The race for the IPL 2026 playoffs tightened after Rajasthan Royals were beaten by five wickets by Delhi Capitals in New Delhi on Sunday. RR batted first and posted 193/8 in their 20 overs, with Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag striking half-centuries. In reply, Abishek Porel and KL Rahul built a brilliant opening partnership, and Axar Patel struck with intent as Delhi chased the target with four balls remaining.
Scorecard highlights: RR set 193/8, DC chase successfully
- Rajasthan Royals: 193/8 in 20 overs, paced by half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag.
- Delhi Capitals: chased down the total with four balls to spare.
- Key batting stand: Abishek Porel and KL Rahul produced a strong opening partnership.
- Impact finish: Axar Patel played a fiery innings to help complete the chase.
Points update: both teams set up crunch endgames
- Rajasthan Royals currently sit on 12 points from 12 matches.
- Delhi Capitals currently have 12 points from 13 matches.
- Only RCB have confirmed their place in the playoffs so far.
Playoffs scenarios: how Rajasthan and Delhi can still qualify
How RR can reach the playoffs
Rajasthan’s path is clear: they must win both of their remaining matches, against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians. If they do, their points will rise to 16 from 14 games.
Even then, the tie becomes a multi-team equation. If Sunrisers Hyderabad win one of their two remaining matches, and Chennai Super Kings win both of their last two, while Gujarat Titans lose their final game, all three teams would finish on 16 points. In that situation, Net Run Rate (NRR) would determine who qualifies.
If RR manage only one win from their two remaining fixtures, they would finish on 14 points. That would require PBKS, CSK, DC and KKR to lose their remaining matches. If other sides also reach the 14-point mark, qualification would again fall back on NRR.
How DC can qualify after the win
For Delhi Capitals, the situation is straightforward. They need to win their final league match against KKR, and then they will rely on other results to go in their favour. NRR is also expected to be a deciding factor if the points scenario tightens further.
Riyan Parag on the turning point after RR’s solid start
After the defeat, Riyan Parag reflected on where RR fell short. He said that they were in a good position after 14 overs, but once he got out, the team failed to capitalise on that platform. Parag added that the innings likely needed to reach something around 220–230, before turning to the bowling effort.
He felt the bowling unit was not “up to the mark” and addressed the decision-making around a particular bowler choice. Parag explained that while it may look like a gamble on television, the presence of two left-hand batters meant they preferred to bowl Donovan rather than have Shanaka bowl another over. He concluded that the plan did not quite work out.
“Pretty much everything, actually. We were in a pretty good space after 14 overs. After I got out, we didn’t capitalise on that. It was… It had to be 220-230, something like that. And as far as the bowling is concerned, I think we were just weren’t there. We weren’t up to the mark. Ferreira wasn’t a gamble. I know on TV it looks like a gamble, but then you’ve got two left-handers. I’d rather bowl Donovan, take a chance, than get Shanaka to bowl another over. Didn’t really work out,” Parag said.
