Introduction: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
There are rivalries that define an era — India vs Pakistan in international cricket, Messi vs Ronaldo in football… and then, in the IPL universe, there’s Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
You can almost feel the buzz when these two teams face off. The energy in the stands, the chants echoing through the night, the unpredictable chaos — it’s like a storm that refuses to calm down.
As someone who’s watched the IPL religiously (yes, even those tense super overs that left me breathless), this rivalry has always felt special. DC and RCB may not have the trophy cabinet of giants, but boy, they’ve given us drama, emotion, and unforgettable cricket.
Let’s walk down memory lane — year by year — and relive how this rivalry has evolved, how heroes have emerged, and how heartbreaks have turned into hope.
Table of Contents
DC vs RCB — The Timeline of Fire and Grit (2008–2025)
| Year | Venue | Winner | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Bengaluru | Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) | A young Delhi stunned RCB early on. It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement that said, “We’re not here to watch. We’re here to play.” |
| 2009 | Centurion (SA) | Delhi Daredevils | AB de Villiers scored a jaw-dropping 105*… against RCB. Who knew he’d soon switch sides and become their most loved player? |
| 2010 | Delhi | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Kallis batted like a rock, calm in the chaos. RCB showed they could win even on Delhi’s turf. |
| 2011 | Bengaluru | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | A young Kohli — eyes blazing, heart pounding — led RCB to a commanding win. You could sense greatness brewing. |
| 2012 | Delhi | Delhi Daredevils | Sehwag unleashed fury, his bat painting fireworks across Kotla’s night sky. Classic Sehwag — see ball, hit ball. |
| 2013 | Bengaluru | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Chris Gayle happened. No, seriously. 100+ meters sixes, dancing in the rain of boundaries. Delhi never stood a chance. |
| 2014 | Sharjah | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | IPL’s UAE leg brought nostalgia — Yuvraj Singh’s elegant shots reminded us why form is temporary, but class is forever. |
| 2015 | Delhi | Match Abandoned | Rain had its own plans. The fans waited, cheered, and went home with wet jerseys but full hearts. |
| 2016 | Bengaluru | Delhi Daredevils | Quinton de Kock’s century was a masterclass. Young, fearless, and unstoppable — the kind of knock that makes you whisper, “This kid’s special.” |
| 2017 | Delhi | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | RCB defended a small total with grit. Kohli’s captaincy fire burned bright that night. |
| 2018 | Delhi | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Kohli and ABD, the Batman and Superman of IPL, stitched together a partnership for the ages. Delhi bowlers could only applaud. |
| 2019 | Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals | The new-look Delhi side was confident, almost rebellious. Rabada’s raw pace ripped through RCB’s top order. |
| 2020 | Dubai | Delhi Capitals | The pandemic couldn’t stop DC’s resurgence. Stoinis and Axar were the heroes of a clinical performance. |
| 2021 | Ahmedabad | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | AB de Villiers, yet again, played magician — pulling a win from the jaws of defeat. You could almost see Pant smiling in disbelief. |
| 2022 | Mumbai | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Dinesh Karthik reminded everyone that age is just a number, finishing the chase in vintage DK fashion. |
| 2023 | Delhi | Delhi Capitals | Philip Salt’s fearless innings lifted Delhi spirits high; a home victory that felt like redemption. |
| 2024 | Bengaluru | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Faf and Kohli lit up the Chinnaswamy — the kind of night that made even neutrals cheer. |
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | Both sides are reloaded and ready. Pant’s comeback vs Kohli’s consistency — the perfect storm is brewing. |
Rivalry That Feels Personal
When Delhi and Bengaluru face off, it’s not just about two teams — it’s about two mindsets.
RCB represents passion — raw, loud, and unapologetic. Delhi, on the other hand, symbolizes resilience — a team that’s fallen, rebuilt, and risen again, brick by brick.
Every match between them feels like a movie. There’s the thrill of a heist, the heartbreak of a missed catch, the joy of a perfect yorker. And if you’ve ever sat through one of their close encounters, you’ll know the feeling — your heart thumping faster than the match clock, your palms sweating as the crowd chants, “RCB! DC!”
Little Nuggets of Nostalgia
- AB de Villiers has scored over 500 runs against Delhi — and every one of them felt like a dagger through DC fans’ hearts.
- Kohli’s 122 in 2016*? That was against Delhi too. The man was unstoppable that season.
- DC’s home ground, Kotla, has seen some of the most unpredictable results — one day dominance, next day despair.
- Both RCB and DC, despite their star power, have been chasing that first IPL trophy. That common heartbreak has weirdly made this rivalry even more emotional.
Head-to-Head Record (2008–2024)
| Category | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 30+ | 30+ |
| Wins | 18 | 12 |
| Highest Total | 215/1 (2016) | 196/4 (2019) |
| Lowest Total | 95 (2010) | 87 (2013) |
| Win % | ~60% | ~40% |
Looking Ahead to IPL 2025
Both teams are entering the new season with fire in their bellies.
Delhi’s comeback story is tied to Rishabh Pant — the man who embodies courage. His return alone could be the emotional boost DC needs. RCB, meanwhile, continues to ride on Kohli’s unshakable energy and Faf’s calm leadership.
You can almost imagine the scene already — the lights, the crowd, the commentators screaming, “Kohli vs Pant!”
Who wins? Nobody knows. But one thing’s for sure: it’ll be a spectacle worth every second.
Final Thoughts
If cricket were poetry, the Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru rivalry would be that fiery verse that keeps replaying in your head.
It’s not about who’s better — it’s about how much they want it. Both sides play with heart, with hope, and with the kind of hunger that reminds you why you fell in love with the game in the first place.
And whether you’re shouting “Ee Sala Cup Namde!” or cheering “Yeh Hai Nayi Dilli!”, remember — when DC meets RCB, it’s not just cricket. It’s emotion, adrenaline, and nostalgia rolled into one unforgettable night.