When we mention the Indian Premier League (IPL), we have some rivalries that always get the fans excited. One of those is between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Both franchises have a massive fan following and have witnessed some literally edge-of-the-seat matches over the years.
This timeline covers their journey right from the first season in 2008 up to the recent clashes. You’ll see how the rivalry has grown, the big players who made a difference, and the unforgettable matches that cricket lovers still talk about.
Early Encounters: 2008 – 2015
IPL 2008
The first encounter between DC and RCB occurred in Delhi in the 17th match of the year. Gautam Gambhir, top order batsman of Delhi, scored 86. Glenn McGrath with the ball caused the destruction by taking 4 wickets and RCB led by Rahul Dravid lost by 10 runs.
They played again later in the same season. RCB scored 154, with Shreevats Goswami making 52nd. However, Delhi captain Virender Sehwag led by example and scored 47 runs, and DC won by 5 wickets.
IPL 2009
This season was hosted in South Africa. Delhi again demonstrated their class in the 14th match at Gqeberha, IPL, Apr 26 2009. Tillakaratne Dilshan made 67 not out, and they chased 150 comfortably to win by 6 wickets.
But the tables were turned in Game 52. Delhi batted first and scored just 134. RCB chased it down easily with 7 wickets to spare. That victory was special—it proved that RCB was capable of competing with DC’s firepower.
IPL 2010
The season began with a match in Bengaluru. Delhi, thanks to Kedar Jadhav’s unbeaten half-century, big-scored and defeated RCB by 17 runs.
It was Paul Collingwood’s unbeaten 75 which assisted DC in winning once more at Delhi, this time by 37 runs.
IPL 2011
Both the teams confronted each other only once this year. In Delhi, Virat Kohli contributed an innings of 56 off 38 balls as RCB emerged victorious by 3 wickets.
IPL 2012
The battle was really on this season. In the first encounter, RCB scored 157 with AB de Villiers making 64*. Delhi were struggling and finished on 137, securing a 20-run victory for RCB.
In the second match, RCB took the field first and accumulated 215 runs. The highlight was an amazing 204-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. Delhi fought bravely and scored 194, but RCB won by 21 runs.
IPL 2013
The 21st match also resulted in a tie, and the match went into a super over. RCB scored 15, while Delhi only managed to score 11. Virat Kohli nearly scored a century (99) later in the season as RCB defeated Delhi by 4 runs.
IPL 2014
In Sharjah, RCB chased 145 with Kohli (49*) and Yuvraj Singh (52*) leading the team. In Bengaluru later in the year, Yuvraj Singh starred once again with 68*, as RCB scored 186. Delhi was dismissed for 170, and RCB won by 16 runs.
IPL 2015
This season saw one of RCB’s most dominant wins. They bowled out Delhi for just 95 and chased it down without losing a wicket, thanks to Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli’s 99-run stand. Their second game was washed out due to rain.
Intense Years: 2016 – 2020
IPL 2016
In the first meeting, RCB scored 191 with Kohli’s 79. But Quinton de Kock’s brilliant 108 led DC to a stunning 7-wicket win.
In their second match, Kohli made 54* and RCB won easily by 6 wickets.
IPL 2017
Kedar Jadhav’s 69 drove RCB to an inning and 15-run win in Bengaluru. Subsequently in Delhi, RCB won by 10 runs as Kohli (58) and Chris Gayle (48) assisted in scoring 161. DC was dismissed for 151.
IPL 2018
Two cracking matches this season. In the first, DC totaled 174 with Rishabh Pant scoring 85. But AB de Villiers robbed the show with an incredible 90*, leading RCB to chase it down.
In the second match, Pant (61) and Shreyas Iyer assisted DC in totalling 181. But again AB de Villiers (72*) and Kohli (70) chased it successfully.
IPL 2019
This year, DC controlled both matches. In the first match, they took Shreyas Iyer to a chase of 152 when RCB was bowled out on 149. In the second, DC batted to 187 and limited RCB to 171 and thus won by 16 runs.
IPL 2020
Delhi dominated this year too. They made 196 in the first match and RCB got bowled out for 137, winning by 59 runs. In the second, Ajinkya Rahane (60) and Shikhar Dhawan (54) assisted DC to chase down 154 easily.
Modern Rivalry: 2021 – 2025
IPL 2021
One of the closest matches ever. In Ahmedabad, RCB posted 170, with AB de Villiers scoring 75*. DC came close, but Rishabh Pant’s last-ball effort fell short, and RCB won by just 1 run.
Later in the season, Glenn Maxwell and KS Bharat helped RCB chase down Delhi’s target and win by 7 wickets.
IPL 2022
Dinesh Karthik hit a match-winning 66 as RCB compiled 189. Delhi, after David Warner’s 66, could only muster 173, thus handing RCB a 16-run victory.
IPL 2023
RCB batted first in the opening match and accumulated 174 with Kohli (50) at the helm. They bowled Delhi out for 151 to emerge victorious by 23 runs.
In the return match, Phil Salt hammered 87 for Delhi as they chased 187 with ease.
IPL 2024
This time, Delhi was outsmarted by RCB once more. Batting first, they put up 187 and bowled out DC for 140, winning by 47 runs.
IPL 2025
KL Rahul’s dazzling 93 took Delhi to a 6-wicket victory in the 24th match of the season. But in the 46th match, RCB came back. Krunal Pandya’s unbeaten 73 took them to victory, tying the head-to-head that season.
Conclusion
The RCB vs DC rivalry is one of the most exciting in IPL history. From Gautam Gambhir’s classy knocks to AB de Villiers’ magical innings, from Kohli’s captaincy brilliance to young stars like Rishabh Pant and Phil Salt making their mark—the battles have given fans countless memories.
Though RCB has dominated in the past, DC’s recent resurgence has leveled the rivalry. Each time they face each other, there is an anticipation of fireworks, and quite often, they deliver just that.
One thing is certain: be it Bengaluru or Delhi, this encounter always provides drama, entertainment, and high-voltage cricket.
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