Former India cricketers Manoj Tiwary and Mohit Sharma named the players they feel could have a major say in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Delhi Capitals (DC). The two sides will face each other in an afternoon clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on Saturday, April 18.
DC are on the lookout to return to winning ways after their promising start was squandered after back-to-back losses. RCB, on the other hand, have won both their home matches so far, including the recent success against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The Rajat Patidar-led side also have the opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the points table with a potential fifth win of the season.
After losing each of their first three home games in IPL 2025, RCB have turned things around at the Chinnaswamy, going unbeaten in their last four outings at the venue. Manoj Tiwary praised the franchise’s game plan to make their home ground a fortress.
“The way they have addressed the issue, they have found the formula to win home matches. I think their batting is more or less covered. Since Rajat Patidar has taken over as captain, his game has changed completely, and the way he is batting, the time is not far away when he will play for India as well,” Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
“From DC, I am going with KL Rahul, and from RCB’s side I am going with Phil Salt,” he added.
Former India bowler Mohit Sharma, on the other hand, picked Virat Kohli to continue his rich vein of form, and picked a fellow pacer from DC’s side.
“From RCB, it has to be Virat Kohli and from DC, my brother, Mukesh Kumar,” he said.
Virat Kohli had to feature as an impact player for the first time in his career during the win over LSG after he sustained an injury while playing against the Mumbai Indians (MI) before.
Mukesh Kumar has picked up four wickets in four matches this IPL season so far, at an average of 33.75 and an economy of 9.64. However, he is yet to pick up a single wicket away from home.
DC defeated RCB at the Chinnaswamy during their last meeting at the venue in IPL 2025
The last time the two sides had faced each other at the iconic venue, the visitors had recorded a six-wicket win after a memorable knock by KL Rahul. Playing on his home ground as a visiting player, the wicket-keeper batter struck an unbeaten 93 off 53 deliveries in a tense run chase.
KL Rahul has a staggering average of 43.18 and a strike rate of 143.94 at the venue in the IPL across 18 appearances.
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Edited by Gokul Nair