NEW DELHI: KL Rahul looked delighted as he steered Delhi Capitals to a dominant seven-wicket triumph over Rajasthan Royals in a high-pressure IPL 2026 encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The result was a major lift for Delhi, who had been reeling after dropping their previous three matches in a row.
Coming into the game after a disappointing showing where Delhi were dismissed for just 75 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Capitals responded with real intent. They went on to complete what was described as the highest successful chase in their IPL history.
How Delhi pulled off the chase
- Rajasthan Royals set a stern target of 225/6 after posting 225 runs for the loss of six wickets.
- Delhi began aggressively, building a 110-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka.
- Rahul struck 75 off 40 balls, while Nissanka made 62 off 33, giving Delhi a platform to chase comfortably.
- Tristan Stubbs finished the job with an unbeaten 18, while Ashutosh Sharma also remained not out on 25.
- Delhi reached the target with five balls to spare, sealing the match by seven wickets.
Speaking after the win, Rahul shared how much the victory meant to him, emphasising that numbers and personal milestones are important, but winning is the ultimate goal. He also said the dressing room had remained mentally grounded, adding that the team tries to keep their setup “balanced” throughout.
Rahul was named Player of the Match. He reflected on the recent results, noting that while the outcomes had not always gone Delhi’s way, the team had not made serious mistakes in their overall approach. He pointed to the fact that, apart from the previous game, Delhi had often been in the contest—sometimes just one over away from turning things in their favour.
He stressed that T20 cricket does not allow a second chance, and that it was vital to take opportunities when they come and apply pressure to close out matches—something Delhi admitted they had not done consistently enough.
Rahul also discussed the feel of his innings and the batting dynamic with Nissanka. He said he wanted more deliveries in the powerplay, but explained that Nissanka’s attacking approach left him little to do other than stay involved and watch the momentum build. Rahul credited the way Pathum played as the key reason Delhi got “right in front of the game,” adding that attacking early is something Delhi aim to do.
On the partnership, Rahul said their conversations are not overly complex—mostly reminders to play proper cricket shots, remain aggressive in the opening overs, and make full use of the powerplay. He added that Nissanka has batted well across the season, and while he had often stopped short of big scores, reaching a fifty in the IPL would give him confidence and help him continue providing strong starts for the team.
When asked what aspect of his season he was most satisfied with, Rahul highlighted his strike rate. He said it had been a talking point for years, and that improving it had been a major focus for him—something he believes aligns with what modern T20 demands. Rahul described the progress as pleasing because it supports the team’s requirements.
With this win, Delhi Capitals recorded their fourth victory of the campaign and moved to sixth place in the points table. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, stayed fourth with six wins from 10 matches.
