Sameer Rizvi Out, Nitish Rana In? DC Predicted Playing XI vs RCB for IPL 2026, Match 26

Delhi Capitals cricket team [Source: AP]

The Delhi Capitals are all set to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their next encounter on April 18. The match is scheduled at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where it will start live for fans from 3:30 PM IST.

RCB and Delhi Capitals are both in solid form, with Delhi losing two back-to-back matches, while RCB have won two straight matches. Delhi's batting unit has suffered the most in the previous two losses, and they will likely be preparing for a strong playing XI against the table-toppers of IPL 2026.

With DC losing against Chennai Super Kings while chasing 213 runs at Chepauk, the batting unit, especially the middle order, needs some rework, with a probable swap in the bowling department as well.

Hence, ahead of the match, let's take a look at how Delhi Capitals can field the most effective playing XI against RCB in the upcoming clash.

DC Playing XI vs RCB, IPL 2026, Match 26

Top Order: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul, Sameer Rizvi

The top order of Delhi Capitals looks solid and stable with KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka opening with the bat. Both these batters have amassed 238 runs together when their individual scores in IPL 2026 are added.

So far, Nissanka has been displaying solid, consistent form with the bat, while KL Rahul, too, has been in decent form at a strike rate of 168.18.

Nissanka has already struck 17 boundaries in this tournament so far and promises to be a solid powerplay prospect for Delhi in the upcoming clash.

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Following the openers, Sameer Rizvi, the latest sensation for the Delhi Capitals, will come out to bat at number 3. Rizvi had brilliant outings against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians with scores of 70 and 90, respectively.

However, he had poor outings against GT and CSK, where he was dismissed for a duck and just 6 runs, calling for an immediate swap. Nevertheless, Rizvi will be backed by the management to bounce back from his recent failures. Even after the stumble, Rizvi averages 55.33 in the tournament while striking at 153.70.

Middle Order & All-Rounders: Axar Patel, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs

While the middle-order batting lineup and positions depend on the need of the hour, it is likely that Axar Patel will come in to bat at number four. The skipper of Delhi Capitals has been shining with both the bat and the ball and can do wonders with his middle-order hitting in crunch situations.

David Miller, aka ‘Killer Miller’, the aggressive Proteas batter in the middle order, can also close out a chase, and if paired with Tristan Stubbs, the duo can chase down even mammoth totals or put up solid runs on the board, while guiding the team through pressure situations.

So far, Miller has been underwhelming with the bat, with only 79 runs from his four outings. However, it is unlikely that Miller will be substituted by someone like Karun Nair, given the fact that Miller possesses greater striking ability.

Tristan Stubbs, meanwhile, is a potential match-winner and will continue to steer the team out of any unnecessary trouble.

Bowlers: Mukesh Kumar, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan

The bowling unit looks well-armed with four pace options at Delhi's disposal, while Mukesh Kumar or Auqib Nabi can be an impact substitute for either Nitish Rana or Ashutosh Sharma. The overhaul of pacers will surely give Delhi Capitals an edge on the Chinnaswamy pitch, where spin is usually ineffective.

Kuldeep Yadav, one of the leading wicket-takers for Delhi this year, will be handling the spin department with Axar Patel, who are known to extract spin even from the hardest of pitches like Chinnaswamy, capping off the bowling attack.

DC Playing XI vs RCB- Match 26, IPL 2026

Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Mukesh Kumar, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan