Delhi Capitals returned to winning ways with a comfortable win over the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Chasing 226 to win, KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka smashed half-centuries to lay the foundations of the chase. Earlier, Riyan Parag struck 90 while Donovan Ferriera smashed 47 but it wasn't enough for the Royals.
Parag's statement knock
A day after being copped a 25% fine for vaping in the dressing room, Riyan Parag turned around his fortunes in IPL 2026. The RR captain had a lean run so far in the tournament but returned among the runs in a stunning batting display.
Having lost Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi early, it was Parag who held the RR innings together, stroking a fluent 90. He looked set for a ton but was dismissed trying to up the scoring rate.
Donovan Ferreira, traded from DC to RR, reminded his old employers of his hitting prowers with a powerful 14-ball 47 to guide the hosts to a commanding 225/6.
Rahul takes Orange Cap, Nissanka finally performs
The Capitals got their record-breaking chase off to a flyer as KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka dismantled the bowling attack with a 102-run opening stand in just 9.3 overs. While Nissanka utilized the pull shot to hammer three sixes, Rahul overcame a slow start to produce a sublime display of stroke-making, reaching his half-century in 27 balls and punctuating his knock with imperious straight sixes off Ravi Bishnoi.
The momentum continued even after Nissanka fell attempting a reverse sweep, as Rahul anchored a 61-run partnership with Nitish Rana. However, a sudden double-strike saw both set batters depart in the space of six balls—Rahul falling for a well-made fifty after lofting Jofra Archer to long-on—leaving the Capitals with a tricky 49 runs required from the final 26 deliveries.
Despite the late tension, Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs remained composed to finish the job clinically. Their aggressive late-order cameo ensured the Capitals crossed the finish line with time to spare, successfully pulling off the franchise's highest-ever successful run chase in IPL history.
