DC vs RCB IPL 2025 Clash: As Delhi battles an unforgiving heatwave with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is ready to host an equally fiery clash between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With both teams firmly in the playoff race and sitting close on the IPL 2025 points table, this Match 46 encounter promises a gripping spectacle on Sunday, April 27 at 7:30 PM IST.
The Playoff Race Heats Up
The IPL 2025 standings are tighter than ever, with three teams, including DC and RCB, locked at 12 points each. Every match is now a virtual knockout, and neither side can afford to slip. DC come into this game riding the momentum of a comfortable win over Lucknow Super Giants, where their bowlers fought back fiercely to restrict the opposition to 159 before chasing it with ease. RCB, on the other hand, broke their home jinx with a spirited victory against Rajasthan Royals, thanks largely to a strong middle-overs squeeze from their spinners and a clutch penultimate over from Josh Hazlewood.
When Rahul Shined, Now It’s Kohli’s Turn
When these two teams last faced off, KL Rahul played a memorable knock to lead his side to victory at the Chinnaswamy. His animated celebration, pounding his chest and slamming his bat into the turf, declared, “this is my ground.” Now, the narrative shifts to Delhi, Kohli’s backyard, where he commands an almost mythical following. Recently, thousands had flocked just to catch a glimpse of him at a Ranji Trophy game. Can King Kohli reclaim his fortress and ignite Delhi with a match-winning knock?
What to Expect at the Arun Jaitley Stadium
High-scoring thrillers have become a trend in Delhi this season. In the two games held here, Mumbai Indians defended 205, while DC edged past Rajasthan Royals in a Super Over after defending 188. The average first-innings total this year stands at a staggering 235 — the highest among all IPL venues.
The pitch for Sunday’s match appeared greenish on the eve but is expected to aid good strokeplay. With a decent grass covering, reverse swing might not be a big factor, offering pure batting conditions under the hot Delhi skies.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Historically, RCB hold a clear edge over DC, leading 19-12 with one no-result. Since 2021, DC have managed just two wins against the Bengaluru side. At Arun Jaitley Stadium, DC have won four and lost six against RCB — a stat they would be eager to improve.
Team Updates and Key Matchups
Delhi Capitals:
Good news for DC as Faf du Plessis looks fit and ready, likely to feature either as a starter or an impact substitute. Jake Fraser-McGurk confirmed the South African’s fitness in the pre-match press conference. With strong hitters like KL Rahul and du Plessis in the mix, DC will be banking on their ability to take on RCB’s new-ball bowlers, especially Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, against whom Rahul enjoys impressive strike rates.
Probable XI:
Abishek Porel, Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mukesh Kumar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
RCB have no injury concerns and will likely stick with the winning combination. Their strategy to neutralize Mitchell Starc upfront will revolve around Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, who have been untroubled by Starc in T20s so far. Kohli, notably, has scored 88 runs off Starc without being dismissed.
Probable XI:
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Stat Nuggets:
- Delhi Capitals are among the only two teams striking at 150+ against spin this IPL, hitting a boundary every five balls.
- RCB’s spinners have taken 17 wickets in their six wins at an economy of 8.33, but only one wicket in their three losses.
- Mitchell Starc has the highest economy rate in the powerplay this season — 11.37.
- KL Rahul averages a jaw-dropping 74.1 against RCB with a strike rate of 147.31, including a century and four fifties.
- Virat Kohli has amassed 1103 runs against DC in T20s at an average of 50.13 and shines at Arun Jaitley with a T20 average of 60.45.
