After their first home defeat in IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Rajat Patidar still looked positive about his team’s performance and highlighted that it is a longer tournament and they will get more chances to bounce back.
Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals clash in a highly anticipated encounter as the Capitals look for their third win in the competition. After making a promising start to their IPL 2026 campaign, they suffered two losses followed by two wins in the beginning. A win for the Capitals would mean they can bounce back to finish fourth on the points table.
RCB, on the other hand, have continued their excellent form since 2025 and this time captain Rajat Patidar is leading from the front. RCB, currently in second place before the start of the match, will not slip down immediately even if they lose the game, but it will certainly be their first setback on their home ground this season; Hence, the Patidar-led team would like to continue their winning streak on home ground.
RCB fast bowlers are facing problems due to dominance of DC bowlers in death overs.
RCB’s batsmen have delivered the best and most consistent performances so far in this edition of the competition. The openers have performed well on alternate occasions, while the middle order has supported them brilliantly. Especially captain Rajat Patidar has led by example.
However, despite a brilliant start from Phil Salt in this game too, the RCB batsmen struggled to maintain the flow of runs as he fell to a wide ball from Kuldeep Yadav, which he sent to Tristan Stubbs at long off.
Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd, all the big hitters, missed out as DC’s bowlers took control at the death. Ngidi bowled some shocking slower balls, while Natarajan continued his fine magic in the death overs as he bowled six yorkers in an over.
KL Rahul beats Chinnaswamy while Stubbs takes DC over the line
Talking about DC’s innings, their innings had a contradictory start and in-form Pathum Nissanka was dismissed early by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. RCB dominated them as they dismissed Karun Nair and Sameer Rizvi in their next over.
However, Karnataka’s local boy, KL Rahul was at the crease, and he helped Tristan Stubbs get the time he needed to settle down. Rahul attacked while Stubbs batted deep. In the end, after Rahul was out after his half-century, Stubbs scored an unbeaten 60.
David Miller was once again the hero while chasing 13 runs on the last four balls of the innings. He hit the ball to all parts of the ground, scoring 16 runs off just 3 balls and taking Delhi home with those two runs.
“We will reform them.” – Rajat Patidar admitted mistakes, agreed to introspect and correct them
Rajat Patidar claimed that despite a good start, the team could not continue scoring runs in the latter part of its innings. Rajat Patidar said, “It was very close, but I think we were 15-20 runs short. The way we started in the beginning, especially Virat bhai and Salt, they gave a good start, but after 12-13 overs, we lost wickets in a few overs and that put us behind.”
“I think in the first innings, I would say it was a bit difficult. But I think the way we scored in the last over, I think it’s a positive sign for us. But I think I was just discussing with the bowlers that whatever they do, be clear.”
“It is a long tournament, but I think we will go back and introspect where we made mistakes and we will correct them,” Rajat Patidar said.
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