Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar leaves the field after a painful injury while attempting a diving save against RCB at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Mukesh Kumar suffered an injury today, April 18, 2026, while attempting to stop a shot from Jitesh Sharma during the IPL 2026 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The incident occurred in the 18th over of the first innings. Sharma slashed a delivery from Lungi Ngidi toward the short third man region.Mukesh Kumar chased the ball and made a diving effort to prevent a boundary. Upon landing, he hit the ground hard, striking his face and right shoulder against the turf.

Kumar was seen holding his nose and appeared to be in significant pain.He was forced to leave the field immediately with the team physio for treatment. Karun Nair replaced him as a substitute fielder for the remainder of the innings. Prior to the injury, Mukesh Kumar had a productive outing, including the crucial wicket of RCB captain Rajat Patidar. He finished his bowling spell with figures of 1/32 in 4 overs. Jitesh was eventually dismissed for 14 off 20 balls, caught in the final over, by Lungi Ngidi.

The match is held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw Bengaluru set a target of 176 for Delhi Capitals.

RCB dismissed for low score by DC bowlers

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finished with 175/8, a total considered low for the batting-friendly M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite a blistering start from Phil Salt, the team suffered a significant second-half collapse due to disciplined bowling from the Delhi Capitals (DC) spinners. RCB was once cruising at 99/1 in the 10th over. However, Axar Patel (2/18) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/32) stifled the momentum, taking four wickets between them in the middle phase.Coming in at a crucial moment, Jitesh Sharma struggled for timing, scoring just 14 off 20 balls. His inability to accelerate, combined with a run-out of Krunal Pandya in the final over, severely limited the final total.

Lungi Ngidi conceded only 6 runs in the 20th over, dismissing Jitesh and forcing a run-out.