As the IPL 2026 season progresses, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are looking to turn their fortunes around against the Delhi Capitals (DC). With only two matches played over a period of more than two weeks, RR has faced a challenging start, losing both games. Currently sitting outside the playoff positions, they can still reclaim a top-four spot by securing a victory against DC on Sunday.
Rajasthan Royals Aiming for Recovery
RR’s recent time off has provided valuable opportunities for recovery, especially for key player Riyan Parag. After missing the last game due to a hamstring issue, he is back in training. Parag’s performance earlier this season included a notable 90 runs off 50 balls against DC, showcasing his potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming match.
Meanwhile, DC faces an uphill battle in their playoff ambitions. They recently recorded their highest IPL score but lost the match, highlighting inconsistencies within their squad. Key issues, including injuries to players like Mitchell Starc and the underperformance of Kuldeep Yadav, have further complicated their season.
Recent Form and Team News
- Delhi Capitals: Last five matches: WLLWL
- Rajasthan Royals: Last five matches: LLWLW
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, RR is likely to reinstate Parag in their starting lineup. The Capitals are expected to rely on KL Rahul’s leadership and hope for Kuldeep Yadav to rediscover his form, as their batting options remain limited.
Probable Teams
| Delhi Capitals | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| 1. Abishek Porel | 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| 2. KL Rahul (wk) | 2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
| 3. Sahil Parakh | 3. Dhruv Jurel (wk) |
| 4. David Miller | 4. Riyan Parag (capt) |
| 5. Ashutosh Sharma | 5. Donovan Ferreira |
| 6. Axar Patel (capt) | 6. Shubham Dubey |
| 7. Tristan Stubbs | 7. Ravindra Jadeja |
| 8. Madhav Tiwari | 8. Jofra Archer |
| 9. Kuldeep Yadav | 9. Ravi Bishnoi/Yash Punja |
| 10. Mitchell Starc | 10. Nandre Burger/Adam Milne |
| 11. Lungi Ngidi | 11. Brijesh Sharma |
| 12. Mukesh Kumar | 12. Tushar Deshpande |
Key Players to Watch
Yashasvi Jaiswal is a player to monitor closely. Despite a strong start to the tournament, his recent form has seen a decrease in performance. The matchup with Mitchell Starc adds an intriguing element to their contest. On the other hand, Tristan Stubbs has struggled to accelerate, with a strike rate of just 111 in the initial phases of his innings, which must improve if DC hopes to succeed.
Pitch Conditions
Expect a batting-friendly pitch that has favored high scores in recent games. Four of the last five matches on this surface surpassed 180 runs. However, note that three of the last four games were won by teams batting first. With temperatures set to soar to 42°C, it could be a challenging day for players on the field.
As RR seeks a crucial recovery against DC, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how both teams respond to this pivotal match in IPL 2026.
