Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals, Match 26 of IPL 2026, kicks off today at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This clash pits the high-flying hosts against a gritty Delhi side desperate for consistency, promising fireworks under the Bengaluru sun.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, starting at 3:30 PM IST (local time). Fans can catch the live action on JioStar Network channels or stream it via JioHotstar app and website. With RCB second on the points table after four wins in five outings and DC fifth with two from four, this mid-table showdown carries real weight for playoff positioning.
Chinnaswamy’s pitch is a notorious batting paradise—flat, hard, with short boundaries and true pace-bounce that lets batters unleash freely, often pushing first-innings scores past 185. Chasing teams hold an edge here, especially with dew likely later. Weather looks ideal: clear skies, 28-29°C temperatures, 44-55% humidity, light 5 km/h winds, and just a 20% rain chance—no interruptions expected.
For RCB, the defending champions, a win seals their top-two spot and builds unstoppable home momentum—they’re unbeaten at Chinnaswamy this season. DC, after a bright start, have stumbled with back-to-back losses to Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, making this a must-win to reignite their campaign under Axar Patel. Key talking points include RCB’s explosive top order versus DC’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar, plus Virat Kohli’s return to form at his fortress. Recent momentum favors RCB, who thumped Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets with 29 balls spare, while DC chase stability.
RCB vs DC Match Details
- Event: IPL 2026 26th T20
- Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
- Date: 18 April 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
IPL Live streaming
IPL 2026 kicked off today, March 28, with the RCB vs SRH opener at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tournament wraps up on May 31 in Bengaluru, featuring 84 league matches plus 4 playoffs for a total of 88 high-octane games.
League stage runs daily from March 28 through late May, with playoffs starting soon after—Qualifier 1 around May 24-25, leading to the grand final on May 31 at 7:30 PM IST
- In India: Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD will broadcast all matches of the IPL 2025 live on TV. The matches will also be live-streamed on the FanCode app.
- Pakistan: Tapmad Visit the Tapmad website, download the app, and access the live match stream.
- In the United States: United States: FuboTV Sign up for a free trial, download the app or visit the website, and tune into Willow TV to watch the live match.
- In the United Kingdom: BT Sport will broadcast and livestream all matches of the IPL 2025.
- In Australia: Kayo Sports will broadcast all matches of the IPL 2025 live on TV. The matches will also be live-streamed on the Foxtel Go app.
- In New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ will stream all matches of the IPL 2025 live on TV. The matches will also be live-streamed on the Sky Go app.
- In the Caribbean: SportsMax TV will provide live coverage for the IPL 2025.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
JioHotstar app/website (India) for live streaming, Star Sports TV channels for telecast. Check carrier apps for free access via recharges—legal and seamless for most users in Pakistan too via VPN if geo-blocked, though official free paths stick to telecom deals.
Live Streaming Info:
The 26th T20 IP 2026 RCB vs DC will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals, 26th Match IPL 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Head-to-Head
RCB dominate the rivalry with 20 wins to DC’s 12 across 33 IPL meetings, plus one no-result—their best record against any foe at 60.6% success rate. RCB’s edge sharpened recently: 5 of last 7, including a strong 6-2 streak since 2021. Last five clashes (approximate recent): RCB won by chasing 163 in Delhi (Krunal Pandya 73*, Kohli 51), DC edged home in Bengaluru early 2025, RCB by 23 runs (2023), and RCB triumphs in 2025 playoffs push—highlighting Bengaluru’s batting firepower overwhelming DC’s attack.
RCB Team Analysis
RCB’s strength lies in a star-studded batting line-up blending experience and power, backed by a versatile bowling unit thriving on pace. Virat Kohli anchors at No.3 with Chinnaswamy mastery, while Phillip Salt’s explosive opens set blistering starts; Rajat Patidar’s captaincy adds steel. Weakness? Middle-order fragility if top guns falter, but Tim David and Jitesh Sharma provide finish. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood lead a potent seam attack, with Suyash Sharma’s leggies adding twist— they’ve restricted foes in recent chases. Form: WWLWW, cruising post-LSG romp.
Probable XI: Phillip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma
DC Team Analysis
DC boast balance with KL Rahul’s steady opening, Sameer Rizvi’s middle-order fireworks (two match-winners as impact sub), and Axar Patel’s all-round savvy. Strengths: Spin trio (Kuldeep, Axar, Mukesh) excels on turning tracks, plus T Natarajan and Lungi Ngidi’s death-over bite; David Miller-Tristan Stubbs add power. Weaknesses: Inconsistent top order—Rahul’s 92 vs GT aside, low scores plague them—and bowling leaks on flat decks. Form: LLWW (losses to GT, CSK hurt), but they started with wins.
Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
RCB’s home dominance, superior form (4/5 wins), head-to-head stranglehold, and batting suited to Chinnaswamy tilt the scales heavily. DC’s spinners could disrupt, but expect RCB to chase down 180+ for a comfortable 6-wicket victory.