Delhi Capitals finally found solace, breaking their losing streak on home turf. Sunday was expected to be a Vaibhav Sooryavanshi show in the national capital, but Axar Patel & Co. spoiled the visitors’ party. The seasoned all-rounder made the 194-run chase look easy with a fluent innings, bidding a heartfelt goodbye to the Delhi fans. The hosts jolted RR’s playoff hopes with a five-wicket win, ending a run of five straight losses at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in IPL 2026.
The Perfect Start
Rahul was dropped by Yash Raj Punja at the very beginning of DC’s chase of 194. Jofra Archer was visibly displeased with the missed chance, little knowing Rahul would capitalise and bring up his fifth half-century of the season.
For the first time in IPL 2026,
the Capitals’ opening pair looked in complete control. Rahul and Abhishek Porel operated in tandem, ensuring at least a boundary per over. After a 60-run Powerplay, the duo stitched together a century stand to shape DC’s win in their final home game of the season.
Porel played his best knock of the season, scoring a quickfire 51 with seven fours and a six. Rahul, meanwhile, worked hard for his 56 off 42 balls, hitting just one four and three sixes.
Axar Patel – The Crisis Man
Delhi stuttered slightly after losing their openers, but skipper Axar Patel—the crisis man—once again came to the rescue. After struggling for most of the season, Axar had found form in Dharamsala against PBKS and carried that momentum back home to light up the Kotla.
He began cautiously but shifted gears at the right time. Pressure mounted when DC lost Rahul, Stubbs, and David Miller in quick succession. With 19 needed off 11 balls, Axar found solid support from impact substitute Ashutosh Sharma, who sealed the chase with a blistering 18 off just five balls. Axar returned unbeaten on 34 off 18.
DC Bowlers Wake Up in Time
Earlier, Delhi Capitals flipped the game on its head in the final six overs, scripting a remarkable turnaround. DC were under pressure with Rajasthan Royals cruising at 160/2 after 14 overs.
But Mitchell Starc’s fiery comeback changed everything. The left-arm quick struck thrice in a game-defining 15th over, removing Riyan Parag, Ferreira, and Ravi Singh to trigger a collapse. From there, Lungi Ngidi’s clever variations and Madhav Tiwari’s timely breakthroughs ensured RR lost six wickets for just 33 runs.
Sooryavanshi, You Beauty!
The teenager has been a crowd charmer all season. Wherever he goes, the fans follow—and Kotla was no different on Sunday, with over 30,000 spectators entertained by Sooryavanshi’s blitz.
His first-ball six off Lungi Ngidi set the tone for his brief but impactful innings, aided by a dropped chance from Sameer Rizvi in the Powerplay. The 15-year-old looked set for a special knock before being deceived by Madhav Tiwari’s slower delivery. A mistimed pull ended his stay at 46 off 21 balls, an innings laced with three sixes and five fours.
Captain Parag Roars Again
Riyan Parag rediscovered his batting mojo earlier this month against Delhi in Jaipur. A 90-run knock boosted his confidence, though a hamstring injury kept him out of the next game against Gujarat Titans.
Back in Delhi, the RR skipper looked fit and firing. Parag registered another 50-plus score, forging a crucial 72-run partnership with Dhruv Jurel. He scored 51 at a strike rate of 196.25, smashing the most sixes for his team before falling to Mitchell Starc in the 16th over.
Dhruv Jurel – The Anchor
Dhruv Jurel played the supporting role for most of the innings. However, after losing two in-form partners—Sooryavanshi and Parag—the wicketkeeper-batter struggled to accelerate.
When RR needed a late surge, Jurel couldn’t quite shift gears. His strike rate dipped to around 132 as he finished with 53 off 40 balls. Rajasthan ultimately lacked the final push, falling short of the 200-mark.
