The biggest and most awaited battle of the Indian Premier League 2026 season is all set to take place on April 5, Sunday, as the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This will be their 36th meeting in IPL history. And while the numbers still lean towards the army of MS Dhoni, the recent script tells a very different story, one where RCB, powered by Virat Kohli, are no longer just participants, they are the giant killers. Ahead of Match 11 of IPL 2026, let's rewind the rivalry of RCB and CSK, arguably the biggest and most emotionally charged clash in the Indian T20 league.
After finally lifting their maiden title in 2025, RCB began their title defense crushing Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets in the season opener on March 28 at home. Chasing a daunting 202, the Rajat Patidar-led side won the match in just 15.4 overs, making it the fastest 200+ chase in IPL history.
Kohli, returning to T20 action after a long gap, looked like he never left, smashing an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls. And just when that wasn't enough, Devdutt Padikkal went berserk with a 26-ball 61.
Meanwhile, things haven't been as rosy for CSK. After finishing at the bottom of the IPL 2025 standings, their struggles have continued into this season. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side lost their campaign opener against Rajasthan Royals by 8 wickets, getting bundled out for a disappointing 127 in 19.4 overs.
In the second match against Punjab Kings, despite posting a strong 209/5 against Punjab Kings, CSK fell short again, losing by 5 wickets. The yellow army is searching not just for wins, but for rhythm, confidence, and maybe a bit of their old magic.
Last Time When Royal Challengers Bengaluru Met Chennai Super Kings in IPL
Before today's IPL match, the last meeting between RCB and CSK came on May 3, 2025 which was a last-ball thriller for the ages. At the same venue where they meet again in tonight, the champions held their nerve to win by just 2 runs in a high-scoring spectacle.
RCB posted 213/5, powered by a brilliant 121-run partnership between Kohli and Jacob Bethell, followed by absolute carnage from Romario Shepherd, a 14-ball 53 that included 33 runs in a single over off Noor Ahmad. CSK's chase was dramatic as well. Ayush Mhatre dazzled with a stunning 94, while Ravindra Jadeja fought till the end with an unbeaten 77. But RCB pulled off the stunning victory in the final over.
RCB vs CSK Head-To-Head Record
Both the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings have met each other 35 times before with CSK leading the head-to-head record with 21 wins against RCB's 13. One match ended in no result. However, heading into the upcoming match, RCB have won their last three matches against CSK.
RCB vs CSK Past Matches - All Results:
| Date | Winner | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03-May-25 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2 runs | Bengaluru |
| 28-Mar-25 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 50 runs | Chennai |
| 18-May-24 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 27 runs | Bengaluru |
| 22-Mar-24 | Chennai Super Kings | 6 wickets | Chennai |
| 17-Apr-23 | Chennai Super Kings | 8 runs | Bangalore |
| 12-Apr-22 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 23 runs | Navi Mumbai |
| 04-May-22 | Chennai Super Kings | 13 runs | Pune |
| 25-Apr-21 | Chennai Super Kings | 69 runs | Mumbai |
| 24-Sep-21 | Chennai Super Kings | 6 wickets | Sharjah |
| 10-Oct-20 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 37 runs | Dubai (DSC) |
| 25-Oct-20 | Chennai Super Kings | 8 wickets | Dubai (DSC) |
| 23-Mar-19 | Chennai Super Kings | 7 wickets | Chennai |
| 21-Apr-19 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 1 run | Bangalore |
| 25-Apr-18 | Chennai Super Kings | 5 wickets | Bangalore |
| 05-May-18 | Chennai Super Kings | 6 wickets | Pune |
| 21-Apr-15 | Chennai Super Kings | 27 runs | Bangalore |
| 03-May-15 | Chennai Super Kings | 24 runs | Chennai |
| 21-May-15 | Chennai Super Kings | 3 wickets | Ranchi |
| 18-May-14 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8 wickets | Ranchi |
| 24-May-14 | Chennai Super Kings | 5 wickets | Bangalore |
| 13-Apr-13 | Chennai Super Kings | 4 wickets | Chennai |
| 18-May-13 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 24 runs | Bangalore |
| 12-Apr-12 | Chennai Super Kings | 5 wickets | Chennai |
| 25-Apr-12 | No Result | - | Bangalore |
| 16-Apr-11 | Chennai Super Kings | 21 runs | Chennai |
| 22-May-11 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8 wickets | Bangalore |
| 24-May-11 | Chennai Super Kings | 6 wickets | Mumbai |
| 28-May-11 | Chennai Super Kings | 58 runs | Chennai |
| 23-Mar-10 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 36 runs | Bangalore |
| 31-Mar-10 | Chennai Super Kings | 5 wickets | Chennai |
| 20-Apr-09 | Chennai Super Kings | 92 runs | Port Elizabeth |
| 14-May-09 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2 wickets | Durban |
| 20-Apr-09 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 6 wickets | Johannesburg |
| 28-Apr-08 | Chennai Super Kings | 13 runs | Bangalore |
| 21-May-08 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 14 runs | Chennai |
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2026 Match 11 will start from 7:30 PM IST on Sunday, April 4, at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.