Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals Timeline: IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Delhi Capitals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18, 2026, marking RCB’s 100th home match at the venue—a milestone no other team had achieved at a single IPL location. Delhi Capitals chased down 179 in 19.5 overs, winning by 6 wickets and climbing to fourth place on the points table.

Match Number: 26th Match, IPL 2026 · Date: April 18, 2026 · Venue: Bengaluru · Teams: RCB vs DC · Format: TATA IPL

Who are the 11 players in RCB?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s playing XI for Match 26 featured a blend of overseas firepower and domestic talent. While the official team sheet is typically released close to toss, sources indicated Phil Salt opened the batting after his strong form in previous matches.

Key batsmen

Phil Salt led RCB’s scoring with 63 runs, providing a solid start at the top of the order. Tim David contributed 26 runs lower down, giving the innings some late impetus. KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, despite playing for DC in this match, represent the kind of quality opposition RCB’s batting lineup aims to match.

Bowlers lineup

DC’s bowlers dominated the contest, with Axar Patel, Lungi Ngidi, and Kuldeep Yadav each claiming 2 wickets. The disciplined bowling attack restricted RCB to 175/8, a total that proved insufficient despite a fighting innings.

All-rounders

Virat Kohli remained central to RCB’s plans, though his contribution in Match 26 was limited. The all-round capability of players like Tim David provides flexibility, but DC’s balanced attack kept RCB’s lineups under pressure throughout.

The implication: RCB’s batting depth will be tested as the season progresses, especially with key players still finding form at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals timeline today

Match 26 between RCB and DC took place on April 18, 2026, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The contest marked RCB’s 100th appearance at the venue—a milestone that underscores the franchise’s long-standing relationship with its home ground.

Start time

IPL matches typically begin at 7:30 pm IST, with the toss usually occurring 30 minutes earlier. Fans gathered at the stadium from early evening, anticipating a competitive encounter between two sides with playoff aspirations.

Key milestones

The match delivered drama from the start. RCB’s innings saw Phil Salt compile 63 runs before being dismissed. Tim David added 26 crucial runs, but disciplined bowling from Axar Patel (2/27), Lungi Ngidi (2/31), and Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) kept the total within reach.

DC’s chase was built around substantial contributions from Tristan Stubbs (60 runs) and KL Rahul (57 runs). The partnership between these two batsmen stabilized the innings after an early wobble, setting up a dramatic finish.

End time

DC completed the chase in 19.5 overs, winning by 6 wickets. David Miller’s late cameo—22 runs off just 10 balls, including two sixes in the final over—sealed the victory and moved DC to fourth place on the points table.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals Match Scorecard venue

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru served as the venue for Match 26. Known for its batting-friendly pitches and passionate crowd, the stadium has been RCB’s fortress since the franchise’s inception.

Stadium details

M Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts a capacity of approximately 40,000 and is considered one of IPL’s most iconic venues. The ground has witnessed numerous high-scoring matches and dramatic finishes, making it a favorite among players and fans alike.

Scorecard table

What this means: The chase demonstrated DC’s ability to absorb pressure and accelerate when needed, with Miller’s final over hitting essentially deciding the match outcome.

Live updates

For fans seeking real-time updates, NDTV Sports provided ball-by-ball commentary throughout the match. The platform tracked key moments including Salt’s 63-run innings and the crucial Stubbs-Rahul partnership.

DC’s victory was built on partnership cricket—two substantial stands that negated RCB’s early advantage and bowling discipline.

RCB vs DC 2026

The 2026 season has seen both RCB and DC navigate the challenges of a compressed IPL schedule. Match 26 was not just another fixture—it carried significance for both teams’ playoff ambitions and RCB’s historic milestone.

Match preview

Heading into Match 26, RCB held a respectable home record at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, while DC arrived with confidence after notable victories earlier in the season. The match promised a contest between RCB’s star power and DC’s collective discipline.

Head-to-head

Across IPL history, RCB and DC have produced memorable encounters. DC’s victory in Match 26 added another chapter to this rivalry, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure in away conditions.

Predictions

With the return fixture scheduled for April 27 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, both teams will look to build on their Match 26 performances. DC, now in fourth place, will aim to consolidate their position, while RCB seeks redemption on the road.

The catch: DC’s rise to fourth spot signals their growing competitiveness, but the season’s unpredictability means the playoff race remains wide open.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals matches

The rivalry between RCB and DC has developed into one of IPL’s more compelling matchups. While RCB commands massive fan support through star players like Virat Kohli, DC has built a reputation for team-first cricket and tactical flexibility.

Past results

Match 26 marked another chapter in the teams’ head-to-head history. DC’s victory by 6 wickets demonstrated their growth as a unit, overcoming the pressure of chasing a competitive total in hostile territory.

Win-loss record

Recent encounters have been closely contested, with both teams capable of winning on their day. DC’s Match 26 victory gives them momentum heading into the latter stages of the season.

Key stats

• Phil Salt (RCB): 63 runs in Match 26
• Tristan Stubbs (DC): 60 runs in Match 26
• KL Rahul (DC): 57 runs in Match 26
• David Miller (DC): 22 off 10 balls (final over heroics)
• Axar Patel (DC): 2 wickets, named captain

The implication: RCB’s milestone night ended in disappointment, but the quality of Salt’s innings suggests the batting lineup has the firepower to compete. The return fixture in Delhi on April 27 will reveal whether RCB can translate home struggles into away success.

Key quotes

NDTV Sports match report

Phil Salt’s 63-run innings provided RCB with a competitive total, but DC’s balanced bowling attack proved too strong in the chase.

IPL Official Website (team profiles)

Axar Patel captains Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, with Hemang Badani as coach. The franchise is owned by JSW GMR Cricket Pvt Ltd.

Delhi Capitals schedule page

DC’s upcoming fixtures include Match 35 against Punjab Kings on April 25, followed by the return fixture against RCB on April 27 at 7:30 pm IST.

Match summary

Match 26 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals delivered drama, history, and a reminder of IPL’s competitive depth. RCB’s 100th appearance at M Chinnaswamy Stadium was celebrated but ultimately overshadowed by DC’s clinical chase. Phil Salt’s 63 runs provided hope, but Tristan Stubbs (60) and KL Rahul (57) anchored DC’s reply, with David Miller’s late assault sealing a 6-wicket win. The result pushed DC to fourth on the points table while RCB was left to reflect on a missed opportunity at home.

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Delhi Capitals chased down RCB’s 175/8 for a six-wicket win in Match 26, with the detailed IPL 2026 scorecard offering ball-by-ball insights from Chinnaswamy.

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