IPL 2026 Today's Match: RCB vs CSK playing 11, batters vs bowlers match-up

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to face Chennai Super Kings in Match 11 of IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium tonight, renewing one of the league’s most iconic rivalries. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has won the toss and decided to field first on the night.

 

RCB, the defending champions, come into the contest with strong momentum after a convincing six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match. In that game, debutant Jacob Duffy impressed with figures of 3/22, helping restrict SRH to 201/9. The Bengaluru side then chased down the target with ease, finishing the job with more than four overs remaining. They will now aim to build on that performance and continue their title defence in front of their home crowd. 

 

   

In contrast, Chennai Super Kings have had a difficult start to their campaign, losing both of their opening matches. They were outplayed by Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, where they were bowled out for just 127 and comfortably beaten. This was followed by another setback at home against Punjab Kings, where they failed to defend a competitive total of 210.

 

The rivalry between these two teams has always been intense and historic, producing memorable encounters over the years. With pride and momentum at stake, RCB will look to strengthen their position, while CSK will be desperate to register their first win of the season in challenging conditions.

 

Rajat Patidar’s captaincy record in IPL (RCB)

Matches: 17

Wins: 12

Losses: 5

N/R: 0

Win percentage: 70.59%

 

Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy record in IPL (CSK)

Matches: 21

Wins: 8

Losses: 13

N/R: 0

Win percentage: 38.10%

 

IPL 2026: RCB playing 11 vs CSK

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will open with Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, with Kohli known for dominating fast bowlers in Bengaluru. He scored 69 off 38 balls in the opener, including five fours and six sixes. The middle order includes Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, and Romario Shepherd. Padikkal, Patidar, Sharma, and David provide stability, Pandya can float if a collapse occurs, and Shepherd offers finishing power in the death overs. 

 

The bowling attack features Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Singh showed promise on debut, while Duffy and Bhuvneshwar spearhead the pace attack, with Duffy earning Player of the Match.

 

RCB playing 11: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy

 

Impact Player: Suyash Sharma

 

RCB squad for IPL 2026: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Jordan Cox, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Satwik Deswal, Suyash Sharma, Vicky Ostwal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Abhinandan Singh

 

IPL 2026: CSK playing 11 vs RCB

 

CSK are likely to field a balanced side against RCB in IPL 2026, blending experienced batters, all-rounders, and pacers. 

 

Brevis’ potential return is crucial after missing the first two matches due to a side strain, as his presence at No. 4 could stabilize the middle-order alongside Sarfaraz and Dube. The bowling unit remains CSK’s weak point, with Khaleel performing steadily but Kamboj, Noor, and Chahar proving expensive in early games.

 

CSK playing 11: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry

 

Impact Player: Rahul Chahar

 

CSK squad for IPL 2026: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan.

 

IPL 2026: RCB vs CSK key player battles 

RCB batters vs CSK bowlers player battle
Batter	Bowler	Matches/Inns	Runs	Outs	Strike Rate (SR)
Virat Kohli	Khaleel Ahmed	6	46	1	184
Virat Kohli	Noor Ahmad	4	63	2	143
Virat Kohli	Rahul Chahar	8	42	1	100
Philip Salt	Khaleel Ahmed	3	50	0	161
Philip Salt	Noor Ahmad	3	46	1	184
Philip Salt	Akeal Hosein	15	147	3	128
Devdutt Padikkal	Khaleel Ahmed	2	0	2	0
Devdutt Padikkal	Rahul Chahar	5	61	0	142
Tim David	Khaleel Ahmed	5	35	1	219
Tim David	Noor Ahmad	4	8	2	114
Tim David	Akeal Hosein	9	43	1	102
Tim David	Jamie Overton	6	54	0	180

  CSK batters vs RCB bowlers 

CSK batters vs RCB bowlers player battle
Batter	Bowler	Format	Innings	Runs	Outs	Strike Rate
Ruturaj Gaikwad	Josh Hazlewood	IPL	3	9	2	50
Ruturaj Gaikwad	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	IPL	6	69	0	144
Ruturaj Gaikwad	Krunal Pandya	T20s	4	45	0	173
Sanju Samson	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	IPL	19	120	4	126
Sanju Samson	Romario Shepherd	T20s	5	39	1	186
Sanju Samson	Krunal Pandya	IPL	10	95	1	136
Sarfaraz Khan	Krunal Pandya	T20s	5	16	0	80