Kamal Ghorui
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will become the first IPL team to play 100 matches at their home ground when they face Delhi Capitals on Saturday. The match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will be an afternoon game on the day the tournament completes 19 years.RCB were part of the first IPL match on April 18, 2008, at the same venue against Kolkata Knight Riders. That game is remembered for Brendon McCullum’s 158 not out, which included 10 fours and 13 sixes and helped KKR post 222 for three. RCB were bowled out for 82 and lost by 140 runs.
In IPL 2026, RCB have started their title defence with four wins in five matches, including three at home. They had also won their last two home matches in the previous season. This run has added to the idea of the Chinnaswamy becoming a strong venue for them, although the team had earlier found it difficult to build consistency here, despite six-match winning streaks in 2011-12 and 2013.Conditions at the venue can change, and the afternoon start could have an impact. The pitch in the last match against Lucknow Super Giants was slower than earlier games, where four totals above 200 had been recorded. If similar conditions continue, Delhi’s spin options, including Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam, could play a key role.Delhi come into the match after two losses following two wins at the start of IPL 2026. The team still has players who can contribute, but needs to respond and adjust as the tournament progresses.
