Why is RCB Playing against CSK Only Once in IPL 2026?

The reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will take on Chennai Super Kings on April 5 in the 11th match of the Indian Premier League 2026. This game will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. This is one of the most anticipated contests of the season since two of the best teams in IPL will clash against each other. The RCB vs CSK H2H rivalry is led by the 5-time champions Chennai Super Kings with a scoreline of 21-13.

Every year, both teams used to play each other twice in the league stage, with one match at each team’s home ground. However, this season they will face off only once, leaving fans disappointed, though there is a deeper reason behind the revised schedule.

Why One RCB vs CSK Match in IPL 2026?

Ever since the number of teams increased from eight to ten, the tournament has been divided into two groups each season. In this edition, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings are placed in the same group, and as per the rules, teams in the same group face each other only once, while they play twice against teams from the opposite group. This is why these two sides will meet only once in this IPL season.

So far, the defending champions have played only one match in IPL 2026, while Chennai Super Kings have played two. The Men in Yellow have missed the presence of MS Dhoni, who has been ruled out for two weeks. Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, they have struggled to secure wins, a trend that has continued since 2024. Last season, CSK finished at the bottom of the table, and it seems they might face a similar outcome this year. Meanwhile, RCB appear to have a strong and well-balanced squad, which is a very positive sign for them.

What Happened Last Time RCB Met CSK Met in IPL?

For the first time in 19 years, the richest team in IPL, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, defeated Chennai Super Kings twice in the IPL 2025. It turned out to be a tough campaign for CSK, as they struggled to find form throughout the tournament.

In the first meeting, RCB secured a dominant 50-run victory. The second match was much closer, with CSK putting up a strong fight, but RCB still edged them out by just two runs. It will be interesting to see how CSK approach this season, especially after a shaky start with two losses.