Mukesh Kumar RULED OUT? DC pacer sustains injury vs RCB in IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar was taken off the field by the physio after a missed fielding effort led him to a nasty blow on his nasal lining. The status of his freak injury might be updated by the end of the match, as it doesn't seem like one that could trouble the DC seamer a lot.

The Delhi Capitals have controlled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one of the most fierce batting units in this edition of the IPL. The defending champions have been one of the highest-scoring teams in this edition of the tournament.

However, Delhi Capitals bowlers run a rampage at RCB's home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, also known as one of the highest-scoring venues in the nation. Mukesh Kumar, the injured pacer, had a massive role to play.

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Mukesh Kumar ruled out with a freak injury: Is danger looming over the DC seamer?

During the 18th over of the game between the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the DC seamer Mukesh Kumar suffered a freak injury. The bowler, till now, has played an essential role with the ball for the Capitals.

Mukesh Kumar was fielding at short third man, and a catch was looped towards the region as Jitesh Sharma tried to slash at one of the wide, slower balls from Lungi Ngidi. He tried to dive and grab the ball, but ended up injuring his nasal ridge.

The physios immediately rushed in, and the pacer who had completed his quota of four overs left the field and might be seen being taken away and replaced by an impact player. An update on his injury status is awaited from the DC unit.

Oops, that's hurt Mukesh Kumar pic.twitter.com/tUKaC1FqX5

— Nickk Knight (@KnightNick34590) April 18, 2026

Mukesh Kumar's brilliant bowling effort continued against RCB

The Bengal pacer played a massive role for the Delhi Capitals, especially with the new ball, where they needed him to perform better, as Mitchell Starc, one of their prime new ball bowlers, is yet to join the franchise, following an injury.

Kumar has taken the new ball and has bowled it to effortless perfection. He has swung the ball to both ends, while also using the slower deliveries, the cutters and the bouncer to the best of his ability, alongside his precision to bowl yorkers.

Kumar has picked 5 wickets in 5 matches for the Capitals; however, his economy has been excellent, despite having bowled in the powerplay and in the death. He finished his four overs, giving away 32 runs and a wicket of skipper Rajat Patidar, in his final over.

DC bowlers' spectacular death bowling restricts RCB to 175

Delhi Capitals have been praised widely for their stunning bowling attack. Though they have lacked Mitchell Starc in the season, South Africa's World Cup hero Lungi Ngidi has emerged as their highest wicket-taker with 7 wickets across 5 outings.

In this match against the most dangerous team in the death overs, Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan bowled some stunning spells, delivering Yorkers with utter perfection. On the other hand, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, the two spinners, have bowled deep into the innings and also picked a wicket each.

The DC bowlers managed to restrict them to a score of 175, after giving away just two boundaries in the last 4 overs in the death.

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