JAIPUR: What promised to be an attention-grabbing duel between Mitchell Starc and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ended up feeling like a missed cue in the IPL 2026 match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday. The build-up had revolved around Starc’s first outing of the season and the idea of a head-to-head with the young talent, but the contest never quite turned into the marquee confrontation spectators expected. Sooryavanshi’s stay lasted only until the second over, when Kyle Jamieson struck to dismiss him before he even got the chance to face Starc.
Rajasthan skipper Riyan Parag chose to bat first after winning the toss, yet that decision quickly looked like a tactical misstep as Delhi’s pace unit struck early. The Royals did see some early intent, but the opening spells set the tone for a match where the spotlight shifted away from Starc and onto Jamieson.
Early drama, but no marquee duel
Starc was handed the new ball for Delhi and was immediately put under pressure by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The opener launched the very first delivery he saw for a six, signalling that the Royals would not be intimidated. But the Australian seamer responded with control and precision, ensuring the momentum did not swing too far in Rajasthan’s favour.
In the same over, Starc produced a full toss aimed at the middle that caught Jaiswal off guard. Trying to swing through the line, the batter mistimed the shot, and the ball went straight back to the bowler. Starc completed a straightforward caught-and-bowled to register his first wicket of the season, removing Jaiswal for 6 off just 3 balls.
At the other end, Sooryavanshi initially looked comfortable, striking a boundary off his first ball against Jamieson. The promising start, however, lasted only a moment. On the very next delivery, a dipping low full toss slipped beneath his bat and clipped the pad before deflecting onto the stumps. Sooryavanshi was gone for 4 off 2 balls, leaving Rajasthan’s young challenge extinguished almost as quickly as it had begun.
Jamieson steals the momentum
While Starc’s return had been the headline before the match, Jamieson ultimately proved to be the decisive factor in the opening phase. By getting rid of Sooryavanshi before the much-discussed clash could take shape, the New Zealand pacer effectively closed the door on the biggest subplot of the day.
With both of Rajasthan’s aggressive openers back in the pavilion within the first two overs, Delhi’s revamped bowling attack made an immediate statement. Starc’s comeback injected intensity, but it was Jamieson’s timely breakthrough that truly defined the early momentum, leaving the Royals chasing answers rather than building a platform.
