two defeats. 

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

 

After a setback against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the defending champions are on track, having won two consecutive matches against the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) last time out. While bowling first, RCB bowlers delivered a sensational performance at their home ground in Bengaluru, bowling out LSG for 146 runs. Rasikh Salam and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were the star performers, taking 7 wickets together. In reply, with the help of Virat Kohli's 49-run, the defending champions chased it down in 15.1 overs. Virat Kohli topped the highest-run scorers' list, with 228 runs in 5 innings. RCB is currently sitting in the second spot with 8 points in their five games. 

 

Delhi Capitals

 

After a powerful start in the first two matches, the Delhi Capitals have been hammered with two back-to-back defeats in the tournament now. They lost their previous game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 23 runs. While chasing a challenging total of 213 runs, DC were 154 for 7 at one point, but Tristan Stubbs was unstoppable at one end. Stubb scored 60 runs but couldn't take his team to the victory line. Pathum Nissanka has been in decent touch, but he is not able to convert his score to a big total; he scored 41 runs against CSK. DC will need to revamp their bowling strategies in the upcoming games to get their form going. They are currently sitting in fifth spot with two wins and two losses in four games. 

 

RCB vs DC Match Details

 

RCB vs DC IPL Match Details
Match	RCB vs DC 26th T20 IPL Match
Date and Time	Saturday, April 18; 3:30 p.m. IST
Venue	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Broadcasting and live streaming	TV- Star Sports Network, Live Stream- JioHotstar

 

RCB vs DC Pitch Report

 

The pitch at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is expected to offer good help for the batters, like it has been doing in the ongoing edition of IPL 2026. However, pacers will enjoy the early assistance from the pitch with the new ball, only when they hit at the right areas. Meanwhile, batters, if they settle down, can go on to score heavy runs due to consistent bounce and good timing. Spinners are likely to get no help from the track. The first inning total at this venue is likely to be around 185-190.

 

RCB vs DC Weather Report

 

The weather in Bengaluru on Saturday afternoon is expected to remain humid and sunny, with no rain predicted during the game. As this is an afternoon game, the surroundings are expected to be hot. The temperatures are likely to hover around 28-30 °C, under mostly clear skies. 

 

RCB vs DC Head-to-Head Records

 

RCB vs DC head-to-head (in T20s)
Match Played	34
Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru	20
Won by Delhi Capitals	12
Tied	1
No Result	1

 

RCB vs DC Probable XI

 

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (c), Phil Salt, Rasikh Salam, Tim David, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.

 

         (Impact Players - Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Swapnil Singh, Mangesh Yadav)

 

• Delhi Capitals: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (c), T Natarajan, Aquib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar

   

  (Impact Players - Sameer Rizvi, Aquib Nabi, Abhishek Porel, Karun Nair)

 

Players To Watch Out For in the RCB vs DC IPL Match

 

• Virat Kohli | RCB: Virat Kohli has been in sublime touch this season. This RCB batting legend has been piling up consistent runs for the team and now has two half-centuries in five matches. He has been sitting at the top of the Orange Cap holder list with 228 runs in five innings. He will be the player to watch out for in this game. 

 

• Rajat Patidar | RCB: Rajat Patidar has been leading from the front for the team, scoring consistent runs with his bat in the tournament. He is peforming brilliant for the team so far. He has scored 222 runs in five matches at a phenomenal strike rate of 213.46 and a batting average of 55.5. He will be the player to watch out for in this game. 

 

• Pathum Nissanka | DC: This right-hand opener batter is currently looking in good touch, but he has yet to convert his start to a big score. He has scored 127 runs in 4 games at a phenomenal strike rate of 153. 01. His last three innings read: 41, 41, and 44. He is someone who, if he settles down at the crease, will go berserk with his power-hitting skill. He will be a player to watch out for. 

 

 RCB vs DC Toss Prediction

 

Historical Toss-Winning Stats at the Venue

 

• In the 6 T20 matches played here, the toss-winning teams have opted to bowl on all six occasions.

 

Advantages of Bowling First on This Pitch

 

• In the 141 T20 matches played at this venue, it has been recorded that the team batting first has registered victory in 58 games, while teams batting second have won 76 matches. 

 

RCB vs DC Today's Match Scenario

 

Scenario 1

 

• Toss Winner: RCB (opts to bowl first)


• Power-Play Score: 45-48


• DC Total: 180-195


• Match Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru

 

Scenario 2

 

• Toss Winner: DC (opts to bowl first)


• Power-Play Score: 48-55


• RCB Total: 185-225


• Match Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru

 

Who will win today's RCB vs DC IPL match?

 

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are in brilliant form, winning four out of their total five matches played in the tournament. Their batting lineup has been creating mayhem for the opposition bowlers. While RCB has been consistent with their bowling attack, with the return of Hazlewood, they are performing even better now. On the other hand, DC has lost its previous two matches after a good start. We back RCB to win this game and pick up their fifth victory in the tournament.