Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals, 43rd Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - CommentaryRR vs DC, 43rd Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - Commentary

Delhi Capitals finally snap their three-match losing streak and do so in emphatic fashion with a record victory. Just as importantly, they stop Rajasthan Royals from breaking away from the chasing pack in the points table race. That’s all from this game. Tomorrow we have the big one - Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians. Do join us for that. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

KL Rahul | Player of the Match: (Winning makes it so much sweeter) Yeah, of course it does. At the end of the day, we play the sport to win. After playing for so many years, numbers do matter. I mean, you're happy that you score runs and you score these big runs and break records. But if you don't get the W after the game, it's not as much fun. (What did you have to do to make sure that the dressing room stayed in the right place and you stayed in the right place for the next one?) No, the dressing room's always been in a decent place. We try and keep that dressing room as balanced as possible. And we do realise that the results haven't gone our way, but if you really have to dig deep and see if we're doing blunders or if we're doing some big mistakes, that wasn't the case. We had some honest conversations in the dressing room. Yes, we couldn't cash in on the big moments. Except the last game, every other game we were in the contest and one over if it went our way, we would have been on the winning side. So we do realise that we played some decent cricket, but there were some areas that we really needed to get sharp and crisp. And this competition and T20 cricket doesn't allow you a second chance. So it was important that we take our chances and when we're ahead, really press hard and finish the game, which we weren't doing. So really happy that we could get this win and we look forward to stringing a few more wins together and that will give us more confidence. (How much did you enjoy the way it was pinging off your bat as we go through your innings?) Yeah, I did. I was hoping I could get some more balls in the powerplay. But the way Pathum batted, there was not much for me to do. I just have to stand on the other side and watch how he was smoking the ball. The way he batted, put us right in front of the game. That's what we expect of the powerplay. We tend to attack you early. They're a really good team that wins games in powerplay with bat and ball. With the ball as well, I think we started really well with the bat as well. It gave us the start that we needed in a 220 game. (Partnership with Pathum) Yeah, we do. I mean, there's not a lot of conversations that we have, but yeah, just reminding each other to play proper cricket shots and be as aggressive as we can in the powerplay and use the powerplay. So yeah, that's about it. And he's batted really well this season in the games that he's gotten, but he couldn't get past those 40s, And I think, getting a 50 in the IPL, his first IPL season will definitely give him a lot of confidence and hopefully he builds from there and keep giving the team these starts. (Is there any particular aspect of your game that you're most satisfied about this season?) The strike rate. I think it was a big talking point for a few years. So that's something that I've really worked on. So I'm happy that I've worked on that and I'm doing what's required for the team, number one, and doing what modern T20 cricket requires. And yeah, that's something that's pleasing for me.

Axar Patel | DC captain (translated from Hindi): (There must be happiness, pride and relief as well) No, actually even after the last match when I was giving interviews, I was saying the same thing - that you have to come every day and keep doing the same things. You can always turn things around. So yes, very happy with the way the boys played today. The way they batted and bowled, I think both departments were excellent and I’m very happy. The plan was executed exactly the way we wanted and because of that we got the results too. As a captain, you can’t be happier than that. If you can get the wickets of the opposition’s main batters - the ones who can change the game in the powerplay - then at that moment there’s nobody happier than me. (On Starc's return) Obviously. The way he bowled today, that’s why he’s a legend of the game. After three months away, coming back and delivering a performance like this on a wicket like this - it tells you how big a player he is. Very happy that Starc is back and showing everyone why he’s such a great bowler. (How has your captaincy grown through these experiences?) Even when I was with the Indian team, I was working in leadership roles and that helps a lot. In the IPL, you have overseas players and Indian players to manage, and at the same time your decision-making becomes very important. I think I’ve grown in that aspect. I don’t overthink as much now. I back what I feel and trust my instincts. We also have our coaches and support staff, so the whole think tank is helping. The results are showing that we’re moving in the right direction and backing yourself becomes very important. (Is the hand okay?) Yeah, it’s okay now. The physio has applied ice on it. And lastly, after the tragedy involving some of our fans after the previous game, I just want to say - sorry for your loss. This win is dedicated to them. We lost two members connected with our DC family.

Mitchell Starc - Yeah, nice to get some cobwebs out, get back to the speed of the game. I think I was good to get some running in the legs, but nice to be back around the guys, get some training in, and then obviously get the win tonight. So, yeah, nice to return. Take out that first ball and I might be happy. (Does it take time to get your rhythm?) Yeah, I've been bowling a little bit for a period of weeks, just trying to get the elbow into a position where I can manage what it is. I hadn't bowled to a batter for three months until two nights ago. So, it's sort of getting back to the speed of T20 cricket, it is pretty quick. I wasn't playing white-ball cricket for a while, so yeah, in terms of the ticking the boxes with the skills, I felt like I was in a position to do most of what I wanted to do, and then tonight was a good reminder of a few of the things, pace of the game. But yeah, I think I'll be better for the run in the legs for 20 overs, and then now I get into my portion of the tournament. (Left-arm is strapped, anymore?) There's a couple of things. I think we laugh if you've got three things strapped it is time to think about retirement, but I'm not quite there yet. But no, it is what it is. It's the cricketer's life, it is a bowlers's life. We move on.

Stats by Shashikant Singh

- 46 runs is the most Jofra Archer has conceded in an innings in this IPL season.

Highest successful chases for DC in IPL
226 vs RR, Jaipur, 2026*
210 vs LSG, Vizag, 2025
209 vs GL, Delhi, 2017
207 vs PBKS, Jaipur, 2025

- This is also the second-highest successful chase against RR, behind the 229 runs chased by SRH at the same venue earlier this season.

- RR have lost 6 out of 7 games at Jaipur since 2025.

Most PoTM awards in IPL (Indian)
21 - Rohit Sharma
20 - Virat Kohli
18 - MS Dhoni
17 - Ravindra Jadeja
17 - KL Rahul*

Successful chases of 220+ in IPL
2008-2025 - Five
2026 - Seven

Riyan Parag | RR captain - I think it was a good score. I thought 200 was a par score here. It was going to slow down a bit, but I think we could have bowled way better in the middle overs, not let them get away a little too much. And then a lot of boundaries in one single over and that repeated. So I felt we missed the trick with that, but no harm with the decision we made. (on the decision to not promote Ferraira) It was actually a lefty idea and I don't know actually. There were what, six, seven overs to go, or no, eight, nine overs to go? We wanted to delay it slightly, score about 8 or 9 runs off the spinners and then face pace bowling from ball one. I feel that was the plan, nothing much to think about that. (On his injury) Hopefully it's not too serious, but a little bit on the hamstring. Thankfully, we have about a week break, so we'll clear it out. (On his batting) I don't think I need to answer any critics or anyone talking about it. But at the end of the day, my job is to get two points. So my score and my innings don't really matter if we lose the game.

23:26 Local Time, 17:56 GMT: That was a clinical chase from Delhi Capitals. For a side that was shot out for 75 in their previous game and had never chased down a 220-plus total in their history, this was as good as it gets. They got there with 4 balls to spare and 7 wickets in hand. Nissanka gave them the perfect start in the powerplay as the Capitals raced to 70. Rahul then took over once the field spread out, and together the pair stitched a rapid 100-plus opening stand. After Nissanka’s dismissal, Nitish Rana carried the momentum forward and added another 50-plus partnership with Rahul. The two looked set to cruise home, but wickets in successive overs briefly brought Rajasthan Royals back into the contest. However, Ashutosh and Stubbs held their nerve and guided the Capitals home. A much-needed win for Delhi after three consecutive defeats. Presentations coming up..

5 from the last over. Brijesh to bowl. Can he pull off a miracle here? Ashutosh will be on strike..

14 from 12. Delhi Capitals have this in the bag. Only a brainfade can deny them the two points. Archer to bowl the penultimate over.