DC-W Delhi Capitals
RCB-W Royal Challengers Bengaluru
WPL
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Recap
Last updated: 27 January 2026
Result: Delhi Capitals won by 7 wickets (111/3 v 109/10)
Our Pick: Royal Challengers Bengaluru @ 1.75 (+7.9% edge)
Outcome: Lost (-1 unit)
Pre-match analysis published on 24 January 2026:
The rematch arrives with everything on the line for one team. Royal Challengers Bengaluru demolished Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets just seven days ago - Smriti Mandhana scoring 96 as RCB chased 166 with ease. Now Delhi must win all three remaining games to make playoffs. RCB are already through with a perfect 5-0 record. The historical H2H favours DC 5-4, but RCB have won when it matters most - the WPL 2024 final.
Delhi Capitals' 2025/2026: Fighting for Survival
Three-time finalists Delhi Capitals find themselves in unfamiliar territory - bottom of the table with a negative NRR. Their WPL 2026 record shows L-L-W-L-W across five matches:
- Match 1 vs Mumbai Indians - Lost by 50 runs. Chasing 196, DC collapsed with no answer to MI's bowling.
- Match 3 vs Gujarat Giants - Lost by 4 runs. Fell agonisingly short chasing 210, showing fight but lacking finishing.
- Match 7 vs UP Warriorz - Won by 7 wickets. First win of the season, finally clicking as a unit.
- Match 11 vs RCB (Jan 17) - Lost by 8 wickets. Scored 166 but RCB chased it with 10 balls to spare. Mandhana 96.
- Match 13 vs Mumbai Indians (Jan 20) - Won by 7 wickets. Jemimah Rodrigues 51*, Lizelle Lee 46 anchored a confident chase of 155.
Jemimah Rodrigues was appointed captain ahead of this season, replacing Meg Lanning who wasn't retained. She's led from the front in both wins.
Key concern: RCB dismantled DC's batting just seven days ago. Rodrigues' side needs to find at least 20-25 more runs in the first innings to have a chance.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 2025/2026: History in the Making
The defending WPL 2024 champions are rewriting records. RCB's form reads W-W-W-W-W - the first team in WPL history to win six consecutive matches (including last season's final):
- Match 1 vs Mumbai Indians (Jan 10) - Won by 3 wickets. Nadine de Klerk 63*, 4/26 - match-winning all-round display.
- Match 5 vs UP Warriorz (Jan 12) - Won by 9 wickets. Grace Harris 85, Mandhana 47* as RCB crushed the chase.
- Match 9 vs Gujarat Giants (Jan 16) - Won by 32 runs. Shreyanka Patil 5/23 demolished GG. Radha Yadav 66, Richa Ghosh 44 built the innings.
- Match 11 vs Delhi Capitals (Jan 17) - Won by 8 wickets. Mandhana's 96 was a masterclass. Chased 166 in 18.2 overs.
- Match 12 vs Gujarat Giants (Jan 19, Vadodara) - Won by 61 runs. Defended 178. Gautami Naik 73 anchored innings, bowlers restricted GG to 117/8.
RCB secured playoff qualification after just five games - the earliest in WPL history. Smriti Mandhana captains a side with match-winners across all departments.
Key strength: RCB successfully defended 178 at Vadodara on Jan 19. This disproves any notion that chasing is the only way to win at this venue.
Key Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Role | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB | Captain/Opener | 96 vs DC (Jan 17) |
| Nadine de Klerk | RCB | All-rounder | 10 wickets - Joint Purple Cap |
| Shreyanka Patil | RCB | Spinner | 8 wickets inc. 5/23 vs GG |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | DC | Captain/Batter | 51* vs MI (Jan 20) |
| Nandini Sharma | DC | Spinner | 8 wickets - Only hat-trick of WPL 2026 |
Head-to-Head Record
RCB won the WPL 2024 final by 8 wickets.
Most recent: RCB won by 8 wickets (Jan 17, 2026)
Venue and Conditions
BCA Stadium, Vadodara opened in December 2024 - a brand new venue with limited match data. WPL 2026 has seen two matches here: RCB defended 178 vs GG (Jan 19), DC chased 155 vs MI (Jan 20). Dew plays a role in evening matches, but RCB proved 175+ totals can be defended with quality bowling.
Why RCB Are Favourites
Our Prediction
Delhi have quality - Jemimah Rodrigues showed character with 51* against MI, and Shafali Verma can take any attack apart in the powerplay. But the combination of RCB's perfect form, recent 8-wicket demolition of DC, and proven ability to defend at Vadodara makes them heavy favourites.
DC's biggest problem: they scored 166 against this RCB attack just seven days ago, and it wasn't remotely enough. Unless they find 25+ more runs, the same result awaits.
Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win
Confidence: 65%
Betting Value
Staking: 1 unit = 1% of your betting bankroll. We recommend 1.5u for edges above 8%, 1u for 5-8%, and 0.5u for edges between 2-5%.
