Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the clear favorites to beat Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 Match 26 on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This is a rare 3:30 PM afternoon start, so dew will not be a factor. RCB sit at the top of the table with the best net run rate in the league, while DC are limping in after back-to-back losses.
IPL 2026 Match 26 RCB vs DC Match Info
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 26, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals |
| Date | Saturday, April 18, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (Toss at 3:00 PM) – afternoon game, no floodlights at start |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| RCB Captain | Rajat Patidar |
| DC Captain | Axar Patel |
| Head Coach (RCB) | Andy Flower |
| Head Coach (DC) | Hemang Badani |
IPL 2026 Match 26 RCB vs DC Odds
RCB is the lower price across all major books. They are top of the table, at home, and facing a DC side coming off a defeat. The toss market is close to even.
RCB’s case is simple: home advantage, best net run rate in the league (+1.503), and four wins in five games. DC’s case is contained mostly in their opening pair. If Nissanka and Rahul survive the powerplay, this tightens up fast.
| Platform | RCB Win Odds | DC Win Odds | Toss Odds (RCB) | Toss Odds (DC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.58 | 2.45 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.60 | 2.40 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 1.62 | 2.50 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| BetVibe | 1.60 | 2.48 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
Odds move constantly until the toss. Check ESPNcricinfo’s live match page closer to the game for the latest lines and any late XI changes.
IPL 2026 Match 26 RCB vs DC Toss Prediction
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will likely choose to bat first. This is the key departure from a typical Chinnaswamy game.
Here is the math. Most Chinnaswamy evening fixtures reward chasing because dew helps the batting side in the second innings. At 3:30 PM, that variable disappears. The match will be done by roughly 7 PM, before dew sets in.
What remains is a flat surface with short boundaries, where the average first-innings score sits around 189. Batting first and posting 200+ is a strong position when the second innings offers no dew bonus.
Both Rajat Patidar and Axar Patel will weigh this carefully. RCB’s batting depth slightly tilts the decision toward setting a target. Expect the toss winner to bat.
RCB Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 26
RCB walk at the top of the table, with 8 points from 5 matches and a net run rate of +1.503, the best in the competition. They beat LSG by 5 wickets in their last outing.
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Salt | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Devdutt Padikkal | Batter |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar (c) | Batter |
| 5 | Jitesh Sharma (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 6 | Tim David | All-rounder |
| 7 | Romario Shepherd | All-rounder |
| 8 | Krunal Pandya | All-rounder |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| 10 | Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| 11 | Rasikh Salam Dar | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Suyash Sharma | Leg-spinner |
Key Updates for RCB
Virat Kohli injury watch: Kohli picked up an ankle issue in the MI game on April 12 and was named as an Impact Substitute against LSG rather than in the starting XI. He still came in and made 49 off 34 to seal the chase. He should be back in the XI against DC, though RCB may keep the Impact Sub option open if management wants to protect the ankle.
Hazlewood is back: He returned against LSG after missing the MI fixture as a workload precaution. His hamstring and Achilles rehab is now behind him, and he is cleared for back-to-back games. Expect him to start.
Rasikh Salam Dar is the breakout story: The young pacer picked up 4 wickets against LSG and is suddenly indispensable. Yash Dayal remains unavailable for personal reasons.
Krunal’s milestone: Krunal Pandya crossed 100 IPL wickets during the LSG match. He has become RCB’s middle-overs strangler, and his role against DC’s Miller-Stubbs axis is central.
DC Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 26
DC are fifth in the table with 4 points from 4 matches, coming off a 23-run loss to CSK at Chepauk on April 11. Their net run rate of +0.322 is respectable, but the recent form line reads L, L, W.
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | KL Rahul (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Sameer Rizvi | Batter |
| 4 | Axar Patel (c) | All-rounder |
| 5 | David Miller | Batter |
| 6 | Tristan Stubbs | Batter |
| 7 | Ashutosh Sharma | Batter/Finisher |
| 8 | Mitchell Starc | Bowler |
| 9 | Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
| 10 | Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
| 11 | Mukesh Kumar | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Vipraj Nigam | Leg-spinning all-rounder |
Key Updates for DC
Openers firing, middle order thin: Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul put on 61 inside 5 overs against CSK before DC slumped to 66/3 and eventually 189 all out chasing 213. That is the pattern teams are exploiting, get one of Rahul or Nissanka out, and the rest folds.
Miller the wildcard: David Miller has 79 runs in 4 matches this season, with a highest score of 41. Not in his usual destructive touch, but Chinnaswamy’s short square boundaries are built for him.
Starc vs Kohli watch: Mitchell Starc has the angle and the swing to trouble right-handers with the new ball. Against Kohli at Chinnaswamy, this first over becomes a headline moment regardless of the outcome.
Rana discipline flag: Nitish Rana was penalized for an audible obscenity during the CSK game. He may rotate in or out of the XI based on match-ups.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report IPL 2026
Short boundaries, flat surface, high-scoring, but without the dew safety net this time. That is the crucial framing for an afternoon match.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Capacity | Approx. 40,000 |
| Pitch Type | Flat, true surface, batting paradise |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 189 runs |
| Boundary Size | Short square boundaries (55-60m), straight boundaries 65-70m |
| Best Strategy (3:30 PM start) | Bat first and post 200+, then defend |
What to Expect on April 18
- Early seam movement: The new ball may offer slight swing in the first 2-3 overs under afternoon heat. Starc in particular will eye this window.
- Batting becomes easier as the ball softens: Once the shine is off, the surface plays like a belter. Mistimed shots clear the rope.
- Spin has a small window: Kuldeep Yadav and Suyash Sharma will try to control the middle overs, but flat decks and short boundaries limit turn.
- No dew factor: This is the big one. Captains chasing cannot rely on the ball skidding on. Bowlers retain grip. Defending a total is more viable than usual.
- Expected score range: 190-215 per innings. A 200+ total gives the bowling side real hope.
Bengaluru Weather Report, April 18, 2026
Hot and dry. That is the summary. Bengaluru is in its pre-monsoon stretch, and rain is not on the radar.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, full sunshine |
| Temperature | Around 35°C (high) during play, cooling slightly toward evening |
| Humidity | Low, around 30-35% |
| Wind Speed | Light, 10-15 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Scattered clouds, minimal shade |
| Dew Factor | Minimal, match ends before dew window |
| Rain Probability | 0% during match hours |
| Match Interruption Risk | Very Low |
The heat will be a real factor for bowlers. Drinks breaks matter. The crowd experience will be better in the covered stands. The AccuWeather monthly outlook confirms highs in the mid-30s with no precipitation across the fixture window.
RCB vs DC Head-to-Head — Last 5 Matches
| Matches Played | RCB Wins | DC Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 19 | 12 | 1 |
RCB holds a commanding historical lead. RCB have won 20 of the 33 IPL meetings. At Chinnaswamy specifically, it is closer, RCB 6 wins, DC 4 wins, with 1 tie and 1 no result across 12 home meetings.
Last 5 Matches
| Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2025 | RCB | 6 wickets | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| April 10, 2025 | DC | 6 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| May 12, 2024 | RCB | 47 runs | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| May 6, 2023 | DC | 7 wickets | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| April 15, 2023 | RCB | 23 runs | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
Recent scoreline: RCB 3, DC 2 over the last five meetings. Notably, the April 2025 match at Chinnaswamy went DC’s way, with KL Rahul scoring 93*. The reverse fixture, 17 days later, was won by RCB on the back of Krunal Pandya’s 73* off 47. Both men are likely to influence this one, too.
Rivalry Highlights
- Virat Kohli leads the run charts in this fixture with 1,130 runs as RCB captain, with more added since.
- RCB’s highest score vs DC is 215/1 in 20 overs; DC’s highest is 196/4.
- DC’s lowest score against RCB is 95. The collapse template exists.
- The 2013 Chinnaswamy tie went to a Super Over, where AB de Villiers hit the last two balls for sixes, and Ravi Rampaul defended 16. RCB won.
Our Prediction: RCB Has Better Chances to Win Against DC in IPL 2026 Match 26
Bottom line up front: RCB win, likely batting first and defending a 200+ total by a margin of 25 to 35 runs.
Why RCB Wins
Form and momentum. RCB have won four of their last five, including a 5-wicket win over LSG, where they bowled the opposition out for 146. The bowling, once considered the weak link, is now doing the heavy lifting.
Home fortress. RCB are unbeaten at Chinnaswamy in the IPL 2026 Season. Kohli, Salt, and Padikkal have all crossed 50+ strike rates north of 150 at the venue this season.
Depth advantage. Kohli, Salt, Padikkal, Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Shepherd, and Krunal are eight batters who can go at a 140+ strike rate. DC simply does not have that many options through the middle.
Why DC Could Win
Opening pair threat. If Nissanka and Rahul survive the first six overs against Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood, they can post 70+ in the powerplay. A big opening stand completely resets the equation.
Spin-heavy middle overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have the variations to slow RCB’s middle order. Krunal Pandya’s century of IPL wickets came at DC’s expense more than once. Payback is plausible.
Starc in the first over. One Starc special to Kohli or Salt early changes the whole dynamic. Left-arm pace into the right-hander with the angle of attack; this is exactly the wicket-taking window DC needs.
Final Verdict
RCB’s balance, form, and home record all favor them. The absence of dew is a storyline, but it actually works against DC because their plan usually involves chasing and using dew. Batting first at Chinnaswamy, RCB’s top order should post 200-215. DC’s middle order, the consistent failure point in 2026, will struggle to sustain a chase of that size on a ground where the bowling side retains grip.
Prediction: RCB to win by 25-35 runs batting first.
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue statistics, and historical records as of April 16, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
