The Indian Premier League 2026 continues its thrilling run as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) takes on Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 26 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a crucial afternoon game for the Indian audience, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing the potential for the pitch to settle under the Bengaluru sun. With RCB currently sitting 2nd on the points table, this match is a golden opportunity for Rajat Patidar to solidify his leadership and keep the winning momentum alive.
Confirmed Playing XIs for Today’s Match
The team sheets are out, and both sides have made tactical adjustments to suit the dry conditions in Bengaluru.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) XI:
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar.
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
Delhi Capitals (DC) 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.
Impact Player: Ashutosh Sharma
Chinnaswamy Pitch Report and Weather Update
The surface at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a nightmare for bowlers and a paradise for batters. The pitch is flat and hard, with very little grass to offer movement to the seamers. Given the short boundaries, a score of 200 is often considered par here.
The weather in Bengaluru is currently clear with a peak temperature of 35°C. Since it is an afternoon start (3:30 PM IST), the heat will play a factor in the first innings, potentially exhausting the bowlers and making the ball softer quickly.
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Key Battles: Virat Kohli vs Kuldeep Yadav
The spotlight remains firmly on Virat Kohli, who is currently 2nd in the Orange Cap race with 228 runs this season. His battle against the left-arm wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav will be the defining phase of the RCB innings. DC will rely on Kuldeep to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs to prevent RCB from reaching a massive total.
Additionally, look out for the pace battery of Josh Hazlewood against the opening pair of KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka. RCB's bowling has looked disciplined, and early wickets could put DC on the back foot immediately.
IPL 2026 Points Table Context
RCB enters this match with 4 wins out of 5 games, making them one of the most consistent teams this season. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals are struggling at the 6th position with 2 wins and 2 losses. A win today for DC would catapult them into the top four, while a victory for RCB would see them potentially claiming the top spot on the leaderboard.