Mitchell Starc and KL Rahul power Delhi Capitals to a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, keeping their top-four hopes alive.
Mitchell Starc made a statement in his first IPL 2026 appearance of the season, and Delhi Capitals rode that momentum to a crucial win over Rajasthan Royals that keeps the play-off chase firmly on.
Delhi batted first, with Starc delivering the breakthroughs that mattered most.. He removed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja and Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag, turning key moments into turning points for DC.. Even with the Royal side in an aggressive rhythm late on. Rajasthan still ended up posting 225-6. driven by a late surge rather than a single spell.
In the background, the match also offered a reminder of how unforgiving Twenty20 can be for young players, as a quick dismissal early disrupted what could have been a brighter start.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan’s innings found its edge through Donovan Ferreira, whose rapid finishing included multiple sixes in a short burst. That kind of late acceleration reshapes totals in IPL cricket, forcing chasing teams to adjust their plans and not waste the powerplay phase.
The reply began exactly as DC would want, led by Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul.. Their century stand built a platform that left Rajasthan scrambling for wickets at the moments they needed them.. Rahul’s 75 eventually came to an end when Jofra Archer struck. bringing the equation down to a manageable chase with plenty still left in the tank.
Insight: This is why partnership control matters in the IPL. When a chase starts with structure, even strong late-hitting from the opposition becomes easier to counter.
Nitish Rana added momentum with quick hitting, and the chase stayed on course through Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma. Delhi sealed the result with seven wickets in hand and five balls to spare, turning a slim top-four opportunity into something more tangible.
Insight: Wins like this travel beyond the points table. They also shape confidence, especially for teams balancing pressure with emerging form during the season’s most decisive stretch.