The tactical flexibility of the 'Impact Player' rule is set to take centre stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Delhi Capitals (DC) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After winning the toss in Match 26 of the 2026 IPL season, Delhi Capitals captain KL Rahul opted to bowl first on a dry, hard surface that promises plenty of runs. With the afternoon heat reaching 36°C and no dew expected, both sides have named strategic substitute lists designed to balance their squads as the match progresses. You can follow the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals Match Scorecard.

With RCB batting first, the home side is likely to deploy Rasikh Salam as their primary Impact Player during the second innings. The young pacer has been in fine form this season and could prove vital under the sun.

Should the top order stumble early, RCB also have the luxury of calling upon Venkatesh Iyer to stabilise the middle overs. Their substitute list is rounded out by Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, and Vicky Ostwal, providing coverage for various match scenarios.

RCB XI: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs:

  • Rasikh Salam Dar

  • Venkatesh Iyer

  • Jordan Cox

  • Mangesh Yadav

  • Vicky Ostwal

The Delhi Capitals have structured their squad to maximise their bowling depth in the first half of the game. Having named a potent attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi, they are expected to introduce a specialist batter in the second innings. Why Are RCB Wearing Green Jersey in IPL 2026 Match vs DC? Know Reason

Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma headline the Capitals' substitute bench. Given the nature of the Chinnaswamy boundaries, bringing in a power-hitter like Ashutosh Sharma during the chase could be the decisive move for the visitors.

DC XI: 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

Delhi Capitals Impact Subs

  •  Vipraj Nigam

  • Ashutosh Sharma

  • Karun Nair

  • Dushmantha Chameera

  • Nitish Rana

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a batter's paradise, though recent matches have shown the surface can be slightly slower than in previous years. The lack of dew in this afternoon fixture will be a relief for the spinners, who have struggled with a wet ball in night games.

RCB currently sit at the top of the points table and will be looking to extend their lead, while Delhi are searching for much-needed consistency in their 2026 campaign.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 18, 2026 03:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).