Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) thrashed Delhi Capitals (DC) by nine wickets, securing a massive victory in their IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday (April 27).

After winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB pacers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed four and three wickets respectively, bundling out DC for a mere 75 in 16.4 overs.

In reply, the defending champions took only 6.3 overs to chase down the paltry target, with Devdutt Padikkal (34*) and Virat Kohli (23*) staying unbeaten.

After the dominating win, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar admitted that he was surprised by the pitch while also praising his bowlers, especially Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, for hitting the right areas and generating swing with the new ball.

“Absolutely, but I think even I am surprised the way wicket played and all credit goes to bowlers, the way they have bowled, especially in the powerplay, Hazlewood and Bhuvi. I think the way they have, you know, hit those areas and got that a bit of swing earlier, I think that was tremendous to see. I think the swing was normal and the good thing was we got the early wicket and that's why it kept us on the driving seat,” Patidar said at the post-match presentation.

Patidar revealed the team had thought of splitting the powerplay between their lead pacers if they got early wickets and also lauded Suyash Sharma's "stump-to-stump" bowling as the leg-spinner returned with figures of 1/7 in four overs.

“Temptation to finish Bhuvi and Hazlewood straight up?) No, no. I think I was... we have planned earlier that if we got early wickets then we'll go three-three overs of each. And let's see after how the wicket is behaving and the way afterwards the Suyash and Sheppy bowled I think the areas. And Suyash also bowled, I think he got a lot of spin, I would say, but I think the way he bowled stump to stump, I think that was really good to see,” he added.

This was RCB’s their sixth win in eight matches this season. They are currently holding second spot in the team standings, with 12 points.

Patidar emphasized maintaining routines and taking the tournament one game at a time to sustain momentum, highlighting that different players are consistently stepping up for the team.

He stressed that a strong bowling unit is essential for winning championships in T20 cricket, especially on flat surfaces.

“It's very important to follow your routines because you know it's still a long way to go, but I think we are just taking one game at a time. And the positive is, as I mentioned last game also, that different players coming up and doing it for the team, I think that's a good sign for us. (two world-class bowlers at the top) Of course, I think if you are playing T20 cricket on the flat surface, so I think if you have, you should have a good bowling unit. That's why, because only bowler can make you win the championship,” Patidar concluded.