IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals’ strongest predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Delhi Capitals take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 26 of the 2026 Indian Premier League at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 18.

The Capitals started their season strongly, winning their first two games, but have been dealt an early blow with losses to the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings. Coming off a six-day break, they will be hoping to have put the demons from the previous games behind them when they take on one of the IPL’s form sides away from home.

They have a balanced unit, with reliable and compatible options with bat and ball. Players have stepped up at multiple intervals, but the Capitals will be hoping for match-winning performances from their team.

Here is the strongest predicted DC XI for Match 26 vs RCB:

Top order: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Sameer Rizvi 

Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul have established themselves as a solid opening pair, but they have yet to contribute significantly. Nissanka has provided brilliant starts in the powerplay but is yet to score big. KL Rahul’s only big score was the 92 he scored against the Gujarat Titans, scoring 0, 1 and 18 in the other three games. It will be a plus for Rahul, who returns to his home ground, where he scored an unbeaten 93 as he led the Capitals to victory in this fixture.

With Nitish Rana being dropped, Sameer Rizvi found himself batting at number 3 against the Chennai Super Kings. Rizvi started the season with two player of the match performances, scoring 70* and 90 in successful chases against LSG and MI. He has followed that up with scores of 0 and 6, and will be looking to prove that the early-season form was not a one-off.

Middle order: Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma (Impact)

Axar Patel has been flexible with his batting position, but has not been able to make any significant impact. The Delhi skipper has just scored three runs in the three innings he has batted in. He has been flexible with his use of the ball, often coming into bowl in the powerplay against right-handers. The South African duo of David Miller and Tristan Stubbs have ensured runs have come in the back-end of the innings. 

Stubbs made his mark in the first game as he played anchor for the team, with Rizvi carrying on, and their partnership helped chase down a total of 142 after they lost four wickets in the powerplay. He also made a valiant 60 in a losing cause against the Super Kings. Ashutosh Sharma made his first appearance in 2026 against the Super Kings, but was unable to make a significant impact. Despite this, his potency as a six-hitter keeps him in contention as the finisher.

Lower order/bowlers: Auqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar

Delhi Capitals’ big-money signing Auqib Nabi made his much-awaited debut against the Super Kings. The Jammu & Kashmir speedster bowled with control in the powerplay, but was unable to pick up any wickets. Mukesh Kumar has been the Capitals’ revelation in 2026, bowling with excellent accuracy with the new ball. He has picked up four wickets in the 2026 season.

Lungi Ngidi has been the pick of the bowlers for the Capitals, with his new arsenal of variations and slower balls in full display as he holds the death overs together with the resurgent T Natarajan. The pair has picked up nine wickets amongst them, with the Proteas quick accounting for five. Kuldeep Yadav has yet to make a mark, but he is still the Capitals’ go-to spin bowler.

Delhi Capitals Predicted XI for Match 26 vs RCB:

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