A batting masterclass from KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, featuring a smooth chase and clinical finishing, helped Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in Jaipur on Friday. Rahul struck 75 and Nissanka made 62 as the Capitals chased 226 with three wickets in hand, eclipsing Riyan Parag’s late charge of 90. Parag’s innings had lifted Rajasthan to a challenging total of 225 for six, though a hamstring issue kept him out of a substantial portion of Delhi’s run chase.
Rajasthan’s 225 for six: Parag’s 90 and a late surge
Rajasthan Royals posted 225 for six after Parag delivered a tournament-defining response to a difficult stretch. The skipper had been short of runs earlier in the season, and the pressure only intensified when he was fined 25% by the BCCI after being caught on camera vaping inside the dugout. Needing to make a statement, Parag did exactly that with his first IPL score above fifty in IPL 2026.
Rajasthan’s innings had begun under strain as two key wickets fell early. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed after being yorked by Kyle Jamieson, while Yashasvi Jaiswal also departed after offering a return catch to Mitchell Starc (3/40), who was making his maiden appearance in this IPL.
- Rajasthan were reduced to 12 for two early on, a position that underlines the challenge faced by any out-of-form batter.
- Parag showed nerves against Starc initially, with loose drives that failed to settle his rhythm.
The turning point came when confidence returned. In the sixth over, Parag took Jamieson apart through a sequence of 6, 4, 6—pulling over mid-wicket and cutting over slips—to shift the momentum decisively.
Once Parag found his footing, the audacity and quick hands that had been missing earlier reappeared in his strokeplay. He struck a “tennis-like” forehand six over covers off left-arm pacer T Natarajan, a shot that underlined his growing control.
- Parag reached his fifty off 32 balls.
- He added 102 runs for the third wicket with Dhruv Jurel (42).
Even after Jurel’s dismissal, Parag kept the pressure on. A short lull followed, but he snapped the lean spell by hitting a hat-trick of boundaries off Jamieson. Parag and Ravindra Jadeja (20) then combined to build 53 runs for the fourth wicket before Jadeja fell to Starc.
Starc struck again to remove Parag as well, with Parag’s attempt to loft over covers ending in Axar Patel’s hands. With the match still alive and Rajasthan needing a few more runs, Donovan Ferreira contributed strongly—finishing with 47 off 14 balls—to help push the Royals to a total that set a clear challenge for Delhi.
Delhi’s chase: Rahul and Nissanka put on an opening show
Delhi Capitals made the ideal start to their chase as Rahul and Nissanka put together a 102-run stand for the first wicket in just 9.3 overs. Rahul began a touch slowly, but once he timed the ball properly, the 34-year-old looked in complete command. His shot selection ranged across the ground, including a cover drive off Nandre Burger, a pull off Jofra Archer, and two consecutive sixes in the “V” off Ravi Bishnoi.
Nissanka complemented him with powerful hitting too, especially through the pull shot. All three of his maximums came in the same style—one off Archer and two off Burger—showing how effectively he was picking the length and finding the right area.
- Delhi’s opening partnership: 102 runs in 9.3 overs.
- Rahul’s key moments included cover drives, a pull, and back-to-back sixes off Ravi Bishnoi.
- Nissanka’s three sixes all came via the pull, with one off Archer and two off Burger.
Rahul reached his fifty in 27 balls, four deliveries quicker than Nissanka. However, Nissanka fell after failing to connect a reverse sweep, handing his wicket to Jadeja.
Momentum shift and the finishing task
After Nissanka’s dismissal, the Capitals kept their momentum rolling. Nissanka’s departure did not slow the scoring rate as the Bengaluru batter’s knock was followed by a productive partnership with Nitish Rana (33). During the stand, both Rana and Rahul fell in quick succession—Rana and Rahul each departing after lofting Archer to Donnovan Ferreira at long on—leaving Delhi needing 49 runs from 26 balls.
For a moment, the chase looked tense, but Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs handled the situation calmly. Their finishing work ensured Delhi Capitals completed what was described as their biggest chase in IPL history, reaching the target with three wickets still standing.
- After Rahul and Rana fell in the same over sequence, Delhi required 49 runs off 26 balls.
- Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs guided the Capitals through the remaining overs.
Points update and match context
With the win, Delhi Capitals moved up to sixth place with eight points. Rajasthan Royals, despite Parag’s big innings, remained in fourth spot with 12 points. Another notable detail from the match was Parag’s hamstring niggle, which kept him off the field for a significant part of the second innings as Delhi went about their chase.
Riyan Parag’s 90, including the explosive bursts off Jamieson and the acceleration alongside Jadeja, had set the stage for Rajasthan’s competitive 225 for six. Yet Rahul and Nissanka’s start, followed by Ashutosh and Stubbs’ control at the end, ensured the Capitals left Jaipur with a seven-wicket victory.
