The IPL brings an enervating atmosphere and attracts an audience of fans from around the world. Just like any other sport, the IPL has birthed innumerable rivalries, one of which is the clash between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Delhi Capitals Cricket vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Cricket Timeline has been an incredible 18-year journey highlighting a roller-coaster of adventures that have produced 33 matches between two IPL teams which have been willing to push boundaries with T20 cricket. Whether it was an unbelievable last ball finish or a player shocking the cricketing world, the matches told unique stories that captured the heart and soul of T20 cricket.
Despite notuming have won the IPL cricket trophy (as of 2025), both franchises have produced a plethora of experiences, especially when facing their hostile rival RCB v. DC. Let us now go into incredible history of the DC v RCB rivalry, highlighting their journey from season to season and key players and turning points.
Phase 1: The Early Delhi Dominance (2008–2010)
Matches Played: 6 | DC Wins: 5 | RCB Wins: 1
While Delhi (known as Delhi Daredevils back then) were dominant early in the history of the IPL, led by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, they had an explosive batting lineup that could take apart any attack.
- 2008: Delhi Capitals won both matches, the first match in Delhi by 10 runs and the second match in Bangalore by 5 wickets.
- 2009: The IPL was in South Africa. It was great to see Delhi win the match in Port Elizabeth, while RCB began to win in Johannesburg, having lost 4 in a row; a confident chase by RCB, we anticipated it was a turnaround for them.
- 2010: Delhi again won both matches but managed to win the home game by 37 runs.
RCB during this period, with their superstar set of cricketers, failed to match what was consistent with Delhi.
Phase 2: The RCB Takeover (2011–2015)
Matches Played: 8 | RCB Wins: 7 | DC Wins: 1 | No Result: 1
Everything flipped around in 2011. RCB and a trio of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers began their dominance over Delhi.
- 2011: RCB won by three wickets and started a dominant stretch.
- 2012–2014: RCB won five straight games against Delhi, including a Super Over win in 2013, showing their capacity for fighting back.
- 2015: One game saw RCB thump DC by 10 wickets, and the other saw no result, but clearly, Bengaluru were riding a wave of momentum.
During this time, RCB’s aggressive brand of cricket took control of a struggling Delhi franchise that was trying to find its way.
Phase 3: An Evenly Matched Contest (2016–2018)
Matches Played: 5 | RCB Wins: 4 | DC Wins: 1
Despite RCB keeping a narrow lead, this era was starting to show signs of a change in the future of Delhi.
- 2016: DC beat RCB in their own den, winning quite comfortably by 7 wickets, with Quinton de Kock doing all the damage.
- 2017-2018: RCB took back control with 4 wins in two years. However, Delhi started the process of restructuring the squad, beginning to buy in youth. Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Kagiso Rabada were purchased to build for the future.
While results were still slightly in favour of Bengaluru, the blueprint was clearly being laid for a brighter future in Delhi.
Phase 4: The Rise of Delhi Capitals (2019–2020)
Matches Played: 4 | DC Wins: 4 | RCB Wins: 0
This was a watershed moment in the rivalry. The renamed D.C. franchise almost went through a complete transformation. Their captaincy, plans and execution were firing on all cylinders.
- 2019: D.C. won both matches, including an away game in Bengaluru, which is exceptionally rare.
- 2020: They did it again, in the UAE in a pandemic-affected season, again winning by 59 runs in Dubai and by 6 wickets in “Abu Dhabi”.
With a good blend of youth and experience, DC came together to become a force; in this period, DC dominated RCB significantly in this period.
Phase 5: Narrow Margins and Twists (2021–2022)
Matches Played: 3 | RCB Wins: 3 | DC Wins: 0
This stage was characterized by close finishes and tactical duels.
- 2021: RCB won a nail-biter by 1 run while defending a paltry total in Ahmedabad. Later that year, they took care of DC again in Dubai.
- 2022: RCB kept their composure and won by 16 runs at the Wankhede.
Delhi had come a long way; they improved significantly, but RCB’s experience in tight moments gave them the edge.
Phase 6: Tug of War (2023–2025)
Matches Played: 6 | DC Wins: 3 | RCB Wins: 3
The current chapter shows an evenly matched competition.
- 2023: Each team had a win against each other — RCB by 23 runs, and DC by 7 wickets.
- 2024: RCB beat DC soundly by 47 runs, but would receive payback in 2025’s first game with a successful chase by DC. RCB would turn the tables and win the return fixture in Delhi by 6 wickets.
- 2025: In their first meeting of the season, DC won at Chinnaswamy by 6 wickets and RCB payback with the same intensity at Arun Jaitey Stadium by handing DC a 6-wicket defeat.
This current chapter features new stars, like Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj.
Notable Performers
- Virat Kohli (RCB): Consistently among the leading scorers in the rivalry; consistently on the list of notable performers in the matches between the teams.
- AB de Villiers (RCB): Provided several match-winning innings in his career.
- Rishabh Pant (DC): Has provided aggressive innings since taking over the captaincy – a serious contender.
- Kagiso Rabada (DC): Taking wickets at key moments aided DC’s emergence as a competition alongside RCB.
- Mohammed Siraj (RCB): As RCB’s recent batch of bowlers, he provided consistent breakthroughs.
Tactical Trends
Powerplays Matter: RCB’s often aggressive starts (with players such as Gayle and Kohli) usually gave the team an advantage on the scoreboard. Many matches where teams won the powerplay ended up winning the match, as well.
Spin in Delhi, Pace in Bengaluru: Several outcomes came down to the conditions at the venues – spinners who found success at Delhi’s venue, while players at Bengaluru benefitted from the pace and took advantage of runs. RCB’s inconsistent success may also be a reflection of their home, remorseless chasing at the venue.
Finishing: Several matches, during the past decade, came down the last 2 or 3 overs of the match as the groups scored widely through the death overs due to players such as Pant, Maxwell, and Stoinis constantly contributing in their respective matches with match-defining finishes.
What Lies Ahead?
As IPL continues to innovate with mega auctions, youth talent and new tactics, this rivalry is far from established. Delhi and Bengaluru encompass two cricketing cultures – one is aggressive and reborn, the other is flamboyant and historic.
Both teams are still in search of their first IPL title, adding extra spice every time they meet. With both teams getting some of the best talent and spirits, their matches will no doubt be even closer in future seasons.
Final Thoughts
The Delhi Capitals Cricket vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Cricket timeline is a testament to the erratic esoteric nature of the IPL. From Delhi’s early dominance to RCB‘s strength throughout the middle rounds, to Delhi re-emerging as a contender, this rivalry has encapsulated everything we love as cricket fans – rivalry, redemption, drama and elite competition.
This respective matchup will no doubt continue to be one of the most anticipated fixtures on the calendar going forward.
