HIGHLIGHTS Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals IPL 2026 Match 26 - Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for DC's response with the bat. Patidar has his Royal Challengers in a team huddle and is pumping up his men. Now, they scatter across the park to take their positions. The birthday boy, KL Rahul, walks along with Pathum Nissanka to open for Delhi Capitals. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the new ball and is raring to go. Nissanka vs Bhuvi is the first battle coming up, then. A slip in place. Here we go again...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Who is ahead? Looking at the scorecard which reads a middling score posted, one might reckon that the Capitals have their noses ahead in this contest. But with the pitch only getting slower as the game progresses, timing the ball is not going to be that easy. DC's openers will have to find their feet quickly against an RCB bowling unit that has been among the most potent in this IPL. An interesting run chase awaits on the other side. Back in a bit.

Up for a quick interview - Lungi Ngidi says he has committed to giving his slower balls more airtime and putting more revs on them. He mentions noticing the arm-speed readings on the board earlier and was pleased with that, as it aligns with what he has been working on. Ngidi adds that there is no change in his action or arm speed, just a different trajectory, with the focus on getting the ball to dip through repetition. Lungi says the pitch was a bit sticky upfront, noting that when he went cross-seam, some deliveries held up while others kept low, making it tricky for the batters. At the back end, he felt the slower balls were gripping, which suggests the surface has slowed down. He adds that it is a slow wicket overall and, with more footmarks coming into play, it could offer some turn as well. On restricting RCB to 175, he says that coming into the game, the general perception is that 200 is par at this venue, so anything below that is a good effort. He feels they could have perhaps kept it a few runs lower, but credits the team for a solid performance with the ball.  When told that hopefully he won’t have to come out to bat, Lungi laughs and says, 'Oh yes, please keep praying for me.'

A complete nosedive in the final phase - Delhi Capitals roared back through the middle phase and brought the control. The scoring rate hovered in touching distance of ten an over, but what the DC bowlers did better than anything else was take wickets at regular intervals, not letting any partnership blossom after Padikkal's dismissal. RCB, who were cruising at 99 for 1, slipped to 149/6, with the big hitters in David and Shepherd both back in the dugout. Much of the credit goes to Axar Patel, who rotated his bowlers shrewdly and got the execution to match the planning. T Natarajan and Ngidi nailed their yorkers with precision and mixed their variations cleverly, while the spinners chipped in with steady, disciplined spells. With wickets falling in a heap through the back half of the innings, RCB simply could not find the final gear to push for a truly imposing total.

Dominant in the first half - Virat got RCB going positively with a few delightful strokes as Salt was more watchful before teeing off. The hosts raced to 50 in no time, and just when they were about to put their foot down, Ngidi dismissed Kohli to even up things. It looked like a decent wicket to bat on, but there was a slight hold on the surface, perhaps because of the day game. But still, there was a good value for well-timed shots. Salt got his eyes settled, scored a brisk fifty and looked in command as they progressed at almost 10s an over before Padikkal was dismissed right at the halfway mark.

DC reign back control - On the back of world-class death bowling, the Capitals have managed to restrict RCB to 175. Just 2 boundaries came in the last six overs, none in the last two. And because of losing wickets one after the other, the hosts could only add 29 runs in the final five overs. Honestly, with the way RCB started with the bat, it looked like they would again cross that 200-run mark, but DC pulled things back really nicely in the end. No surprises as to why they are one of the best bowling units in the final phase of the innings.

Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Full and wide on off. Bhuvneshwar Kumar reaches out and slaps it to long off. This time, David Miller gets rid of the ball quickly and there is no chance of a second run. Just 6 runs off the final over. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finish with 175/8.

Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, What happened there? Lungi Ngidi keeps it full, outside off. Bhuvneshwar extends his hands and drills it to long off, where David Miller mops it up by moving to his left. Miller casually lobs the ball back towards the bowler and the batters are alert enough to sneak in the second run. Sloppy stuff from such an experienced man.

Another one bites the dust. Two balls to go and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in at number 10.

Lungi Ngidi to Jitesh Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! End of a scratchy stay for Jitesh Sharma. Low full toss, outside off. Sharma swings to go down the ground but fails to get any sort of elevation on the shot. Hits it flat and straight down the throat of long off, where David Miller bends and takes the catch in reverse cup style.

Lungi Ngidi to Jitesh Sharma, Lovely stuff! On a good length, angled in on the off stump. Sharma fails to read the off-cutter and pushes out in front of his body. The ball drops on him and spins back to beat him on the inside edge and catch him on the thigh.

A bizarre run out as DC keep tightening the screws in the death phase. RCB utilise their Impact Sub option now as Rasikh Salam is the next batter. He replaces Devdutt Padikkal.

Devdutt Padikkal is substituted by Rasikh Salam

Lungi Ngidi to Krunal Pandya, OUT! KRUNAL PANDYA IS RUN OUT! Both batters at the same end and Krunal is gone. A well-directed short ball by Ngidi, down leg. Krunal swivels for the pull, but he misses. Jitesh is off as soon as the ball is released but Pandya is unaware of his partner running towards his end. KL Rahul gathers the ball and lobs it towards the bowler. Ngidi gathers it on the bounce and breaks the stumps with Pandya nowhere in the frame. Wide given by the umpire.

Lungi Ngidi to Jitesh Sharma, Very full, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Jitesh hits it down to long off and crosses over.

Lungi Ngidi to Krunal Pandya, Full and wide on off. Krunal Pandya swings hard at it and loses his shape. Miscues it to long off for a single.

Last over then, folks. Can RCB get past 180? Which, looking at the pitch, might as well be a good score. As predicted, Lungi Ngidi (3-0-33-1) will bowl the final over.

T Natarajan to Jitesh Sharma, Nothing more than a polite enquiry from KL Rahul for caught behind. It has been turned down. DC want to take a chance and they have sent it upstairs. Leaving the right-hander, another yorker by Natarajan. Sharma stands with an open stance and looks to run it behind point with an open bat face but misses. The replays confirm that there is a gap between the bat and the ball and the spike on the UltraEdge is from the bat hitting the turf. Death-bowling of the highest order. Just 2 runs off the 19th over. How rare is this?

T Natarajan to Krunal Pandya, Back to the yorker now. At 131.6 kph, around the base of the off stump. Krunal hurriedly drops his bat down. Jams it out of an inside edge to square leg for just a single.

T Natarajan to Krunal Pandya, T Natarajan is mixing his lengths nicely, keeping Krunal guessing. This is the slower bumper, outside off. Pandya swings across for the pull but he fails to pick the change of pace and swings early. He fails to connect.

T Natarajan to Krunal Pandya, Nails the yorker, does T Natarajan. It sneaks inside the tramline. Krunal fails to dig it out as the ball goes under the bat.

T Natarajan to Krunal Pandya, T Natarajan goes into the surface, outside off. Krunal walks across the stumps and attempts the scoop but fails to get it away. The ball brushes his body and goes behind to the keeper.

T Natarajan to Jitesh Sharma, Across off, on a length. Sharma plays a punchy drive to long off for a single.

Last 2 overs remaining. T Natarajan has bowled only 1 so far and he is summoned back into the attack. So it will be Ngidi to finish off, we assume.

Lungi Ngidi to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Picked up and dispatched! Ngidi dishes out the dipping off-cutter, full and on middle. Pandya picks it from the hand and gets low to get under the ball. A clean swing of the arms and he tonks it over the sight screen for a biggie. A productive over for RCB, 14 runs off it.

Lungi Ngidi to Jitesh Sharma, Ngidi hits the hard length, on middle. Sharma mistimses the pull towards cow corner for just a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Krunal Pandya, From around the wicket to the left-hander, pace taken off by Ngidi. This is on middle and leg. Pandya drives this full ball to long on for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Jitesh Sharma, Full and angled in, on middle. Sharma wrists it to wide long on for a single.

Halt in play! Mukesh landed hard on his right shoulder and is down in pain, also having struck his face into the ground as well. He is holding his nose, and walks off the field alongside the physio. Karun Nair is in as his substitute.

Lungi Ngidi to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Just wide! A boundary after a long time for RCB. Ngidi bashes the hard length, keeping it near the tramline on off. Sharma walks down the track and stays leg side to flay it away on the off side. Gets a thickish outside edge towards short third, where Mukesh Kumar moves to his left and flings himself in that direction but the ball evades him. He lands hard on the right shoulder and he falls hard on his face.

Lungi Ngidi to Krunal Pandya, Serves the dipping slower ball, full and on middle. Krunal clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Just 14 runs from the last 3 overs for RCB as DC have pulled back things very nicely. And according to the on-air commentators, the Capitals have been one of the most economical teams in the death overs this season. Lungi Ngidi (2-0-19-1) returns, replacing Axar Patel.

Kuldeep Yadav to Krunal Pandya, Closer to the off stump, on a good length. Krunal punches it away to deep point for one. A good day at the office for Kuldeep. Wickets of Tim David and Phil Salt in his 4 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Krunal Pandya, Wide! This is well wide on off, on the shorter side. Krunal lets it go.

Kuldeep Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, Loopy ball, full and on off. Sharma opens up the front hip to go inside out. Miscues it off the outer half to the left of cover for a run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Krunal Pandya, Slower and shorter, on off. Pandya waits back and steers it fine of short third. T Natarajan runs across to his right and cuts it off, keeping the batters down to a single. The 150 comes up for RCB.

Shepherd falls too and the inning is nosediving for RCB quickly. Krunal Pandya walks to the crease at number 8. Probably RCB's last recognised batting pair in the middle now.

Kuldeep Yadav to Romario Shepherd, OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! That looks straight and the finger has been raised. Romario Shepherd has reviewed the decision, though. This looks more in hope than anything else. This is fired in full and on middle by Kuldeep. Premeditation on the part of Shepherd, who gets low for the sweep but he is beaten for pace and the ball is too full for the shot. It sneaks under the bat and catches him low on the front pad, right in front of the stumps. No bat involved and it is three reds on Ball Tracking with the ball crashing into the middle and off stump. Shepherd started to walk as soon as he saw the replays on the big screen. DC strike another big blow.

Kuldeep Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, Sticks to the googly, fuller and on off. Jitesh presses back and nudges it to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Kuldeep Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, Slips in the googly, on a length, on middle. Jitesh pushes it to cover.

Axar Patel to Romario Shepherd, Keeps it nice and tight, does Axar. At the stumps, on a good length. Romario can only pat it back to Patel. A fine over from the DC skipper. The big wicket of Tim David and just 2 runs off it.

Axar Patel to Jitesh Sharma, Speared in by Axar, on a nagging length, on middle. Jitesh pulls it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

Axar Patel to Romario Shepherd, Slows it down, honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Romario Shepherd dabs it wide of point for a single to get off the mark.

Axar Patel to Romario Shepherd, Full and on middle, pushed to cover.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Delhi Capitals have roared back in the middle phase. The scoring rate has stayed in touching distance of 10 an over, but the DC bowlers have done the job that matters most, picking up wickets regularly and allowing no partnership to flourish since Padikkal's dismissal. RCB were once 99/1, and they are now 146/5 and with Tim David also gone, they will need a strong finish from the likes of Jitesh and the lower order to get near or over 200. Romario Shepherd is the new batter in at number 7.

Axar Patel to Tim David, OUT! TAKEN! Axar Patel wins the battle against Tim David. Smartly bowled by the DC skipper and he gets his reward. David swings his bat in frustration as he walks off. Axar cleverly keeps it away from the batter's hitting arc and bowls it slower through the air too. This is full in length, wide on off. David backs away slightly before the ball is released and is made to reach out. He swings hard at it. The ball comes off the outer half of the blade and balloons to T Natarajan at short third. Natarajan takes a step forward from the edge of the ring and bends to take a safe catch.

Axar Patel to Tim David, Interesting! This keeps coming in with the arm, on a good length, on middle and leg. David clears the front leg and mows it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket. Tim turns down the single as he backs himself against Axar.

Superb stuff from the Delhi Capitals. Just 14 runs off the last 2 overs. Axar Patel to continue.

Mukesh Kumar to Jitesh Sharma, Excellent bowling! At 138 kph, this is cannoned in at the stumps, too full. Jitesh Sharma cannot get under it and hits it straight to the cover fielder. Only 7 runs from this over. Mukesh Kumar is done with his spell with figures reading 4-0-32-1.

Mukesh Kumar to Tim David, Almost a wide yorker, outside off, this is carved past cover by David for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Jitesh Sharma, Mistimed badly, and taken by the keeper. But it won't matter as it's a Free Hit. Short of a good length, over the top of middle, cramping Sharma for room. Jitesh still goes for the pull shot but gets a massive top edge. The ball balloons in the air, and KL Rahul takes it easily. The batters cross over for a single. Mukesh gets away with it.

Mukesh Kumar to Tim David, Smart review by David! Mukesh slams the deck hard, over off. Tim David plays a grounded pull shot to the deep mid-wicket region for a run. Oh, hang on! Tim David has taken a review for No Ball not given, reckoning it went over his shoulder and is the third bouncer of the over. The side on replay comes up with the Ball Tracking, and the technology confirms that it is just above the shoulder height. The on-field decision is overturned. No Ball called. Free Hit coming up...

Mukesh Kumar to Tim David, WIDE! Reload! Wide outside off and dug in short. David sees it off as it goes over his head.

Mukesh Kumar to Tim David, Top-drawer from Mukesh! Gets the yorker spot on, just outside off. Tim David bends low and opens the face of the bat to guide it to short third, but the ball dips below his blade and beats him up.

Mukesh Kumar to Jitesh Sharma, Another short delivery, and this one nips in after pitching, at 120.2 kph. Jitesh Sharma backs away, waits for the off cutter and flat-bats it down to long off for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Tim David, Well-directed short ball, on off, David camps back and controls the pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Tim David, Drops it short, on off. Tim David hangs back and knocks it along the turf to deep cover for an easy single.

Axar Patel to Jitesh Sharma, A short one from Axar, sliding in. Jitesh Sharma pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Jitesh Sharma, Slides one on the leg stump, on a good length. Jitesh taps it back to Axar.

Axar Patel to Jitesh Sharma, Around off, on a length. Jitesh goes deep inside the crease and punches it to mid off.

Axar Patel to Tim David, Good length outside off. David rocks back, stays leg side and works it to long off for a run.

Axar Patel to Tim David, FOUR! Stand and deliver! Halfway down the pitch, outside off. David stays in the crease, and lets his hands through the shot. Slaps it flatly over cover for a boundary.

Mukesh Kumar to Jitesh Sharma, BEATEN! Kisses the surface and skids through from a length, outside the off stump line. Jitesh Sharma is not fully up to the pitch of the ball and throws his bat at it, and gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker. Despite going for 10 runs, it's a good over from Mukesh as he got rid of Patidar.

Mukesh Kumar to Jitesh Sharma, WIDE! Sharp bumper over the head and angling down leg. Jitesh lets it fly behind to the keeper.

Mukesh Kumar to Jitesh Sharma, Perfect yorker at the toes, Jitesh Sharma's head falls over but he manages to shovel it back to the bowler.

A massive wicket for the Delhi Capitals. Jitesh Sharma joins Tim David in the middle.

Mukesh Kumar to Rajat Patidar, OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Absolute silence at Chinnaswamy as the skipper falls. Mukesh pushes it wide outside the off stump, on a very full length. Rajat Patidar couldn't resist himself from cashing on the width offered and tries to crash that over covers, but gets a thick outside edge and KL Rahul does the rest behind the wickets, taking a good low catch. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 131/4 and Mukesh has his first wicket.

Mukesh Kumar to Rajat Patidar, WIDE! A bumper over the head, down leg. Rajat sees it off. KL Rahul stops it to his left behind the stumps.

Mukesh Kumar to Rajat Patidar, SIX! Geez, that's pinged into the stands! Mukesh bangs it short, and over off. Rajat Patidar stands tall and receives the ball at a comfortable height. Executes the pull shot to perfection, clearing deep mid-wicket with ease for a cracking six.

Mukesh Kumar to Tim David, Short and on top of middle and leg. David controls the pull shot to short fine leg and they hurry across for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Rajat Patidar, Hard length, on the pads. Rajat tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Mukesh Kumar (2-0-15-0) has been brought back into the attack.

Lungi Ngidi to Tim David, FOUR! Fine stroke! Misses the wide yorker by a bit, does Ngidi. Serves a half volley outside off. David gets enough width and crunches it through the covers for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to Rajat Patidar, Yorker speared on middle, Patidar drills it down to long on's left for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Tim David, Yorker, tailing in from the off stump. David digs it out to long on for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Tim David, Slants it into the batter, short in length. David pulls it off the back foot but finds the fielder at mid-wicket.

Lungi Ngidi to Tim David, SIX! Ruthless from the big Aussie and David completes 1000 runs in the IPL! Overpitched delivery on the stumps, and it sits up invitingly. David hits it with brute force straight down the ground to the right of long off for half a dozen runs.

Lungi Ngidi to Tim David, Full and straight, on off. David stays put and drives it straight to cover.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tim David, Stays low on the bounce, on a length, on leg. David backs away and punches it wide of mid off for a run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tim David, FOUR! Needled through the gap! This is on a length, across the batter and outside off. Tim David rocks back, cuts it very late and finds the gap to the left of backward point.

One brings two for DC. Tim David makes his way out to the centre.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Kuldeep strikes with a big, big wicket and helps DC come back in the contest. Short and wide, angled across Salt. He reaches away from his body, trying to flat-bat it down the ground, but gets neither the elevation nor the gap, and Tristan Stubbs takes a simple catch at long off. Salt's fine knock is halted. 99/1 becomes 105/3 for the hosts.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, BEATEN! Touch short and outside off. Phil Salt is hurried on the cut shot, but the ball holds its line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, A googly, full and outside off. Salt throws everything in the tank, trying to tonk it downtown, only to miss.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, SIX! He has picked the bones out of it! Way too short by Kuldeep, on middle. Salt creates a stable base on the back foot and swings it freely, pulling it comfortably over deep square leg for a huge six.

There's something about the over after the break. Again, a wicket falls and the budding stand is broken. At halfway, RCB are 99/2. Rajat Patidar is in at number 4. Kuldeep to bowl third on the trot.

Axar Patel to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! CAUGHT! Axar Patel breaks through for DC. Wonder why it took him so long to introduce himself. Very full and quick from Axar, on middle and leg. Padikkal crouches and swings to go down the ground but gets the height and not the distance. It goes only as far as long on, where David Miller does the rest well in front of the ropes. The 47-run stand has been broken.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, Tucks the batter up for room, on the shorter side. Phil whips it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Axar Patel to Devdutt Padikkal, Short and on middle. That is punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

Axar Patel to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Fortuitous boundary! Floated up by Axar. This slides across the left-hander. Devdutt Padikkal shimmies down the pitch premeditatively and is beaten in the air. He still swings through, and one hand comes off the bat handle. Luckily for Padikkal, the ball takes a feather of an outside edge and it takes the ball away from KL Rahul. It races fine of short third for a single.

Axar Patel to Devdutt Padikkal, Fractionally short, on middle. Padikkal hops back in the crease and looks to flat bat it down the ground. Mistimes it to the left of long on for a couple of runs.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, Darted into the pads from around the wicket. Salt nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket. He is keen for the second but DDP sends him back and rightly so, as the deep fielder was quick on the ball.

STRATEGIC BREAK! It's been a decent start for the Royal Challengers on a slowish deck. Salt, despite starting on a scratchy note, has found his timing right and is in command right now, whereas Padikkal will look to get a move on now as well. Delhi Capitals, to their credit, haven't bowled poorly, but still they have gone for 10s per over, which indicates it is still a good batting track with a value for well-timed shots. With 38 runs added by these two, DC would like to break this stand and slow down the opposition in the middle phase. It is slightly cloudy out there, but still warm enough for Salt, who has a towel on his head and an ice pack around his neck, while having a detailed chat with Andy Flower, the RCB head coach. Well then, Axar Patel brings himself into the attack after the break. He replaces T Natarajan.

Kuldeep Yadav to Devdutt Padikkal, At 86 kph, bowled with a flatter trajectory, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal gets low and goes hard on the cut but the ball goes under the blade.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, Keeps it on midle and leg, on a good length. Phil turns it with the spin to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Devdutt Padikkal, Leg bye! Short and on leg. DDP misses the flick. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, Fuller and quicker, on middle. This is driven to long off for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, SIX! Phil Salt brings up his FIFTY in style. The 12th half-century of his IPL career and the second of this season. A popular figure in the RCB camp, as his teammates are all smiles on the balcony and he acknowledges them with a raise of the bat. Flighted delivery, it is the googly. Full, on off. Salt picks it from the hand, steps out and extends his hands before pumping it over long off for a flat six.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, Dishes out the googly, on a good length. Salt presses back and tucks it with soft hands on the edge of the ring in front of square on the leg side. The batters take the first run hard and Kuldeep Yadav hunts it down but he fails to pick the ball up in one go and the batters complete the second run comfortably.

A much more profitable over for RCB, after a couple of boundary-less overs. Kuldeep to continue from this end.

T Natarajan to Phil Salt, Nails the yorker, on middle and leg. Salt jams it out back past the bowler and keeps the strike with a single. 14 runs off Natarajan's first over.

T Natarajan to Devdutt Padikkal, Full and at the stumps, Padikkal swings at it. He does not quite get hold of it as the bat turns in his hands. Tristan Stubbs is quick to his left at long off and keeps the batters down to a single.

T Natarajan to Devdutt Padikkal, Wide! Dug in short, this is too high. Devdutt Padikkal lets it go as the ball sails over his head.

T Natarajan to Devdutt Padikkal, At 133.3 kph, very full, going down leg with the angle. DDP walks inside the line for the glance but misses. A quizzical look at the umpire by Padikkal, but he decides against the review. The replays show that Devdutt had moved across and the ball would have hit him on the pads had he not moved.

T Natarajan to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Class written all over it! Pitched up by T Natarajan, on off and middle. Devdutt Padikkal takes a couple of steps down the track and does not try to overhit this one. Just swings through the line and lofts it over long off for a six.

T Natarajan to Phil Salt, This is banged in short, tighter line, closer to the off stump. Salt swivels for the pull but mistimes it down the strip. The bounce takes it over the bowler and the batters cross for a single.

T Natarajan to Phil Salt, FOUR! Gets it away! T Natarajan looks to push it across the right-hander but ends up serving a lot of width, on a length. Salt collapses his back knee and makes use of the angle to cut it wide of backward point for a boundary.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, Six singles off Kuldeep's first over. Dropped short, a little wide on off. Phil reaches out and hits it to deep cover for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Devdutt Padikkal, Pushed through, attacking the stumps. Padikkal goes back to a full ball but manages to knock it to long off for another single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, A bit too short, outside off. This is hammered to deep cover. They cross.

Kuldeep Yadav to Devdutt Padikkal, Nearly ran past it, did Padikkal! Flatter trajectory, on a length, outside off. Devdutt advances before adjusting to the length and turn. He goes back and glides it wide of short third for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Phil Salt, Fuller and it is the googly, on off and middle. Salt watchfully eases it to long off for a run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Devdutt Padikkal, On a good length, on middle and leg. Padikkal clips it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

End of the Powerplay. No punishing shots so far, but still RCB are in touching distance of 10s an over. The surface looks dry and on the slower side with the odd one slightly holding on to it. And it is time for spin as the field spreads. Kuldeep Yadav replaces Auqib Nabi.

Lungi Ngidi to Phil Salt, Top effort! A bit wide, on the shorter side. Salt frees his arms and cuts it wide of backward point. It seemed destined for a boundary but Pathum Nissanka sprints and dives to his left from deep point. He prevents the boundary and gets back up on his feet to release the throw, saving a couple of runs for his side. RCB end their Powerplay with 59/1 on the board.

Lungi Ngidi to Phil Salt, Just wide! Fractionally short, on middle. Salt plays the short-arm jab uppishly towards mid-wicket, where Auqib Nabi flings himself to his right and sticks out the right hand but the ball is out of his reach. It is cut off by the deep square leg fielder, who gets around to his left. Another brace for Phil.

Lungi Ngidi to Phil Salt, A cry in anguish from Salt. Cross-seam ball, Ngidi hits the deck hard. The width is there for Salt to cash in and he flashes but the ball kicks up to go over the blade.

Lungi Ngidi to Phil Salt, Angled into the right-hander, on a length. Salt lets the ball come to him and opens the bat face to get it behind point. Kuldeep Yadav turns around and goes after it from short third to haul it in. Two runs taken.

Lungi Ngidi to Devdutt Padikkal, Across off, on a hard length. Padikkal gets on his toes and punches it to backward point. The fielder dives to his right but the ball evades him. DDP is off the mark with a single.

Ngidi continues to shine in this IPL, as this is his sixth wicket. Devdutt Padikkal walks in at number 3.

Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli, OUT! CAUGHT! Lungi Ngidi strikes gold on his introduction to the attack. DC strike back just as RCB had started to put their feet down. Cross-seam delivery, on a good length, outside off. Kohli dances down the track and stays leg side of the ball. He looks to go up and over with a high elbow. Ends up hitting it square as the ball gets sliced off the outer half. Kohli holes out to deep point, where Pathum Nissanka makes no mistake, running a bit to his right. RCB are 52/1.

Time for the first bowling change. Here is Lungi Ngidi.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, FOUR! Nicely played. Full toss outside off. Salt stands tall and hammers it back down the ground, beating mid off to his right, and it races away for four. 50 UP FOR RCB!

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Overthrows! An outstanding effort by Axar, nonetheless, as it was travelling. Back of a length, just around off. Salt punches it crisply to get it through the cover and mid off gap. Patel from mid off is swift to get across and stops it one-handed with his left hand as the batters cross for a single. Axar hits the bullseye at the batting end, and the ball deflects to the leg side, in front of square. With no fielder backing up there, the batters pinch in the second run as well.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, SIX! As easy as you like! At just 115.5 kph, this is full and on middle and leg. Salt, with a high backlift, gets under it nicely and dumps it behind long on for a six.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, Takes pace off, fractionally fuller, on the fourth stump. Virat Kohli waits for it to arrive and knocks it gently to mid on's left for a run.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Attempted yorker on the stumps, Salt drills it down to long on for a single.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, FOUR! Slashed nicely and that should get Salt going. On a good length, just outside off. Phil Salt flashes hard at it and ends up slicing. Manages to hit it over point and collects a boundary.

Auqib Nabi will bowl three on the trot. 2-0-18-0 so far for Nabi.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, Slowish full ball, outside off, Kohli tries to cut it through the gap on the off side, but finds the fielder at backward point.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, Missed out! Scrambled seam delivery, on off, on a length. Kohli knocks it hard, but finds Nissanka at cover-point.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Bread and butter for someone like Kohli! Around the off pole, on a good length. Virat shuffles leg side to create room and lofts it nicely over the cover fielder to pick up another boundary. Moves to 18 (9), does Kohli.

Mukesh Kumar to Phil Salt, Wide full toss, on off. Salt drives it between mid off and cover for a run.

Mukesh Kumar to Phil Salt, Skids through on a good length, outside off, Salt chops it to the point region.

Mukesh Kumar to Phil Salt, Just out of reach! Bangs it in on a length, on middle. Salt goes for the big-booming pull shot, but mistimes it in the air, slicing it over and wide of mid-wicket. Lungi Ngidi gets across to his right, dives in that direction but the ball lands safely wide of him. Ngidi falls hard to his right but is fine to continue. Two taken.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Nails the yorker in, on middle. Salt digs this one out as well and squeezes it out to mid off's right for a hasty single.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, Short and at pace, outside off. Kohli stands tall, drags it across with a mistimed pull shot to the square leg region. A run taken.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, This one doesn't rise much, on a length, angled on the pads. Salt looks to whip it on the leg side, but plays over it and is hit on the front pad. The ball then rolls to the square leg region and they cross for a leg bye.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Yorker on off, Salt carves it out to Axar at mid off.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Slower length delivery, just outside off. Phil Salt hops on the toes and guides it to deep backward point. Tristan Stubbs runs across to his left from deep point and cuts it off just before the ropes. Two taken.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, Outside off on a length, nipping in a bit. Kohli strides across to drive through cover, but inside edges it to backward square leg for a run.

Mukesh Kumar to Phil Salt, In-between length, closer to the off pole, Phil Salt stabs it into the cover region.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, Good bit of bounce on this one. Short and on off, Virat Kohli rides the bounce and taps it in front of backward point for a quick run.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Bowls it beyond the tramline on the off side, on a hard length. Virat flashes hard at it, only to miss.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Handsome stroke and Chinnaswamy goes bonkers! Much fuller than the previous ball and gets it to shape away slightly, outside off. Kohli walks forward, gets under it with a steady head and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.

Mukesh Kumar to Phil Salt, Back of a length, moving away, outside off. Salt cuts it off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Phil Salt, Swing and a miss! Pitched full at 136.4 kph, and wide outside off. Phil Salt throws his hands at it, looking to access the off side without moving his feet at all. The ball curves away late and zips past the outside edge.

Mukesh Kumar to Virat Kohli, Starts with a full ball that shapes away from off, Virat Kohli gets forward and slices it through cover-point for an easy single.

A good first over for RCB. Mukesh Kumar will operate from the other end.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, On a good length, around off, Kohli plays it late and dabs it in front of cover for a single. 13 runs from the opening over. Good one for the hosts.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Off the edge! A psychological win for the bowler, but runs for the batter. Seams away from a fuller length, outside off. Virat Kohli is drawn forward and tries to ease into the off side, but gets an outside edge. He plays it with soft hands and hence, the ball doesn't carry to the first slip fielder. In fact, it goes to the right of the diving man and runs away to the fence behind.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Length ball again, around off, Salt punches it on the rise to sweeper cover for a single.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, FOUR! Scythed away! Wide on off, on a hard length, shaping away slightly. Phil Salt waits for the ball to curve, stands tall and cuts it through backward point for the first boundary of the game.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, And Kohli is off the mark too! Length ball, on middle, Kohli gets across and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single to open his account.

Auqib Nabi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Decent bounce for Auqib, but he sprays it down the leg stump line. Kohli lets it be for the keeper to collect.

Auqib Nabi to Phil Salt, Salt and RCB are underway! Some outswing to start with, full and outside off. Salt gets on the front foot and drives it to deep cover for a single.

Time to get the show on the road. Some final words from Axar Patel to his troops in the DC huddle before they take the field. Virat Kohli walks out to a thunderous reception to open for RCB in their 100th home game in the IPL. He has been with the franchise since the very beginning and was part of their first IPL game 18 years ago, on this very day, at this venue. Phil Salt is his opening partner. Auqib Nabi will start with the new ball for the Capitals. Salt to face the first ball. A slip in place. Let's go...

Impact sub options for DC - Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana.

Delhi Capitals (Unchanged Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.

Impact sub options for RCB - Rasikh Salam, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood.

The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says they are pretty much happy with the toss result, as they were looking to bat first. Stresses that they will try to put up a good total on the board and then restrict the opposition with the ball. On the green jersey, he says it represents RCB's commitment to sustainability and their message to everyone to make greener choices for the planet. On team changes, he confirms the side remains unchanged from the last game. On making Chinnaswamy a fortress, Patidar says there has been a lot of planning behind it, pointing out that with a final scheduled at Chinnaswamy this season, winning every home game is a must. On his own form, he says he is looking to carry it forward.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says it looks like a nice, hard wicket, though it might be slightly on the slower side due to it being a day game. He adds that Chinnaswamy is generally a chasing ground, which is why they have opted to bowl first. Axar also confirms that they are going in with the same team. He says when you are winning games, a long break is not ideal, but after losing a couple of matches, it has given them a chance to regroup and treat this as a fresh start. Patel shares that the focus is on sticking to their strengths and executing their plans.

TOSS - Time for the coin to go up in Chinnaswamy. Rajat Patidar is donning the green jersey and is joined by Axar Patel in the middle. Patidar now hands over a sapling to Axar. Rajat will flick the coin. Axar calls it right. DELHI CAPITALS ELECT TO BOWL FIRST.

Who's next for a chat? It is DC's Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep says they had a couple of days off before returning to training. He mentions that from 15 April, they had a session at the Centre of Excellence, followed by a couple of good training sessions here at the Chinnaswamy. When asked if he managed to catch up on the football action this week, Kuldeep says he enjoyed it a lot, though he was disappointed to see Barcelona get knocked out. He adds that there was plenty of drama in the Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid clash, which made it an entertaining week of football. Kuldeep says they started the season really well and looked like a complete side in the first couple of games. He adds that even in the third game against GT, they performed well but ended up losing by just 1 run. Reflecting on the last game, he mentions that they got off to a good start, but losing 4 wickets in 4 overs shifted the momentum. He believes there is plenty of quality in the side and stresses the importance of working collectively. Yadav also highlights the need to understand match situations better while bowling, adding that spinners tend to get some assistance at this venue, even in night games. He feels picking up a couple of wickets in the middle phase will be crucial for the team, and says that is the role he is looking to play.

A quick word - RCB's Venkatesh Iyer, on being asked about the atmosphere in the dressing room, says it's been quite relaxed. Also highlights that because of the presence of the likes of Virat Kohli, the intensity is right up there. On staying focused, he says having clarity of role and not looking beyond it helps him to go out and express himself freely. On his own form, Venkatesh says he has been putting in the hard work with DK (Dinesh Karthik) in the nets, waiting for his opportunity. He points out that the team is doing really well and everyone is giving 100 per cent in whatever role they are given. He adds that with the impact player rule, he can walk in to bat at any point, and he is focused on staying ready for whenever that chance arrives. On DC, he calls them a very good side with a strong batting lineup. Also stresses that the warm conditions are something both teams will need to adapt to quickly. He says RCB's bowling is strong and their plans are in place, and the focus is on backing their own strengths and executing well rather than overthinking the opposition.

PITCH REPORT - Former Zimbabwean pacer, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, is near the deck. He informs that it is quite hot in the middle, but there is a slight breeze blowing across the ground, which should help the players. Pommie mentions that there is no real bias between the two square boundaries, with one side being 65 metres and the other being 64 metres, and down the ground, it is 73 metres. Former South African captain Faf du Plessis joins Pommie, and he shares that the wicket looks quite similar to the previous surface. Adds that the wicket is a bit on the drier side and has less grass. Faf expects the wicket to be on the slower side, and spinners will come into the picture.  Pommie asks du Plessis whether the grass covering might make the pitch play better than in the previous game. Faf does not think so, mainly because this is a day game. He explains that in afternoon conditions, the ball tends to come on slower and the bounce is generally lower. Faf reckons 200 is par on this surface, but Pommie points out that if you are batting first, you would want to go past that and give yourself a cushion.

Start-stop with the bat - Delhi’s middle order has one of the most trustworthy finishers in David Miller and Tristan Stubbs. However, they haven’t been able to get the job done in the chases. But the numbers tell their own story. Tristan Stubbs is the second-highest run-scorer in the death overs (17-20) across the IPL since 2024, and does it at a strike rate of 240, the best in that phase in the same period, with the joint second-most sixes to boot. David Miller, meanwhile, has been in decent form this year with whatever opportunities he has got. And his only IPL century came against RCB, back in 2013. The ingredients for a match-winning middle order performance are all there. If the top order can find some big runs through KL Rahul and Nissanka, DC would look a far more balanced team, with their bowling trumping their batters right now. An exciting contest awaits. Toss and teams up next shortly.

Pace with precision - While the batting gets the headlines, it is the pacers who have been doing the quiet, ruthless work. RCB’s seamers have picked up 27 wickets this season, the most by any pace attack in the tournament. Delhi’s seamers, meanwhile, have been miserly with the ball, boasting the second-best economy rate in the competition. At the heart of RCB’s threat is the Hazlewood-Bhuvneshwar combination. Since IPL 2025, Hazlewood has taken the joint second-most wickets in the Powerplay with 11 scalps, and done so at the best economy rate of 7.6 in that phase. Bhuvneshwar, ever-reliable, has a history against Delhi specifically. 23 wickets against this opposition, which is the most in the current RCB squad.

100 Not Out - Hang on! What? A century before the first ball? No, not by a batter. Not by Kohli, not by KL Rahul, not by anyone holding a willow. This one belongs to the ground itself and the team that proudly calls it home. RCB step out to host DC today for their 100th home game at Chinnaswamy in the IPL. And if that was not enough, RCB are also just one win away from bringing up their 50th victory at this venue. A half ton of home wins, waiting to be completed on the most fitting of occasions.

History and nostalgia - April 18th is not just another date on the calendar. It was on this very day in 2008 that this great tournament first breathed into life, changing the cricketing landscape forever. And coincidentally, it all began at this very venue of Chinnaswamy. 18 years on, the ground keeps humming with the same energy and passion. It also happens to be Green Jersey Day for RCB, their annual tradition of donning the green kit in support of sustainability and environmental awareness. On this most momentous of occasions, hello and welcome to our coverage of Match 26 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals.

... MATCH DAY ...

The Capitals march down south - The IPL 2026 journey continues, and action shifts again to the City of Gardens for Match number 26. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru await to challenge the spirited Delhi Capitals in what promises to be another belter of a contest. If there's a blueprint for defending a title, RCB are writing it in real time. Four wins from five games, all of them dominant, all of them decisive. Of course, it’s a pretty long journey left ahead, but they have set the marker for the other teams, warning them. At the top of the points table with eight points and the tournament's best net run rate, RCB aren't just leading the pack. They're lapping it. What makes this run even more telling is the balance of it. Two wins chasing. Two wins defending. No one-trick pony or conditions clause. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals started their campaign on a very promising note with back-to-back wins, but since then, their journey has read two consecutive defeats. Of course, a 1-run loss, which will sting them for a very long time and they are coming off a decisive loss to CSK on the road. These blips find them stacked right at the middle of the table, in the fifth spot, and coming to Chinnaswamy, they aim for revival. The most complete team - That is the label experts and pundits have been reaching for, and honestly, it fits. Because when you watch RCB this season, you are not watching a team with a star or two carrying the rest. You are watching a machine with every part working in perfect sync. Auto-pilot mode, as some would call it. The batting was never the concern. But what has changed, what has genuinely elevated this side over the last couple of seasons, is the bowling. The growing artillery - And at the heart of that transformation is someone who needs no reinvention. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a man who has never tried to be the loudest voice in the room, is just the most effective one. In a format where bowlers are routinely taken apart, Bhuvi operates like he is playing a different game entirely. 7 wickets this season and counting, making him the joint-highest wicket-taker for RCB alongside Krunal Pandya, who brings his own brand of mischief to the attack. Then comes Josh Hazlewood. In and out of the playing XI, but never out of the conversation. Every time he has pulled on the jersey this season, batters have paid for it. Figures of 1/20 in four overs last time out. Cold, clinical, and very much in form. Pair him with Bhuvneshwar and you have a Powerplay combination that opens wounds early, and a death bowling duo that seals them shut. But the real story is what is coming up behind the front line of attack. RCB’s second line of attack, the emergence of Rasikh Salam and Suyash Sharma, is noteworthy. The franchise has extended trust in them, and they have given healthy returns with the ball as well. Rasikh’s 4-for against LSG was the proof of that. The Powerplay with the ball has been the one crack in an otherwise flawless wall. That effort against the Super Giants, 35 runs conceded in six overs, was the blueprint. But 76, 77, 97, and 62 in their other games? That is the work in progress. A minor blemish on a largely spotless canvas. Ruthless and fearless with the bat - Every target feels small when this lineup walks out. Kohli, not fully fit since the last two matches, is still churning out half-centuries, being the lead scorer of the season so far. Salt has been hit and miss, but what follows is where the real damage begins. Padikkal and Patidar are in form, and a skipper batting on a completely different stratosphere. 222 runs at a strike rate of 213.46. Patidar has also struck the most sixes this season. 21 to be exact. And just when the bowling lineup thinks the worst is over, RCB send out Tim David and Romario Shepherd. Two men built for one purpose, to clear the fence or maybe even the roof, the way David did in Chinnaswamy. This intimidating batting unit hasn’t been stopped just yet. But do their next opponents have that in their armoury? Aiming for a bounce back - DC’s batting has plenty of promise, but it hasn’t been that consistent enough. Nissanka has been in decent touch, having three consecutive scores in the 40s and showing consistency at the top. But will look to convert those into something much more meaningful. Sameer Rizvi has been one of the more exciting stories of the season, his back-to-back match-winning knocks giving Delhi a genuine finisher who can adapt accordingly at number 3 as well. A quieter couple of games since then, though, have seen him fade. The one area Delhi will be looking to sharpen is the middle order’s collective output. Contributions have come, but not always in the same innings at the same time. Getting those pieces to click together consistently is the next step for this side. Another KLassic loading at Chinnaswamy? KL Rahul and Chinnaswamy have a relationship that goes beyond cricket. This is where he grew up, where he learned the game, and where he has consistently returned to leave his mark. When he gets going here, he does not just bat. He belongs. The numbers back the feeling. 475 runs in Bengaluru in the IPL, the seventh-most any batter has scored at this ground. An average of 43.18 in this city, and an unbeaten 93 here just last season. But the stat that will have RCB most on edge is this one. Against them specifically, Rahul averages 71.09. Probably the best any batter has held against this franchise. He needs runs. The team needs runs. And he has arrived at exactly the right venue against exactly the right opposition to find them. Team form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) RCB - WWLWW | DC - LLWWW. What do the records say? RCB hold the upper hand in this rivalry, and by some distance. Twenty wins to Delhi’s twelve tells the story of a fixture that has largely gone one way. But recent history offers Delhi a sliver of comfort. The last five meetings have followed a pattern of win and loss alternating with almost clockwork regularity. And crucially, it was DC who had the last laugh in the previous season at this venue, winning comfortably by 6 wickets. Chinnaswamy may be RCB’s fortress, but Delhi are no strangers to winning here. 5 wins from 13 visits is a record that commands respect. Detailing further, in day games at Chinnaswamy, between RCB and DC, the record stands 2 apiece in five games. This year, the Royal Challengers have maintained a clean slate at home, winning three of three, and have chased a 200-plus target with relative ease vs CSK. In fact, RCB have won the last five of their completed matches at home. Pitch and conditions - The pitch slowed up considerably in the previous game here, with the ball gripping the surface and forcing batters to work harder than they would have liked. Whether that trend continues today remains to be seen. With this being an afternoon fixture, though, dew is off the table entirely, offering the bowlers a fair deal in both innings. But still, it is expected to be a decent batting wicket. Let’s hope it’s a well-fought contest.