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The Delhi Capitals Vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline covers one of the long-running rivalries in Indian Premier League history. The two franchises first met during the inaugural IPL season in 2008, when Delhi played as the Delhi Daredevils and Bengaluru competed as Royal Challengers Bangalore. Over the years, the rivalry has included close finishes, high scoring matches, dramatic chases, a tied match decided by a Super Over, and several important changes in team identity.
Delhi Capitals adopted their current name in 2019, while Royal Challengers Bangalore became Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024. Despite those changes, the head to head history remains continuous because the franchises are the same. As of the end of the 2026 IPL season, the teams have faced each other 36 times, including one no result. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won 21 completed matches, while Delhi Capitals have won 13. The 2015 meeting that was abandoned without a result is included in the overall fixture history.
2008 To 2010 The Beginning Of The Rivalry
The first meeting between Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore took place on April 30, 2008, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Delhi posted 191 for 5 and defeated Bengaluru by 10 runs. Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan were among the important contributors during the early period of the rivalry.
The return fixture was played in Bengaluru on May 19, 2008. Delhi again came out on top, winning by five wickets after chasing 155. This gave Delhi two victories from the first two meetings.
The 2009 season produced a split result. Delhi won the April encounter in Port Elizabeth by six wickets, while Bengaluru won the Johannesburg meeting by seven wickets. In 2010, Delhi again controlled both fixtures, winning by 17 runs in Bengaluru and 37 runs in Delhi.
| Year | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Delhi | Delhi won by 10 runs |
| 2008 | Bengaluru | Delhi won by 5 wickets |
| 2009 | Port Elizabeth | 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 |
These opening seasons established Delhi as the stronger side in the early head to head record. However, the balance of the rivalry changed considerably after 2010.
2011 To 2016 RCB Establishes Control
The 2011 season marked an important change in the rivalry. Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Delhi Daredevils by three wickets in a close contest at Delhi. RCB then won both meetings in 2012, including a 20 run victory in Bengaluru and a 21 run victory in Delhi.
The 2012 match in Delhi was particularly notable for RCB’s batting performance. Bengaluru scored 215 for 1, one of the highest totals in the history of this fixture at that time.
The 2013 season produced one of the most memorable matches between the teams. The first encounter ended with both teams on 152, resulting in a tie. Royal Challengers Bangalore won the subsequent one over eliminator. RCB then won the second meeting by four runs.
RCB continued their advantage in 2014, winning both matches. In 2015, Bengaluru won the first fixture by 10 wickets, while the second match was abandoned without a result. Delhi returned to winning ways in 2016 with a seven wicket victory in Bengaluru, but RCB won the return match in Raipur by six wickets.
| Year | Delhi Result | RCB Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Lost by 3 wickets | Won |
| 2012 | Lost by 20 runs | Won |
| 2012 | Lost by 21 runs | Won |
| 2013 | Lost in Super Over | Won |
| 2013 | Lost by 4 runs | Won |
| 2014 | Lost by 8 wickets | Won |
| 2014 | Lost by 16 runs | Won |
| 2015 | Lost by 10 wickets | Won |
| 2015 | No result | No result |
| 2016 | Won by 7 wickets | Lost |
| 2016 | Lost by 6 wickets | Won |
2017 To 2020 A Competitive Middle Period
The 2017 season saw RCB win both matches, by 15 runs and 10 runs respectively. In 2018, Bengaluru again won both meetings, defeating Delhi by six wickets in Bengaluru and five wickets in Delhi.
Delhi’s results improved in 2019. The Capitals won both league meetings against RCB, first by four wickets in Bengaluru and then by 16 runs in Delhi. This was followed by another strong Delhi campaign against Bengaluru in 2020. Playing in the United Arab Emirates, Delhi won by 59 runs in Dubai and then by six wickets in Abu Dhabi.
The 2020 fixtures were particularly interesting because the IPL was held outside India due to the circumstances surrounding that season. Delhi’s two victories demonstrated how the rivalry continued to produce different results when matches were played at neutral venues.
| Year | Match 1 | Match 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | RCB won by 15 runs | RCB won by 10 runs |
| 2018 | RCB won by 6 wickets | RCB won by 5 wickets |
| 2019 | Delhi won by 4 wickets | Delhi won by 16 runs |
| 2020 | Delhi won by 59 runs | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
This four season period produced an interesting swing. RCB dominated 2017 and 2018, while Delhi responded by winning all four meetings in 2019 and 2020.
2021 To 2024 Close Matches And RCB Dominance
The 2021 season returned the rivalry to close finishes. RCB won the first meeting by just one run after Delhi fell short while chasing 172. Bengaluru also won the second meeting by seven wickets.
In 2022, RCB again defeated Delhi, this time by 16 runs. The 2023 season was split between the teams. Bengaluru won the first match by 23 runs, while Delhi won the second by seven wickets.
The 2024 meeting produced another substantial RCB victory. Bengaluru scored 187 for 9 before dismissing Delhi for 140, winning by 47 runs.
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2021 | RCB won by 1 run |
| 2021 | RCB won by 7 wickets |
| 2022 | RCB won by 16 runs |
| 2023 | RCB won by 23 runs |
| 2023 | Delhi won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | RCB won by 47 runs |
The one run victory in 2021 remains one of the closest finishes in the fixture’s history. The match demonstrated how even a small difference in the final overs can determine the result between these two sides.
2025 To 2026 Recent Timeline
The 2025 season again produced contrasting results. On April 10, Delhi defeated RCB by six wickets in Bengaluru. RCB scored 163 for 7, but Delhi successfully chased the target with 169 for 4. The return fixture on April 27 went in the opposite direction, with RCB defeating Delhi by six wickets after chasing 163.
The 2026 season featured two meetings. On April 18, Delhi Capitals defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB made 175 for 8, while Delhi reached 179 for 4. KL Rahul scored 57 and Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 60 during Delhi’s successful chase.
The teams met again on April 27 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi were bowled out for only 75, and RCB chased the target with 77 for 1 to win by nine wickets. This gave RCB one victory in the 2026 season series and Delhi one victory.
| Year | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 10 | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
| 2025 | April 27 | RCB won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 | April 18 | Delhi won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 | April 27 | RCB won by 9 wickets |
Overall Head To Head Timeline
Looking at the complete history, the rivalry has gone through several distinct phases. Delhi won both meetings in 2008 and remained highly competitive during the first three seasons. RCB then established a significant advantage from 2011 through 2018, with particularly strong results between 2012 and 2018.
Delhi responded strongly from 2019 through 2020, winning four consecutive matches against RCB. The following seasons again moved toward RCB, although Delhi continued to produce important victories.
The current overall record after the 2026 season stands at 21 wins for RCB and 13 for Delhi, with one no result in the historical fixture list. The recent head to head has been more competitive, with the teams exchanging victories during the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
| Period | Main Pattern |
|---|---|
| 2008 to 2010 | Delhi had the stronger record |
| 2011 to 2018 | RCB established sustained dominance |
| 2019 to 2020 | Delhi won four consecutive matches |
| 2021 to 2024 | RCB regained the advantage |
| 2025 | One win each |
| 2026 | One win each |
| Overall through 2026 | RCB 21 wins, Delhi 13 wins, 1 no result |
Conclusion
The Delhi Capitals Vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline shows how the IPL rivalry has changed across different generations of players and team identities. Delhi dominated the opening years, while RCB became the stronger side through much of the middle period. Delhi’s four match winning run across 2019 and 2020 added another important chapter, followed by renewed RCB success in several later seasons. The 2025 and 2026 seasons produced balanced results, with both teams recording victories. From the inaugural 2008 meetings to the latest 2026 encounters, the fixture has remained an important part of the IPL schedule.
FAQs
1. When did Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first play each other?
The first meeting took place on April 30, 2008, during the inaugural IPL season. Delhi Daredevils defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 10 runs in Delhi.
2. What was the closest match between Delhi and RCB?
One of the closest matches came on April 27, 2021, when Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Delhi Capitals by just one run. RCB scored 171 for 5 and Delhi finished on 170 for 4.
3. Has a Delhi Capitals versus RCB match ever been tied?
Yes. Their April 16, 2013 meeting ended with both teams level on 152 runs. RCB subsequently won the one over eliminator.
4. How many times have Delhi Capitals and RCB played each other?
Through the 2026 IPL season, the two franchises have appeared against each other 36 times, with 35 producing a result and one ending without a result. RCB have won 21 and Delhi have won 13 of the completed contests.
5. What happened in the latest Delhi Capitals versus RCB match?
The latest meeting took place on April 27, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi were dismissed for 75, after which RCB reached 77 for 1 and won by nine wickets.
