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The Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru rivalry is one of the long-running contests in IPL history. Their first meeting came during the inaugural IPL season in 2008, when the Delhi franchise was known as the Delhi Daredevils and RCB played as Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Since then, the two franchises have faced each other regularly in the league stage. The rivalry has produced high-scoring games, close finishes, dominant bowling performances, dramatic chases, and several memorable individual displays.
Through the 2026 IPL season, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played 35 matches. RCB have won 21, Delhi have won 13, and one match ended without a result.
Head-to-Head Record
The overall head-to-head record gives RCB an advantage, although Delhi have enjoyed several strong periods in the rivalry.
| Category | Delhi Capitals | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Total IPL matches | 35 | 35 |
| Wins | 13 | 21 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| First meeting | 2008 | 2008 |
| Latest meeting | 2026 | 2026 |
| 2026 meetings | 1 win | 1 win |
The two teams met twice during IPL 2026. Delhi won the first meeting in Bengaluru by six wickets, while RCB responded with a nine-wicket victory in Delhi.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2008
The rivalry began during the first IPL season.
April 30, 2008 – Delhi vs RCB
The first match between the franchises was played in Delhi. Delhi Daredevils scored 191/5 and defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 10 runs after RCB finished on 181/5.
This established an entertaining rivalry from the very beginning, with both teams producing competitive batting performances.
May 19, 2008 – RCB vs Delhi
The teams met again in Bengaluru later in the same season.
RCB scored 154/7, but Delhi chased the target successfully, reaching 158/5 to win by five wickets.
Delhi therefore won both meetings during the inaugural season.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2009
The 2009 IPL was moved to South Africa, creating a different setting for the rivalry.
April 26, 2009 – RCB vs Delhi
The match was played at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
RCB scored 149/7, but Delhi chased the target successfully, reaching 150/4 to win by six wickets.
May 19, 2009 – Delhi vs RCB
The teams later met at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Delhi made 134/7, and RCB completed the chase at 135/3 to win by seven wickets.
The two teams therefore split their 2009 meetings, with each side winning once.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2010
The rivalry returned to India in 2010 and produced another split series.
March 25, 2010 – RCB vs Delhi
Delhi posted 183/4 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB managed 166/9, giving Delhi a 17-run victory.
April 4, 2010 – Delhi vs RCB
Delhi scored 184/5 at home. RCB were restricted to 147/9, with Delhi winning by 37 runs.
Delhi completed a 2-0 season sweep over RCB in 2010.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2011
The teams played once in the 2011 IPL.
April 26, 2011 – Delhi vs RCB
Delhi scored 160/6 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, but RCB successfully chased the target.
RCB reached 161/7 and won by three wickets.
The result gave RCB an important victory after Delhi had dominated their meetings during the previous season.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2012
The 2012 season produced two victories for RCB.
April 7, 2012 – RCB vs Delhi
RCB scored 157/8 and successfully defended the total. Delhi finished on 137/7, giving RCB a 20-run win.
May 17, 2012 – Delhi vs RCB
RCB produced a much bigger total in the second meeting.
They scored 215/1, one of the highest team totals in the rivalry. Delhi responded with 194/9 but fell 21 runs short.
RCB therefore won both matches in 2012.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2013
The 2013 rivalry produced one of the most unusual matches in the history of this fixture.
April 16, 2013 – RCB vs Delhi
RCB scored 152/7 while Delhi also finished on 152/5.
The match was tied, creating a rare result in IPL cricket.
May 10, 2013 – Delhi vs RCB
The second meeting was another close contest.
RCB scored 183/4, and Delhi reached 179/7. RCB won by just four runs.
The combination of a tie and a four-run victory made the 2013 season particularly memorable in this rivalry.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2014
The franchises played twice during the 2014 season.
April 17, 2014 – Delhi vs RCB
The match was played at Sharjah during the UAE leg of the IPL.
Delhi scored 145/4, but RCB chased the target successfully, finishing on 146/2 to win by eight wickets.
May 13, 2014 – RCB vs Delhi
RCB scored 186/4 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Delhi managed 170/7, giving RCB a 16-run victory.
RCB completed a 2-0 sweep over Delhi in 2014.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2015
The 2015 meeting between the teams was abandoned without a result.
This remains the only no-result match in the 35-match IPL history between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2016
The 2016 season featured one victory for each franchise.
April 17, 2016 – RCB vs Delhi
RCB scored 191/5 in Bengaluru.
Delhi produced an excellent chase, reaching 192/3 to win by seven wickets.
May 22, 2016 – Delhi vs RCB
The teams met again in Raipur.
Delhi scored 138/8, but RCB reached 139/4 and won by six wickets.
The two teams once again finished the season with one victory each.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2017
RCB won both meetings in 2017.
April 8, 2017 – RCB vs Delhi
RCB posted 157/8 before restricting Delhi to 142/9.
RCB won by 15 runs.
May 14, 2017 – Delhi vs RCB
RCB scored 161/6 in Delhi.
The hosts were bowled out for 151, giving RCB a 10-run victory.
The two results continued RCB’s strong period in the rivalry.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2018
The Delhi franchise continued under the Daredevils name in 2018, before becoming Delhi Capitals later that year.
April 21, 2018 – RCB vs Delhi
RCB scored 176/4 and defeated Delhi by six wickets after chasing down 175.
May 12, 2018 – Delhi vs RCB
Delhi produced 181/4, but RCB chased the total successfully.
RCB reached 187/5 and won by five wickets.
RCB won both matches in the 2018 season.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2019
The franchise rivalry changed its identity in 2019 after Delhi Daredevils were renamed Delhi Capitals.
April 7, 2019 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB scored 149/8, but Delhi completed the chase at 152/6 to win by four wickets.
April 28, 2019 – Delhi Capitals vs RCB
Delhi scored 187/5 and successfully defended the total.
RCB finished on 171/7, giving Delhi a 16-run victory.
The two results gave Delhi a clean sweep over RCB in the 2019 season.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2020
The 2020 IPL was played in the United Arab Emirates, and the teams met twice.
October 5, 2020 – Delhi Capitals vs RCB
Delhi scored 196/4, producing one of their largest totals against RCB.
RCB struggled during the chase and were bowled out for 137. Delhi won by 59 runs.
November 2, 2020 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB scored 152/7.
Delhi chased the target, reaching 154/4 to win by six wickets.
Delhi therefore won both meetings in the 2020 season.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2021
The two franchises met twice in the 2021 league stage.
April 27, 2021 – Delhi Capitals vs RCB
RCB scored 171/5.
Delhi came extremely close but finished on 170/4, giving RCB a dramatic one-run victory.
October 8, 2021 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB posted 164/5.
Delhi reached 166/3, winning by seven wickets.
The teams therefore split their 2021 meetings.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2022
RCB won their only meeting with Delhi in the 2022 season.
April 16, 2022 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB scored 189/5 at Wankhede Stadium.
Delhi managed 173/7, giving RCB a 16-run victory.
The result was another example of RCB successfully defending a competitive total against Delhi.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2023
The 2023 season again produced one win for each team.
April 15, 2023 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB scored 174/6 and successfully defended the total.
Delhi finished on 151/9, resulting in a 23-run RCB victory.
May 6, 2023 – Delhi Capitals vs RCB
Delhi responded strongly in the return fixture.
RCB scored 181/4, but Delhi chased the target impressively, reaching 187/3 and winning by seven wickets.
The teams once again ended the season level at 1-1.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2024
RCB won their only meeting with Delhi in 2024.
May 12, 2024 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB scored 187/9 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Delhi’s chase collapsed, and they were bowled out for 140.
RCB won by 47 runs, producing a comfortable victory in Bengaluru.
The match also represented the beginning of the franchise’s current Bengaluru identity, following the official name change from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2025
The 2025 season featured two closely contested matches.
April 10, 2025 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB scored 163/7.
Delhi chased the target successfully, reaching 169/4 to win by six wickets.
April 27, 2025 – Delhi Capitals vs RCB
The second meeting took place in Delhi.
Delhi scored 162/8, but RCB completed the chase at 165/4 to win by six wickets.
The teams therefore split their 2025 meetings.
Delhi Capitals vs RCB Timeline: 2026
The 2026 season produced two dramatically different results.
April 18, 2026 – RCB vs Delhi Capitals
RCB posted 175/8 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Delhi successfully chased the target, reaching 179/4 with one delivery remaining. Delhi won by six wickets.
Tristan Stubbs was named Player of the Match after playing a composed role in the chase, while David Miller provided a decisive late contribution.
April 27, 2026 – Delhi Capitals vs RCB
The return match in Delhi produced one of RCB’s most dominant wins against the Capitals.
Delhi were bowled out for only 75 in 16.3 overs. RCB then chased the target in just 6.3 overs, finishing on 77/1.
RCB won by nine wickets, completing the chase with 81 balls remaining.
The 2026 season therefore ended with one victory apiece.
Complete Delhi Capitals vs RCB Match Timeline
The following table summarizes the chronological IPL history between the two franchises.
| Year | Venue | Result |
| 2008 | Delhi | Delhi won by 10 runs |
| 2008 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 5 wickets |
| 2009 | Gqeberha | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
| 2009 | Johannesburg | RCB won by 7 wickets |
| 2010 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 17 runs |
| 2010 | Delhi | Delhi won by 37 runs |
| 2011 | Delhi | RCB won by 3 wickets |
| 2012 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 20 runs |
| 2012 | Delhi | RCB won by 21 runs |
| 2013 | Bengaluru | Match tied |
| 2013 | Delhi | RCB won by 4 runs |
| 2014 | Sharjah | RCB won by 8 wickets |
| 2014 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 16 runs |
| 2015 | Delhi | No Result |
| 2016 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 7 wickets |
| 2016 | Raipur | RCB won by 6 wickets |
| 2017 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 15 runs |
| 2017 | Delhi | RCB won by 10 runs |
| 2018 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 6 wickets |
| 2018 | Delhi | RCB won by 5 wickets |
| 2019 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 4 wickets |
| 2019 | Delhi | Delhi won by 16 runs |
| 2020 | Dubai | Delhi won by 59 runs |
| 2020 | Abu Dhabi | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
| 2021 | Ahmedabad | RCB won by 1 run |
| 2021 | Dubai | Delhi won by 7 wickets |
| 2022 | Mumbai | RCB won by 16 runs |
| 2023 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 23 runs |
| 2023 | Delhi | Delhi won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 47 runs |
| 2025 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
| 2025 | Delhi | RCB won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 | Delhi | RCB won by 9 wickets |
The chronological record shows how the balance has shifted across different periods of IPL history. Delhi dominated several early seasons, while RCB established a stronger run during parts of the 2010s. More recent seasons have generally produced split results.
Most Memorable Delhi Capitals vs RCB Matches
The 2013 Tie
The 2013 match in Bengaluru remains a unique entry in the rivalry. Both teams finished with 152 runs, producing a tied IPL match.
The 2016 Delhi Chase
Delhi successfully chased 192 against RCB in Bengaluru, winning by seven wickets after RCB had posted 191/5.
The 2021 One-Run Thriller
RCB defeated Delhi by only one run in Ahmedabad. RCB made 171/5, while Delhi ended on 170/4.
The 2023 High-Scoring Chase
Delhi chased 182 against RCB in 2023, reaching 187/3 and winning by seven wickets.
The 2026 Six-Wicket Chase
Delhi chased 176 in Bengaluru, reaching 179/4 on the final delivery to defeat RCB by six wickets.
The 2026 Nine-Wicket RCB Victory
Just nine days later, RCB responded with a dominant performance in Delhi. The Capitals were bowled out for 75 before RCB reached 77/1 in only 6.3 overs.
Major Records in the Rivalry
The Delhi Capitals-RCB fixture has produced several notable statistical moments.
| Record/Category | Match or Season |
| First meeting | 2008 |
| Most wins overall | RCB |
| First IPL meeting | 2008 |
| Only tied match | 2013 |
| Only no-result match | 2015 |
| Highest RCB total against Delhi | 215/1 in 2012 |
| Highest Delhi total against RCB | 196/4 in 2020 |
| Biggest RCB win by runs | 47 runs in 2024 |
| Biggest RCB win by wickets | 10 wickets in 2015 |
| Biggest Delhi win by runs | 59 runs in 2020 |
| Biggest Delhi win by wickets | 7 wickets in 2016 and 2023 |
| Most recent meeting | RCB won by 9 wickets in 2026 |
The 215/1 scored by RCB in Delhi in 2012 remains one of the most notable batting totals in the fixture. Delhi’s 196/4 in Dubai in 2020 was also a major scoring performance.
Rivalry at Different Venues
Venue conditions have often influenced the character of this contest.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
The Bengaluru venue has traditionally produced high-scoring IPL cricket. The short boundaries and batting-friendly conditions have allowed both teams to produce successful chases and large totals.
Arun Jaitley Stadium
Delhi’s home ground has produced a mixture of high-scoring matches and low totals. The venue has hosted several important meetings between the franchises, including RCB’s 2026 nine-wicket victory.
Neutral Venues
The teams have also faced each other outside their traditional home grounds. The 2009 IPL was played in South Africa, while the 2014 season included a meeting in Sharjah and the 2020 season was played in the UAE.
These matches added another dimension to the rivalry because both teams had to adjust to unfamiliar conditions.
How the Rivalry Has Changed
The Delhi franchise began IPL history as the Delhi Daredevils before becoming Delhi Capitals in 2019. RCB initially competed under the name Royal Challengers Bangalore before adopting Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024.
Despite the changes in branding, the competitive history remains continuous because the franchise identities and IPL records are connected.
The rivalry has also moved through several tactical eras. Early matches often revolved around established international stars, while more recent encounters have featured deeper batting lineups, specialist death bowling, impact players, and more aggressive powerplay strategies.
Recent Form of the Rivalry
The recent head-to-head record has been relatively competitive.
From 2023 through the two meetings of 2026, the teams have produced the following results:
| Season | Delhi Capitals Wins | RCB Wins |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
The recent results show that neither franchise has completely controlled the fixture. The 2026 meetings especially demonstrated the contrast that can exist between two matches in the same season: Delhi won a close chase in Bengaluru before RCB responded with a nine-wicket victory in Delhi.
Final Thoughts
The Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline stretches from the first IPL season in 2008 to the latest meetings in 2026.
Across 35 matches, the rivalry has featured dramatic chases, narrow victories, tied games, dominant bowling displays, huge totals, and major individual performances. RCB currently lead the overall head-to-head record, while Delhi have also enjoyed several strong periods and memorable victories.
The rivalry has continued to evolve alongside the IPL itself. From the Delhi Daredevils era and Royal Challengers Bangalore years to the current Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru identities, the fixture has remained a regular part of the league calendar.
The contrasting results in 2026 showed why this matchup remains difficult to predict from one game to the next. Delhi won a last-ball chase in Bengaluru, while RCB responded with a nine-wicket demolition in Delhi only days later.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first play each other?
Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first met in the inaugural IPL season on April 30, 2008. Delhi Daredevils won that match by 10 runs.
How many times have Delhi Capitals and RCB played each other?
The two franchises have played 35 IPL matches through the 2026 season. RCB have won 21, Delhi have won 13, and one match ended without a result.
Who has won more matches between Delhi Capitals and RCB?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru currently have more IPL victories in the head-to-head record, with 21 wins compared with Delhi Capitals’ 13.
Have Delhi Capitals and RCB ever tied an IPL match?
Yes. Their April 16, 2013 match in Bengaluru ended in a tie, with both teams finishing on 152 runs.
What happened in the latest Delhi Capitals vs RCB match?
In their latest meeting on April 27, 2026, RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by nine wickets in Delhi. Delhi were bowled out for 75, and RCB reached 77/1 in 6.3 overs.