Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals, IPL, 2026 May 1 Full score card

That's the game! DELHI CAPITALS WIN BY 7 WICKETS with 5 balls to spare. Brijesh Sharma bowls a very high full toss, on middle. Ashutosh Sharma swings at it, and the ball lobs up towards the leg side as the batters cross. It is also called a No Ball for the ball being over the waist of the batter. The Capitals finally snap their losing streak.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Short of a length and outside off, slower as well. Ashutosh Sharma waits for it and smashes it over extra cover for a boundary.

Brijesh Sharma to bowl the final over. Wicketless so far and gone for 30 runs in his 3 overs.

FOUR! That should be the game for DC! Jofra Archer serves this full, on middle and leg. Tristan Stubbs flicks it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Ravi Bishnoi initially runs forward but fails to judge the flight of the ball. He then moves to his right, but it is too late as the ball bounces to the fence for a boundary. Archer is not happy with that effort. Just 5 needed in the final over.

Hard length and on middle and leg, Ashutosh Sharma gets rushed and forces it down to long on for just one. He wants the second but is sent back.

Another fine yorker, on leg, Tristan Stubbs jams it out to long on for a run.

Jofra Archer delivers the perfect yorker, on middle, Tristan Stubbs gets his bat down in time and can only dig it down the pitch.

Fuller and on middle, Tristan Stubbs flicks it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 11 needed in 10 now!

A high full toss, angling into the leg side. Ashutosh Sharma looks to heave it away but miscues it high in the air. However, it lands well wide of deep square leg and the batters take a single.

Jofra Archer (3-0-37-1) to bowl the penultimate over with DC needing 14 runs off 12 balls. Can Archer take the game to the final over?

Low full toss, angling into the pads, Ashutosh Sharma clips it to deep mid-wicket for one more. 16 runs off the over!

Nails the yorker now, on middle, Tristan Stubbs digs it out to the left of mid on for one.

WIDE! And again! Spills this full and way outside off, Tristan Stubbs happily leaves it alone. 16 needed in 14 now.

WIDE! Hard length but outside off, over the tramline, Tristan Stubbs lets it go.

SIX! That brings down the equation much in favour of DC now! Tushar Deshpande misses his yorker but Tristan Stubbs does not miss out. A full toss, on off. Stubbs with an excellent follow-through smokes it over the long on fence for a biggie.

In the blockhole, outside off, Ashutosh Sharma squeezes it out to deep point for a single.

Halt! The physio comes out for the concussion check. Ashutosh Sharma looks unflustered. Even before the check is complete, he has put the helmet back on. Sharma is ready to continue.

Ouch! A low full toss, around off, Ashutosh Sharma gets down across for the scoop, but the ball goes off the face of the bat straight into the grill of the helmet.

FOUR! 200 UP FOR DC! Tushar Deshpande tries the wide yorker but just misses it, outside off. Ashutosh Sharma lets the ball come to him, opens the face of the bat and using the pace, he glides it past short third for a boundary.

WIDE! Fuller but way outside off, Ashutosh Sharma backs away a bit and leaves it alone. Wided.

Danny Morrison informs on air that Ravindra Jadeja is off the park due to an ankle issue. Tushar Deshpande (3-0-22-1) has been brought back. Can he conjure something special in his final over?

Back of a length and outside off, slower as well, Ashutosh Sharma stabs it out through extra covers for one. 30 needed in the last three overs!

Oh, no! One of the floodlight towers has gone off. Yashasvi Jaiswal takes the break in play as an opportunity to have a chat with the bowler. The light tower is back up and running. We are all good to resume.

FOUR! Gets it away! Brijesh Sharma attempts the yorker again, but bowls a low full toss, on middle, tailing in. Ashutosh Sharma gets down and across to get inside the line of it to paddle it past short fine for a boundary.

Hard length and on off, Ashutosh Sharma opens the face of his bat and guides it through point for a brace.

WIDE! Again bowls this full but down the leg, Ashutosh Sharma lets it go. Called a wide again.

Slower again, full and on middle, Tristan Stubbs works it towards long on for another run.

WIDE! Brijesh Sharma tries the yorker but spills it down the leg side, Tristan Stubbs fails to get any bat on it. If he had, it could have been a boundary.

Pace off, short of a length and outside off, Ashutosh Sharma waits for it and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Low full toss, on leg, Tristan Stubbs drills it down to long on for a single.

Brijesh Sharma is back. 2-0-18-0 so far for Brijesh.

FOUR! Much-needed for DC! Archer just errs in line and serves this full, drifting into the pads. Ashutosh Sharma picks it up and whips it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 44 needed off 24.

Full again and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma drills it to the left of the bowler, where Jofra Archer stops it well on the follow-through.

Full and wide on off, Stubbs extends his hands and eases the drive towards extra cover. It is cut off with a slide. Just a single.

Nearly sneaked through! A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a length, on off and middle. Sharma pushes out in front with a straight bat. Ekes out an inside edge through mid-wicket for one.

Wide! Banged in short, over middle. Ashutosh Sharma ducks under it. Too high for the umpire's liking.

KL Rahul admonishes himself as he trudges off. Two new batters at the crease and RR have an opening. Ashutosh Sharma comes out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Jofra Archer strikes gold on his return, and once again, we see a wicket fall right after the break. Pitched up and on middle, there to be hit. KL Rahul clears his front leg to hit it over long on but his bat twists in his hands. He miscues the shot towards long on, where Donovan Ferreira settles under it and takes a fine catch. A superb knock from Rahul, but he will be kicking himself for getting out at the wrong time. 49 needed off 28 balls.

FOUR! Great effort in the deep but it goes in vain! Fuller delivery, on off, KL Rahul looks to loft it away but his bottom hand comes off the bat. It flies wide of deep extra cover, where Ravi Bishnoi covers a long way to his right and dives to push the ball back inside. However, the spin on the ball takes it towards the rope, and Dasun Shanaka, who runs from long off to help, grabs it, but not before the ball touches the ropes.

Strategic Break! Delhi Capitals will feel like they are ahead in the chase, and as long as KL Rahul is out there, they will be confident of getting the remaining runs. It has been a nicely calculated chase from DC so far, but they have to get over the line, which has been the hardest part for them this season. Rajasthan Royals will be looking to get rid of Rahul and put pressure on the middle order, and with Miller not playing, they can make a game out of this one, but they have to pick up wickets. Jofra Archer to bowl after the break. Dasun Shanaka has come as a substitute.

Excellent execution. Gets the yorker in, on middle. KL digs it out to wide long on and picks up a single. A wicket and 7 runs off the over.

Low full toss, on the pads. Stubbs flicks it through square leg and crosses over.

Full and on off, that is driven straight back but it is stopped by Tushar Deshpande.

A fantastic review from RR, and they break the threatening partnership. Tristan Stubbs comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Rajasthan Royals get the review right. Wide yorker, flirting with the tramline. Rana drops his bat down on the ball but is beaten on the outside edge. Dhruv Jurel gathers it and goes up in an appeal, as does the bowler. Turned down by the umpire. There was a noise, but it seemed to be of the bat hitting the turf. Yashasvi Jaiswal is acting as the stand-in skipper in the absence of Riyan Parag. He has a word with the keeper and takes the review. There is a spike when the ball is next to the bat on the UltraEdge. It is only after the ball went past the blade that the bat made contact with the ground. The on-field decision is overturned, much to the delight of the RR camp. DC are 171/2, needing 55 runs in 33 balls.

Fuller and on middle, Rahul hits it down to long off for a single.

FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone! Deshpande tries to follow KL as he backs away. This is a length ball, outside the leg stump. Rahul looks to go up and over cover but is beaten on the outside edge. The ball sneaks past the leg pole and Dhruv Jurel is beaten to his left despite the dive.

Tight single! Low full toss, outside off, Rahul reaches out and knocks it in front of mid off before hustling to the other end. 18 runs off the over. 60 runs needed from 36 balls.

Full and outside off, KL cracks the drive but can't get it past extra cover.

SIX! Beautifully picked up! Burger switches to around the wicket and tries to cramp KL for room. Nandre ends up being too straight and dishes it out full in length. Rahul gets the front leg out of the way and whips it over square leg for a six. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

Full and at the sticks at 142.1 kph, Nitish backs away, exposing all three stumps to drill it away on the off side. Mishits it off the inner half to long on for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Tighter line, on the off stump, on a good length. Rana anticipates the line and shuffles inside the line. He shovels it to the right of short fine leg and picks up a boundary.

SIX! That is a lovely shot. Burger dishes it out on a length, on off. Rana is allowed to free his arms and with a clean swing of the arms, he goes inside out over extra cover for a biggie.

Rana was gone had the throw hit. Full and on middle, this is firmly driven to mid off. Nitish sets off immediately after playing the shot. A clean pick-up by Yashasvi Jaiswal before firing a throw at the bowling end. He misses and Rana gets away with it. Tushar Deshpande should have gotten up to the stumps quickly there but was not alert to the situation.

Tushar keeps it nice and full, not allowing Rahul to get under the ball. KL swings hard to force it away on the off side. Miscues it off the inner half to wide mid on for a run.

Direct hit! Nails the yorker, does Deshpande, on the off pole. KL jams it out in front of mid off and scampers across for a quick single. There is a direct hit at the bowling end but Rahul is home. The ball deflects off the stumps towards wide mid on, allowing the batters to run one more.

Fuller delivery on the leg stump line, Nitish Rana steps across to flick but misses, as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken. Deshpande appeals for the LBW and looks very interested but it is turned down.

FOUR! Cleverly done! Tushar Deshpande bangs this into the pitch, slower as well, around off. Nitish Rana lets the ball go behind him, before upper-cutting it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, angling in, KL Rahul tucks it away through square leg for a single.

Tushar Deshpande is back on.

FOUR! A productive over for DC. 18 runs off it. Jadeja tries to push it across the left-hander. Keeps it around the tramline and the length is full. Rana walks across the stumps and extends his hands to smack it wide of deep extra cover for a boundary.

Across off, on a length, Rana reaches out in front for the sweep but fails to roll his wrists over the ball and misses to get rapped on the front pad.

Full and on off, Rahul pushes it wide of cover for a single.

SIX! All the way! This is dropped short by Jadeja, outside off, Rahul walks across a bit and spanks it with a horizontal bat towards long on. Jofra Archer is a few metres in off the ropes and just watches the ball sail over his head without making an attempt.

Full and around leg, Nitish clips it in front of deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

SIX! Have some of that, says Nitish. Fired in, full and on middle. Rana sinks to a knee and nails the slog sweep way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Riyan Parag is off the field at the moment. He is receiving some treatment from the physio for cramps.

FIFTY FOR RAHUL! His 3rd half century of the season to go with an unbeaten 152. Full and attacking the sticks, KL swings a bit too hard and loses his shape in the process. Gets it off the inner half of the bat to the left of long on for a brace. After playing the second fiddle to Pathum Nissanka in the Powerplay, he has picked up pace in the middle phase, and DC need him to keep going.

Very full, in line with the off pole. Nitish digs it out to the left of backward point and crosses over.

At pace, full and straight, this is drilled to long on for a single.

Pace off and into the surface, angled in at the leg stump. This does not rise much and Rana smears it through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and outside off, Rana gets his hands through and cracks the drive through covers. Yashasvi Jaiswal at deep point moves to his left and dives to cut it off. Two runs taken.

Missed out! From around the wicket, short and wide on off. Rana reaches out and flashes at it but fails to connect.

Halfway through the chase. DC have knocked off half the target and need another 113 runs. Brijesh Sharma has been brought back.

Another short delivery, on middle and leg, Nitish Rana tucks it through mid-wicket for one more. A wicket and just 5 runs off the over!

Shorter once more, outside off, KL Rahul cuts it through cover-point for one.

Slows it up, shortish and on middle, Nitish Rana nudges it towards mid-wicket for another run.

A much-needed breakthrough for the home side. Nitish Rana comes out to the middle.

OUT! LBW! Ravindra Jadeja breaks the massive opening stand. He fires this one full and straight, attacking the stumps. Pathum Nissanka gets down on one knee, attempting the reverse sweep, but this is too full for that shot and the ball goes under the bat to hit the pad. There is a big shout for LBW, and the finger goes up. However, Nissanka takes the review after a chat with his partner, as Rahul thinks the impact may have been outside off. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the off stump. End of a fine knock from the Lankan, and DC are 110/1, chasing 226 runs.

Short again and outside off, KL Rahul punches it towards extra cover. Riyan Parag dives to his left but fails to stop it cleanly. They cross.

Floated, short and around off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to long off for a single.

SIX! A majestic hit! Ravi Bishnoi serves this much quicker, full and on middle. KL Rahul moves a bit to the leg side to free his arms. He hits it straight as an arrow, dispatching it over the bowler's head for half a dozen more. 20 runs off the over.

Shorter in length and outside off, KL Rahul reaches out and slaps it away wide of sweeper cover, where Tushar Deshpande dives to his left to save a couple of runs for his side.

SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. KL Rahul backs away a bit, bends his back knee and launches it high and handsomely over the long on fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR DC.

A googly, full and turning into leg, KL Rahul tucks it with soft hands through square leg and calls for the second. Pathum Nissanka responds, and the throw is at his end, but he puts in a good dive to make his ground.

Flatter, short and on off, KL Rahul tries to hit it too hard and stabs it to extra cover.

FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up, full and around off, KL Rahul extends his arms to reach out for it, hits through the line and lifts it wide of long off for a boundary.

FOUR! There's that boundary! Ravindra Jadeja goes shorter and just outside off. Pathum Nissanka fetches it out from there and swats it between deep mid-wicket and long on for four runs. 138 runs needed from 72 balls.

Slows it up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it away to extra cover.

Short again and on middle, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal moves quickly to his left and bends low to cut it off. Two more taken.

Dragged back and outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace.

Flatter, full and around off, KL Rahul drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Short and wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka stabs it out through extra covers for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A solid response so far in the chase from the Delhi Capitals, with Pathum Nissanka leading the charge. They have so far kept up with the required run rate, but can they sustain this through the middle phase of the innings against RR's spin attack? Riyan Parag had expected the pitch to slow down, but there are no real signs of that just yet. Pace on has been easier to hit through the line, and the discussion in the RR camp during this break will likely revolve around mixing up their variations and taking the pace off the ball. Karun Nair is padded up and has the helmet on. We could see him come as DC's Impact Sub. Ravindra Jadeja to bowl after the break.

FOUR! That spoils the over a bit! Ravi Bishnoi drops it short and around middle. KL Rahul picks up the length early, transfers his weight on the back foot and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Another short delivery, on leg, Pathum Nissanka nudges it through mid-wicket for just one as Ravindra Jadeja is quick to run forward from the deep.

Dragged back, on middle, skids through, Pathum Nissanka moves back to pull but gets a bottom edge onto the pitch.

Goes short and on the pads, KL Rahul flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for another run.

Quicker, full and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it to backward square leg for a run.

Flatter and shorter, on middle, KL Rahul punches it to long on for a single.

Spin straight away after the Powerplay. Ravi Bishnoi to roll his arm over.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! A fantastic knock to bring up his first half-century of the season on his return to the side. He gets there in just 23 balls, but knows the job is not done here. Brijesh Sharma bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Pathum Nissanka is untroubled as he swivels and heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. DC are 70/0 after 6 overs.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka stays back and pulls it away wide of deep square leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal runs to his left and dives to make a good stop, keeping it down to two runs.

Short of a length and on middke, KL Rahul backs away a bit and stabs it towards mid off for a quick single.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Brijesh Sharma bowls a half-volley, pace on and on off. KL Rahul gets his hands through the drive and creams it between extra cover and mid off for a boundary.

Four dots in a row now for DC! Takes pace off, good length and on off, KL Rahul pushes it back to the bowler.

Fuller delivery, around off, KL Rahul drives it well but straight towards mid off.

Deshpande takes pace off, on a short of a length, on off. Pathum goes hard on the pull but scuffs his shot to mid-wicket.

Full and attacking the sticks, this is turned to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Deshpande errs in both line and length. Low full toss, on the pads. Nissanka just swings it away past short fine leg to pick up a boundary.

Another couple! Pace off and at the pads again, Nissanka clips this length ball through square leg and comes back for the second before the deep fielder can get to the ball.

Full and straying on the pads. Nissanka brings his wrists into play and flicks it to the left of deep square leg for a brace.

The 50 is up for Delhi. Low full toss, on leg. Nissanka shovels it off the pads behind square leg. A slight fumble in the deep by Ravi Bishnoi allows the batters to sneak in the second run.

Change? Yes, the Impact Sub, Tushar Deshpande comes into the attack now.

Hits the deck hard, on top of off. Nissanka chops it down in front of point and keeps the strike with a single.

SIX! Dispatched with disdain! Burger bashes the surface but this sits up to be hit, over off. This is below the waist and Nissanka climbs all over it. Pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for six more.

Just outside the off stump, on a good length, Pathum firms the drive but can't beat cover-point.

Fuller and on off, Nissanka knocks it to mid off.

On a back of a length, outside off, Nissanka gets on top of it and punches it to the right of deep backward point for a couple of runs.

SIX! BANG! That sounded so sweet. At 146 kph, on a length. Pathum fights the angle of the ball going across him. Swats it away with ease over backward square leg and parks it many rows back into the stands.

A big swing and a miss! Archer delivers it on a short of a good length, over off. An uncharacteristic heave across the line by KL and he fails to connect. The bounce takes the ball over the sticks.

SIX! That is a shot and a half from KL Rahul. Archer attempts the short ball but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. In line with the off stump and it comes at waist height. KL swivels and plays the pull. He just checks his shot and it still travels all the way over square leg.

Hits the hard length, on off. KL rises with the bounce and stabs it down on the off side.

In and around the off pole, on a nagging length, Pathum taps it in front of mid off and hurries to the other end.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Honing in on the off stump, scrambled seam ball, on a good length. Nissanka hops away from the line of the ball and uses the pace of Archer. Steers it with an open bat face past backward point to pick up a boundary.

The physio is in for the mandatory concussion check. He is asking a few questions to Pathum Nissanka, who has a smile on his face while answering, which is a good sign. We are set to resume now.

FOUR! Yep, Jofra, we are baffled too. How has it gone to the ropes? Archer bends his back and slips in the bumper, over off, Nissanka pivots on the back foot for the pull and takes his eyes off a bit as he swings across the line. The ball catches the top edge and pings the Sri Lankan on the helmet. It deflects behind the square on the off side and races through the gap between backward point and short third.

FOUR! Rahul takes the aerial route! This is a on a good length, going away from the over-the-wicket angle. Rahul lets his hands flow into the lofted hit and goes over extra cover for a lovely boundary.

Slightly fuller, around the off pole, Rahul plays a punchy drive on the up to mid off.

A ripper from Burger! This leaves KL, on a short of a good length. Rahul has a fiddle at it before withdrawing his bat.

Oh, that could have gone back onto the stumps. Pushed across the batter, fractionally short, Rahul goes hard on the cut but chops it down off an under edge, and it bounces wide of the off pole.

Moving away a bit off the seam, on a short of a length, on off. KL gets behind the line and blocks it off.

FOUR! A clip off the pads and Rahul is away! Too straight from Burger, at the hips, on a back of a length. KL hops and helps it to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Nandre Burger to bowl from the other end.

Good riposte from Archer. Dishes out a bumper at 140.9 kph, over off. Nissanka tries to take it on, but the ball climbs onto him and sails over his blade. 11 runs off the first over of the chase.

SIX! Nicely picked up! Seam-up ball, drifting onto the pads. on a length. Nissanka just uses the angle and plays the pick-up shot off the pads. It sails way over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

FOUR! Up and over! Archer bowls it fuller in length, on off. A clean swing of the arms by Pathum to launch it over mid on. One bounce and over the ropes for the first boundary of the chase.

Wide! A bit of a shimmy towards the leg side from Nissanka. Archer tries to follow him but sprays it down leg. Pathum swings at it but misses. DC are on the board with this extra.

Brings the stumps into play now, does Archer. A good-length delivery, shaping back in, Nissanka stabs it down with a straight bat. Three dots in a row.

Slightly shorter, outside off. Pathum gets on his toes to force it through the off side. Ends up chopping it down in front of cover. A bit of yes and no between the batters but they eventually decide against taking the single.

Archer is right on the money! Hurls it on a good length first up at 145.2 kph, just outside the off stump. Nissanka hangs back and angles it down to backward point.

SIX! Axar Patel tips it over. To make matters worse, he has also hurt himself. Low full toss, angling away from over the wicket, Donovan gets low and gets his hands through the ball to swing through the line. Axar at long off leaps and sticks out his left hand but the ball hits him on the wrist and it drops beyond the ropes. 18 runs off the final over. RR finish with 225/6.

Well bowled! Across off, sneaking just inside the tramline, pace off and on a shortish length, Donovan lets it go. The umpire is happy with the height, and Ferreira opts not to review.

SIX! All the way! Natarajan errs while going for the yorker. A low full toss, going across. Ferreira hangs low and takes it on the full before dumping it over long off with a cross-bat. The long off fielder seemed to be in business for a moment, but eventually watched it sail over his head. The cheerleaders beyond the fence were ducking for cover, and one of them just about managed to evade it.

FOUR! In the gap! Slower, short ball, outside off. Ferreira gets his hands out in front and rises on his toes. He is early into the pull but manages to drag the shot to the left of deep square leg for a four.

Archer brings Ferreira back on strike. At the base of the off pole, a yorker, Archer jams it out through mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! CAUGHT! Not the best of balls, but T Natarajan will take it. More importantly, Donovan Ferreira stays away from strike. Natarajan looks for the yorker but it comes out as a thigh-high full toss, outside off. Dubey swings across the line with all his might but is a bit rushed and loses his shape in the process. Slices it high in the air towards cover, where Ashutosh Sharma settles under it and makes no mistake. Also, Jofra Archer comes out to the middle now.

Rajasthan Royals will want Donovan Ferreira back on strike as soon as possible.

Wide! T Natarajan attempts the wide yorker but this goes beyond the tramline.

T Natarajan will bowl the final over.

SIX! Absolutely thumped! Starc misses his yorker by a small margin, on off. Ferreira clears the front leg and opens up his front hip. He gets low to get under the ball before dispatching it over wide long off for a six.

FOUR! Just wide! From around the wicket, Starc nearly gets the yorker in, on off. Donovan Ferreira gets just enough leverage to get under the ball and opens the bat face to carve it behind point. Kuldeep Yadav sprints to his right and flings himself in that direction, but the ball evades him. It nearly went the distance as the ball bounced just in front of the boundary cushions. The 200 is up for RR.

Leg bye! A bit of tail back in on the yorker from Starc. Shubham gets the front leg out of the way and has a swipe across the line. Gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the pads. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls in front of point.

Nails the yorker, on off, Ferreira digs it out to extra cover and gets to the other end.

Pushes it across the right-hander at 143.2 kph, on a length. Donovan Ferreira reaches out and throws his hands at the ball. It flirts with the tramline but the decision goes in favour of the bowler.

Wide! Starc goes short, on middle, but this is too high. Donovan Ferreira lets it pass. Wide given for height.

Full and on middle, Dubey flicks it to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

A massive over for the Royals. Donovan Ferreira has taken down the match-up of Kuldeep Yadav in style.

SIX! Third biggie of the over. Donovan Ferreira is turning it on for the Royals at the back end of the innings. Kuldeep offers flight, full and on middle. Donovan Ferreira gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep towards cow corner for a 95-metre hit. 20 runs off Kuldeep's final over.

Shorter and a bit of turn, on middle. Donovan rocks back and forces it down the strip. The ball was in the air for a brief moment but dropped short of Kuldeep, who did well to make the stop.

SIXI Straighter this time, but the result is the same. Kuldeep gives the ball a bit of air but ends up being a bit too full, on off. Ferreira clears the front leg and collapses his back knee to get under the ball. Pumps it over long off for half a dozen more.

SIX! That has gone back a long way. Flighted delivery, googly attempted by Kuldeep. Full and wide on off, Donovan Ferreira extends his hands into the lofted hit and sends it way over cover for a biggie.

Out comes the googly, spinning back in, on a nagging length, on middle. Shubham angles it wide of backward point and crosses over.

Bowled with a flat trajectory, on a good length, on middle and leg. Donovan Ferreira rocks back and taps it to long on for a single.

Will we see Kuldeep Yadav now? Yes, we will. Axar Patel held him back for Donovan Ferreira.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Starc errs in length as he serves a juicy half-volley, on off. Dubey presses onto the front foot and creams the drive all along the ground, wide of extra cover. He picks up a boundary to get going.

Wide! Starc goes searching for the yorker but drifts down leg and it comes out as a low full toss. Dubey fails to help it away.

Delivers it full, outside off, Dubey steers it to backward point with an open bat face.

Double blow from the Aussie speedster as he gets rid of both set batters. Shubham Dubey walks out to bat now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mitchell Starc strikes gold for DC. From around the wicket, hits the back of a length, on off and middle. Parag just swings through the line, aiming to back over the bowler's head. The ball holds up a bit in the surface and one hand comes off the bat handle. It is skied towards mid off, where Axar Patel takes a few steps forward and does the rest. End of a fine knock from the RR skipper. Two wickets in the over. RR are now 168/5.

Full and slanting in at the toes, Ferreira knocks it down to long on for a single.

The next batter in is Donovan Ferreira.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Starc breaks through. Pace off and bowled into the surface by Starc, over off. Jadeja gets on his toes and gets his hands high. He tries to guide it over backward point but does not have any pace to work with. Spoons it to Ashutosh Sharma there on the edge of the ring, who moves to his right and takes the catch at head height.

Wide! Low full toss, drifting down leg, Jadeja lets it go past him.

FOUR! Gets it through! Skidding through at 143.7 kph, on a good length, just outside the off stump. Jadeja plays it late as he glides it to short third. Kyle Jamieson is late to get down to his right there and concedes a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Mitchell Starc (2-0-16-1) returns to the attack.

Top work! Low full toss, angling away, Jadeja extends his hands and hits it wide of mid off, but Tristan Stubbs is quick across the turf and dives to his right to prevent the ball from going past him. Single taken. 15 runs off the over.

A half-volley, on off. Parag cracks the drive to deep cover and crosses over.

FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of fours. A poor ball by Jamieson, a low full toss, sliding onto the pads. Parag helps it wide of short fine leg to his left and it races away.

FOUR! Smart batting! Pace off and dug in short, over middle. The off-cutter spins back towards the right-hander, but Parag gets his hands high to play the ramp over the keeper's head for four more.

FOUR! Helped away! Jamieson dishes out the yorker but strays on the toes. Parag gets inside the line and glances it to the left of the man at short fine leg for a four.

Good stop! Across off, on a good length. Jadeja cuts it late but can't get it through. Mitchell Starc moves to his left at backward point and gets down to make the stop. Just a single.

FOUR! Gets it away this time! T Natarajan misses the yorker again and bowls a full toss, on off. Riyan Parag shows the full face of the bat and smacks it to the long off fence for a boundary. No chance for Starc this time around.

Short of a length and around off, Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away to deep square leg for one.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! T Natarajan sticks to the fuller length, on middle. Ravindra Jadeja is expecting that length, hits it through the line and with a high elbow, tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Pitched up and on middle, Riyan Parag uses his wrists and clips it wide of long on for a run.

WIDE! Tries the bouncer, on middle, but this is too high for the batter, Riyan Parag leaves it alone. Wided.

Fuller one and on middle, Riyan Parag clips it away wide of long on, where Tristan Stubbs works in tandem with the deep mid-wicket fielder to keep it down to two runs.

A low full toss, on off, Riyan Parag drills it with a straight bat wide of long off. Mitchell Starc runs to his right and slides to pull the ball back inside. He does well to get rid of the ball before his back foot touches the ropes. Two taken. Starc seems to be experiencing a bit of cramp, but he is staying on.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A decent last couple of overs for the Delhi Capitals, but a challenging task awaits them in the final six. The surface has been a touch on the slower side, and Rajasthan Royals will be eyeing the 200-mark. Ravindra Jadeja has been guilty of chewing up deliveries so far. He will need to shift gears here, or at least keep turning the strike over. RR still have the likes of Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey waiting in the shed. An interesting phase of play awaits us.

Darts this one full and on middle and leg, Riyan Parag whips it away through mid-wicket for one more.

FOUR! Powered away! Kuldeep Yadav drags his length back a bit, on middle. Riyan Parag backs away a bit and uses all his shoulder strength to blast it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Short and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja cuts it away wide of point, where Ashutosh Sharma dives to his left to make a fantastic stop. He grabs the ball and throws it at the batter's end, where KL Rahul takes the bails off, but Parag has made his ground.

Slows it up, full and on off, Ravindra Jadeja taps it to the off side.

Floated, short and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket and calls for two. He hustles back for the second, but a better throw would have made things interesting here.

Flatter, full and around leg, Riyan Parag swipes at it but he ball goes off his pads towards short fine for a leg bye.

Kuldeep Yadav (2-0-13-0) is back. He has been tidy so far.

Run out chance...missed! Good length and on off, Ravindra Jadeja opens the face of his bat and guides it straight to point, but sets off for the run. He is sent back but gets stranded midway on the pitch. Ashutosh Sharma has a lot of time to take aim, but misses his shy at the batter's end. Jadeja had already given up, but got a life here.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Ravindra Jadeja uses his feet, reaches out and slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

On a back of a length, on off, that is punched off the back foot but straight to cover.

Much fuller and on middle and leg, shapes in a touch, Riyan Parag looks to flick it away, but misses and gets hit low on the back pad as the ball rolls to point. The batters cross. Axar Patel has a chat with his bowler and keeper but opts against the review. The umpire gives it as runs, so maybe an inside edge there as well.

Full again and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja drives it to long on for a run.

Fuller and on middle, Riyan Parag drills it to long on for a single.

Uppish but safe! This is slowed down by Axar, on a length, on middle. Parag backs away to go inside out but skews it off the outer half over cover-point for a single.

Dragged back, on leg, Ravindra Jadeja clips it through mid-wicket for one.

The 102-run stand has been broken. Ravindra Jadeja makes his way out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Axar Patel breaks the big partnership. He bowls this quicker and shorter, on middle, angling in. Dhruv Jurel backs away and looks to heave it over mid-wicket, but gets cramped up to free his arms completely. He ends up hitting it from the upper half of the bat much straighter towards long on, where Tristan Stubbs moves to his right, crouches on his knees and takes the catch with a reverse cup.

SIX! Superb use of the feet! Tossed up, full and on off, Dhruv Jurel skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and pumps it flat and over the long off fence for a biggie. That also brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Short and around leg, Riyan Parag nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Full and on off, Jurel comes forward and plays it to long off for a run.

Axar Patel (3-0-29-0) returns to bowl his final over.

SIX! How has he got that there? T Natarajan bangs this into the pitch, keeps the line outside off again. Riyan Parag opens up his stance, plays it like a tennis player's forehand smash, dismissing it over the wide long off fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Put away! T Natarajan gets the slower one wrong and serves a juicy full toss, outside off. Riyan Parag makes the most of it and smashes it over extra cover for a boundary. 100 UP FOR RR.

Short of a length and on middle, Dhruv Jurel rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FIFTY FOR PARAG! His first of the season and this has been a captain's knock. This should give him and his team a lot of confidence going ahead in the season. Pitched up, on off, Riyan Parag drills it to long off for a run. Not much of a celebaration, just a little raise of the bat and a hug from his partner.

Hits the length hard and around off, takes pace off, Riyan Parag swats it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Goes fuller but way outside off, Riyan Parag leaves it alone. Called a wide.

Back of a length and around off, Riyan Parag stabs it hard on the ground but straight to extra cover.

Loopy googly, full and on off. Dhruv gets his hands through the line of the ball and drills it to the right of long off. Kyle Jamieson gets around and tidies up. Two runs taken. A tidy over from Kuldeep.

Very full, on middle and leg. Parag can't get under it and hits it along the ground to long on. Just a single.

Nearly sneaked through! This skids through, short and flat, on middle. Jurel rocks back for the pull but is rushed. Squeezes out an inside edge towards short fine leg. They cross.

Shorter and on off, Jurel pats it back to Kuldeep.

Dishes out the googly, slower and full, on middle. Riyan drops it beside the strip on the off side and hurries to the other end.

Full and on leg, Jurel clips it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Strategic Break! Despite losing both the explosive openers cheaply, the Rajasthan Royals have managed to recover nicely here. It is their skipper, Riyan Parag, leading from the front, and he is nearing a half-century, with this already being his best score this season. Dhruv Jurel is playing the anchor, and this partnership is becoming threatening for the visitors. The pitch does not have any demons on it, and anything less than 200, the Capitals will take it. However, they will have to break this stand first and then put pressure on the RR middle order, which has been a bit inconsistent this season.

Bowls it full and quick, on middle. Parag plays a punchy drive but can't get it past the diving Sameer Rizvi at cover.

Slower and fuller, on off, a bit of grip in the surface. Parag checks his drive to cover.

Just a single. Short and on leg, Dhruv nurdles it in front of deep mid-wicket and they take the first run hard. Jurel slips while turning around for the second and the batters eventually settle with one.

At 97.7 kph, short and on middle, bowled a bit round arm. Riyan punches it to long off for one.

SIX! Back-to-back sixes! Parag is taking down his counterpart. Darted in, on a good length, on middle. This just sits up to be hit and Parag clobbers it way back over mid-wicket for a biggie.

SIX! Clean strike! Axar gives it a bit of air, full and outside off. Riyan Parag gets the width to free his arms and presses onto the front foot. He swings through the line and hammers it over long on for a six.

Tossed up, full and on off, Riyan dabs it beside the strip on the off side and takes a quick single.

Quicker through the air, fractionally short, Dhruv comes down the track and punches it to long on for one more.

Drops it short again, on middle  Parag shovels it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

Shorter and turning into the pads. Parag presses back and whips it towards deep mid-wicket. Sameer Rizvi sprints and dives to his left to cut it off. Two runs taken.

Stays full, on off, Dhruv pushes it down the strip. Kuldeep dives to his right but cannot make a clean stop. He parries it away, allowing a single.

Flighted delivery, full and on middle, driven to long on for one.

Spin from both ends as Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack now.

Attacking the front pad, a bit full. Parag wrists it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.

Darted in, on the shorter side, on middle. Jurel goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid wicket for a single.

Sharp stop! Flat and short, on off, Dhruv cuts it hard but Nitish Rana dives to his right and cuts it off, saving at least a couple of runs.

FOUR! Nicely adjusted! This keeps coming with the arm at 91.5 kph, on a good length, in line with the off stump. Jurel shimmies down the pitch initially but then holds his charge and adjusts to the shortness of the length. Cuts it between backward point and short third and picks up a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

Slows it down a bit, on a good length, on middle. Parag turns it through mid-wicket for another single.

Skidding through, on a nagging length, on middle. This is punched to long on for one.

Giving a third over on the trot to Kyle Jamieson proved a bit costly for DC. However, they will still be pleased with how things went in the Powerplay, and getting rid of both the openers, they would have taken that all day long.

Jamieson hurls it on a good length, on middle. Dhruv pats it in front of mid on and hurries to the other end. A good finish to the Powerplay for the home side. 20 runs off the over. After 6 overs, the Royals are 56/2.

Good placement! Jamieson drags the length back and follows Jurel as he backs away. Dhruv watchfully nudges it with soft hands in front of deep square leg and picks up a brace.

Sliding onto the pads, pace taken off. Riyan dabs it beside the strip on the leg side and crosses over.

SIX! Nothing edgy about this one. Good proactive batting from the RR skipper. Seam-up ball, on a good length, angled in at the sticks. Parag moves towards the leg side to open up the off side. Presents a high elbow and goes inside out over cover for half a dozen. The 50 is up for RR.

FOUR! Off the edge! On a hard length, around the off stump. Parag is slightly tucked up for room but flashes hard at the ball. It flies off an outside edge between the keeper and short third for a four.

SIX! Hit with real authority! Floated up there by Jamieson as he goes searching for the swing, on middle. Parag puts his head down and has a swing across the line. He holds his shape and with a still head, he clubs it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Change? Nope, Kyle Jamieson (2-0-13-1) to continue.

Full and speared in at the sticks, Parag taps it to long off for a single.

A much louder appeal for LBW, still turned down! Axar Patel pushes this through quicker, full and on middle, angles it in. Riyan Parag once again switches hands for the switch hit but misses and gets hit on the pads. Axar Patel has a chat with his keeper and takes the review this time. UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved, and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is missing the leg stump. DC lose a review.

Slight shout for LBW, but turned down! Flatter, full and on off, Riyan Parag changes his stance for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Dhruv Jurel looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards mid on for a run.

FOUR! Great shot! Shorter in length and outside off, Dhruv Jurel rocks back, gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.

Floated, full and on off, Riyan Parag drives it to long off for a single.

Still some movement in that last over for Jamieson. Will Starc bowl one more in the Powerplay? The answer is no. Axar Patel brings himself on.

Short of a length and on off, Riyan Parag dabs it down in front of point for a quick one.

Beaten! Fuller in length and in the channel outside off, gets it to shape away, Riyan Parag goes for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pitched up and on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it wide of short cover. Pathum Nissanka dives to his left to make a half-stop and the batters get the run.

FOUR! Excellent timing! Good-length delivery, on middle, drifts into the pads. Dhruv Jurel brings his wrists into play and flicks it with sublime timing through square leg for a boundary.

Touch slower and fuller, outside off, Riyan Parag throws his bat at it. He slices it uppishly but through the vacant point region for a run.

On a length and on middle, angling in, Dhruv Jurel clips it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Connects this time! Just back of a length and around middle, it sits up nicely for the batter. Riyan Parag gets on top of the bounce and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Well bowled! The trademark in-swinging yorker from Mitchell Starc, on middle, Riyan Parag just about gets his bat down in time to dig it out.

Swing and a miss! Mitchell Starc bangs this into the pitch at 137.5 kph, on off, takes off again. Riyan Parag tries to pull it away but fails to connect.

Short of a length and outside off, angling away with extra bounce, Riyan Parag slashes at it but misses.

Pitched up and on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it through point for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Mitchell Starc lands this on a good length and around off. Dhruv Jurel strides out a bit, uses the width and cracks the drive through covers for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, Riyan Parag leaves it alone.

Both RR openers are back in the hut inside the first two overs. A rare occurrence this season, and DC are off to the perfect start. In walks the Rajasthan skipper, Riyan Parag.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Kyle Jamieson with an instant response, and the crowd has gone absolutely silent here in Jaipur. The Kiwi this time gets the yorker right, on off, tailing in a bit as well. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stays back and tries to dig it out, but gets a bit late to get his bat down. The ball goes off the toe-end onto the back pad before kissing the stumps behind. Jamieson is pumped up here and gives a bit of a send-off to the youngster.

FOUR! Take that, says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi! Kyle Jamieson searches for the yokrer, but ends up serving a half-volley, on off. Sooryavanshi stays deep inside his crease and thumps it down the ground to the long off fence for a boundary.

On a length and on off, Dhruv Jurel opens the bat face and guides it towards point for a single.

Play and a miss! Kyle Jamieson sees the batter advance and hits the length hard, on off, shaping it away. Dhruv Jurel gets a bit squared up trying to play at it as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Kyle Jamieson begins with a fuller delivery, on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it straight to short cover.

The tall Kyle Jamieson will steam in from the other end.

Fuller one and on off, Dhruv Jurel drives it to mid off for a single. End of an eventful first over, a wicket and 7 runs off it!

BEAUTY! Good-length delivery, around off, angling away with extra bounce. Dhruv Jurel has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Dhruv Jurel knocks it to mid on.

Mitchell Starc is on the board in a rather unusual fashion. Dhruv Jurel walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! There's the response from the Aussie. Not a wicket-taking delivery, but Mitchell Starc opens his account for the season. He bowls a high full toss at 143.3 kph, around the midriff of the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets surprised by it and just swings at it. It spoons up off the higher part of the bat, and Starc runs to his left to take a dolly. Jaiswal is not going anywhere as the third umpire is checking for a No Ball above waist height. However, the Ball Tracking shows that it is well below the waist of Yashasvi, and he will have to walk back to the hut.

Mitchell Starc has his first wicket, or has he? Yashasvi Jaiswal is going nowhere. The third umpire has been summoned to check the height of the full toss. It seems to be below the waist on the side-on replay. The Ball Tracking confirms that it is a fair delivery with the ball being below the waist. OUT flashes on the big screen.

Hard length and outside off, shaping away a bit. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to cut it away but toe-ends it towards short third.

SIX! Now, that's some welcome for Mitchell Starc this season! He lands this back of a length and around middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal picks up the length in a trice, swivels and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

We are all set for the action to get underway in Jaipur. Axar Patel has gathered his men in a huddle near the ropes, with the captain spurring his team on with a few final words before they take the field. Out walk the formidable RR opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Playing his first game of the season, Mitchell Starc will kick off proceedings with the new ball for DC. Jaiswal to take strike. A slip in place. Let's go...

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that they would have bowled first anyway, as in the last game at this venue, SRH chased something around 230. Mentions that they just have to keep a positive attitude and try to turn things around. Axar informs that there are a few changes in the side. Mitchell Starc is playing so Dushmantha Chameera misses out. Sahil Parakh is out with a neck spasm, and Pathum Nissanka comes in, with David Miller also sitting out this match.

The captain of the Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag believes it is not the usual Jaipur wicket, noting a bit of dryness and patchiness on the surface. He expects it to slow down as the game progresses. Parag says the middle and lower-order finishing the previous game was pleasing to see. Highlights that chasing down 223 was a collective effort, with everyone stepping up at different stages. Riyan admits they are still not playing complete cricket, but hopes the team can put it all together going forward. Informs that Ravi Bishnoi comes back in and Dasun Shanaka sits out, with Shubham Dubey being included in the starting XI.

Impact sub options for DC - Vipraj Nigam, Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi, David Miller.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka (In for David Miller), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma (In for Sahil Parakh), Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Starc (In for Dushmantha Chameera), Kuldeep Yadav and T Natarajan.

Impact sub options for RR - Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Ravi Singh, Yash Punja and Tushar Deshpande.

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey (In for Dasun Shanaka), Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi (In for Yash Punja), Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma.

Riyan Parag gives the coin a flip and it lands in his favour. Rajasthan Royals elect to BAT first.

TOSS - It's time for the coin flip in the Pink City! Both the captains are out in the middle now.

Let's hear from the other camp now - RR's Nandre Burger says he is feeling pretty good and is focusing on keeping things simple, hoping to get the job done tonight. Shares that it has been a joy to watch Jofra Archer go about his work. Burger believes that bowling to Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi in the nets provides a strong challenge, which in itself is a good way to improve and test his skills. Acknowledges the importance of the game, with the team keen to stay in the top four. Nandre also points out that with a long break coming up, it is important to switch off, get their minds off cricket for a bit, and then come back refreshed and regroup.

A Kiwi is up for a chat - DC's Kyle Jamieson says that it is an important game for them. Adds that they have had a couple of good days of training, Starcy is back as well, and hopefully their fortunes will change. Says that Starc has been back for a few days, and he is hitting the nets well, and they need him. Kyle mentions that you have to take the challenges head-on, but it is also important to stick to your plans, though those haven't worked for him so far this season. Says that you do discuss the opposition and come up with some game plans, but in the end, it is all about the execution. Jamieson shares that there is not much for the bowlers this season, you just have to play a bit of cat and mouse with the batters, hit the hard lengths and hope for the best. Ends by saying that it is a must-win game for them, but that also makes their roles clearer, and they can play with a bit more freedom.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison mentions it has been very warm in Jaipur, with an odd shower late in the day, but there is hardly any cloud in the sky at the moment. Shares that there is a noticeable discrepancy in the square boundaries, with one side at 69 metres and the other shorter at 63, while it is 76 metres straight down the ground. Simon Katich adds that the surface is hard, almost like concrete. Tells that there is a little bit of grass, but overall it looks like an absolute batting paradise, which could mean a tough outing for the bowlers. Further says that the outfield is in superb shape and batters will get value for their shots.  Katich says that historically, RR have enjoyed success here, winning around 60 per cent of their games in Jaipur, but since 2025, that record has dipped significantly, with just one win in their last six matches. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to watching the battle between Sooryavanshi and Starc.

The numbers game - Head-to-head? Dead level - 15 wins each from 30 meetings, which tells you how finely poised this rivalry is. At this very ground, though, the numbers flip. Batting first, teams have won 30 per cent (last 10 games) of the time here, but the average winning score is 205, which tells you defendable totals are an illusion. Add to that a last-five-encounters ledger featuring a Super Over, a 12-run thriller, and a 20-run heist. One stat seals it -Sooryavanshi scores nearly 80 per cent of his runs in the powerplay, while Archer has the joint-most Powerplay wickets (9) this season. Something has to give, and it might happen in the first six overs. Toss and team news in a bit.

Delhi's pride on the line - Delhi Capitals, to put it bluntly, are in crisis. Their last outing was a massacre - bundled out for 75 by RCB, losing by nine wickets inside seven overs, making it three losses on the trot. KL Rahul has been a lone warrior with 358 runs, but the top order around him has collapsed, leaving a lot to do for the Proteas pair of Tristan Stubbs and David Miller, who have bailed them out on a few occasions. But here comes the cavalry. Mitchell Starc is available for selection from this game, and his return could be the psychological reboot Delhi desperately needs. The Rahul vs Archer subplot remains box office - Rahul has 90 runs off Archer in IPL history, the most by any batter, while Archer has picked up a wicket on the first ball three times this season, but the bigger question is, can anyone else in blue step up before Starc walks in?

Royals' opening overdrive - Rajasthan Royals arrive riding a much-needed adrenaline shot. They got back to winning ways by chasing down a monstrous 223 against the Punjab Kings, and the architects were their explosive openers. Yashasvi Jaiswal and the record-smashing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are turning Powerplays into batting practice, averaging 50.1 as a pair this. Sooryavanshi now owns the best strike rate in IPL history (min. 500 runs) and leads the tournament in sixes. Donovan Ferreira showed why he is one of the most lethal finishers in the format with a match-winning fifty. But the Royals' bowling remains a question mark, and at a venue where the average first-innings score is a daunting 199, their attack will need more than just Jofra Archer's fiery new-ball magic.

The Pink City lights up - Welcome, cricket fans, to the beating heart of the Pink City! It's Match 43 of IPL 2026, and the Sawai Mansingh Stadium is set to witness a cracker between the Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Capitals. With both teams on different paths, this isn't just a contest, it's a statement waiting to be made. The floodlights are on, the pitch is pristine, and Jaipur is ready for a high-octane showdown.

... MATCH DAY ...

Momentum vs Desperation - As the IPL 2026 caravan keeps moving, we arrive back in Jaipur, where the Rajasthan Royals will be taking on the Delhi Capitals in Match number 43 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The two sides head into this clash with different aspirations - the Royals are coming off 2 wins in the last three games, including a big one against the then-unbeaten Punjab Kings, and the Capitals come into this clash on the back of three successive defeats, desperate to re-ignite their campaign. Royals' strength upfront - The Royals’ success this season has largely stemmed from their explosive top order and improved depth. Young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been a revelation, piling up over 400 runs and even smashing a rapid century earlier in the tournament. Alongside him, Yashasvi Jaiswal has provided stability, while the middle order, featuring Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag, has started to click at the right time. Although Parag’s form has been inconsistent, signs of recovery in the last match are encouraging. With the ball, Jofra Archer has been the spearhead, consistently delivering breakthroughs and controlling key phases. The presence of all-round options like Ravindra Jadeja adds balance, making RR one of the most complete sides this season. Searching for a way back - Delhi Capitals’ season has been defined by extremes. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance, like posting a massive 260+ total, but have also collapsed dramatically, highlighting their inconsistency. KL Rahul remains their most reliable batter, capable of anchoring or accelerating depending on the situation. Support from players like Tristan Stubbs and David Miller provides finishing firepower, but the middle order has struggled to maintain consistency. On the bowling front, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel form a strong spin duo, while the potential inclusion of Mitchell Starc could significantly boost their pace attack. However, DC’s biggest challenge remains execution - both with bat and ball, and that too across all phases of the game. What to expect from the pitch? The Jaipur surface has evolved into a high-scoring venue in IPL 2026. The first match at this ground saw a 220+ target chased down comfortably, indicating that bowlers will need precision rather than relying on assistance from the pitch. Teams winning the toss are likely to prefer chasing, as dew and pitch conditions tend to favour batters later in the game. However, it is a big ground, which does give the bowlers a bit of breathing room when compared to other venues on the circuit. Whom does history favour? Historically, this rivalry is perfectly balanced. Both teams have won 15 matches each out of 30 encounters, reflecting how closely matched they’ve been over the years. Interestingly, recent meetings slightly favour Delhi, who have won three of the last five clashes. Their latest encounter was in the previous season, a topsy-turvy battle that went into a Super Over shootout, with DC emerging as the eventual winners. Form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - RR - WLWLL | DC - LLLWL. Predictions? Rajasthan Royals enter this contest as clear favourites due to their consistency, balanced squad, and home advantage. Their ability to adapt to conditions and deliver across departments gives them a strong edge. Delhi Capitals, however, remain dangerous on their day. If their key players fire collectively and their bowling unit clicks, especially with potential reinforcements, they are capable of pulling off an upset. Who do you think will come out on top?