RR vs DC Highlights, IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals get back to winning ways, beat Rajasthan by 7 wickets

A clash of giants - Just the one game on Saturday, 2nd May, but it is a heavyweight clash. Chennai Super Kings will take on their familiar foes, Mumbai Indians, in Chennai, with both sides looking to turn their campaigns around. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), and as always, our build-up will be up and running well before that. See you then. Cheers!

What's next for these two teams? With this win, the Delhi Capitals snap their three-game losing streak and move to 4 wins from 9 games. They will now look to build momentum, especially with two home games coming up. First up, they host the Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, 5th May. As for the Rajasthan Royals, they will feel they haven't quite capitalised on a strong start to the season. After winning their first four games, they have managed just two wins in their next six. They now head into a break, with their next fixture on Saturday, 9th May in Jaipur against the Gujarat Titans.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - For his stunning knock of 75 runs from 40 balls, KL Rahul wins the award. Rahul also slips on the Orange Cap. He says that at the end of the day, they play the sport to win. Adds that after playing this game for so many years, numbers and records do matter, but you always want the W next to your name. Rahul mentions that despite the result, the dressing room has always been positive and they try to keep it balanced. They had a few chats to see where things were going wrong or if they were making any blunders, but it was just about winning the key moments. Except for the last game, they have been in the contest for the rest of them, and it was about getting over the line. Rahul shares that while batting with Nissanka, they just remind each other of playing proper cricket shots. Cheekily says that he would have liked to play a few more balls in the Powerplay, but was happy to see Pathum smashing it all around. According to him, the most pleasing thing for him this season has been his strike rate, which was a talking point for a few years. He ends by saying that he has worked hard on it and is glad that he is doing what his team requires and what modern T20 cricket requires.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel shares that he is very happy with how the boys played. Tells that he can't ask for more as a captain when plans are executed with the ball.  Axar mentions that the team is delighted to have Mitchell Starc back, and says he showed exactly why he is regarded as a legend with the way he bowled tonight, especially coming back from an injury layoff. When asked about the last-ball catch attempt where Axar hurt his left hand, he says everything is fine now, and the physios have iced it. Ends by dedicating the win to the two DC fans who lost their lives in a tragic accident.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Let's hear from DC's ace speedster - Mitchell Starc says that it's nice to get the cobwebs out. Adds that it was good to get some training in and running in the legs. It's a nice return for him, spending time with the group and contributing towards the win. Mentions that he has been gradually getting his rhythm, but did not bowl to a batter until recently. Starc shares that in T20 cricket, you have to adjust to the pace of the game. He feels in a good place, trusting his skill, and this game was a good reminder of the tempo of the game. Says that there are a few niggles, but that is part of being a fast bowler. You just have to keep going, and it's the nature of the job.

Words from the RR skipper - Riyan Parag says that it was a good score. He felt that around 200 was a par score on this wicket. Mentions that they didn't bowl well in the middle overs and conceded too many boundaries. Shares that as 8-9 overs were still left, they wanted to take the game deep before bringing in Ferreira, but not much to think about that decision. Parag says that he doesn't need to answer any critics, his job is to get two points, and his knock doesn't matter if his team lose. Ends by saying that hopefully it is not a serious injury, it is a hamstring issue, but they have got a week off, so they will see how it goes.

Not the usual Jaipur wicket - That is what Riyan Parag felt when he opted to bat first, expecting the surface to slow down. The home side found themselves in unfamiliar territory, losing both openers inside the first two overs. Parag stepped up with his side in need, and his 102-run stand with Dhruv Jurel helped RR recover strongly from that early setback. With the platform set, many expected Donovan Ferreira to walk in, but it was Ravindra Jadeja who came out ahead of him. That raised a few eyebrows, but Ferreira still made an impact. His blistering 47* off just 14 balls powered RR to 225.

Capitals boss the chase - It was going to be a challenge upfront for the DC openers against the likes of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, but they passed that test with flying colours. Pathum Nissanka was the aggressor in the Powerplay, unleashing shots square of the wicket, before KL Rahul took charge against the spinners in the middle phase. Their 110-run stand laid the perfect foundation for the chase. After Nissanka’s departure, Nitish Rana walked in with intent and took the pressure off Rahul. Both Rahul and Rana fell in quick succession, which gave RR a glimmer of hope, but Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs saw it through without any further hiccups.

A much-needed win for the Delhi Capitals - Coming off the back of two morale-crushing defeats, the Capitals desperately needed a response and pulling off their highest successful run chase in the league's history is one way to make a statement. Riyan Parag had expected the wicket to slow down, but that never quite happened. The ball came on nicely, and the RR bowling unit lacked penetration. After winning four games in a row to kickstart the campaign, the Royals have since blown hot and cold.

19.2: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, That's the game! DELHI CAPITALS WIN BY 7 WICKETS with 5 balls to spare. Brijesh Sharma bowls a very high full toss, on middle. Ashutosh Sharma swings at it, and the ball lobs up towards the leg side as the batters cross. It is also called a No Ball for the ball being over the waist of the batter. The Capitals finally snap their losing streak.

19.1: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Short of a length and outside off, slower as well. Ashutosh Sharma waits for it and smashes it over extra cover for a boundary.

Brijesh Sharma to bowl the final over. Wicketless so far and gone for 30 runs in his 3 overs.

18.6: Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! That should be the game for DC! Jofra Archer serves this full, on middle and leg. Tristan Stubbs flicks it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Ravi Bishnoi initially runs forward but fails to judge the flight of the ball. He then moves to his right, but it is too late as the ball bounces to the fence for a boundary. Archer is not happy with that effort. Just 5 needed in the final over.

18.5: Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, Hard length and on middle and leg, Ashutosh Sharma gets rushed and forces it down to long on for just one. He wants the second but is sent back.

18.4: Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Another fine yorker, on leg, Tristan Stubbs jams it out to long on for a run.

18.3: Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Jofra Archer delivers the perfect yorker, on middle, Tristan Stubbs gets his bat down in time and can only dig it down the pitch.

18.2: Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller and on middle, Tristan Stubbs flicks it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 11 needed in 10 now!

18.1: Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, A high full toss, angling into the leg side. Ashutosh Sharma looks to heave it away but miscues it high in the air. However, it lands well wide of deep square leg and the batters take a single.

Jofra Archer (3-0-37-1) to bowl the penultimate over with DC needing 14 runs off 12 balls. Can Archer take the game to the final over?

17.6: Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, Low full toss, angling into the pads, Ashutosh Sharma clips it to deep mid-wicket for one more. 16 runs off the over!

17.5: Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, Nails the yorker now, on middle, Tristan Stubbs digs it out to the left of mid on for one.

17.5: Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, WIDE! And again! Spills this full and way outside off, Tristan Stubbs happily leaves it alone. 16 needed in 14 now.

17.5: Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, WIDE! Hard length but outside off, over the tramline, Tristan Stubbs lets it go.

17.4: Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, SIX! That brings down the equation much in favour of DC now! Tushar Deshpande misses his yorker but Tristan Stubbs does not miss out. A full toss, on off. Stubbs with an excellent follow-through smokes it over the long on fence for a biggie.

17.3: Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, In the blockhole, outside off, Ashutosh Sharma squeezes it out to deep point for a single.

Halt! The physio comes out for the concussion check. Ashutosh Sharma looks unflustered. Even before the check is complete, he has put the helmet back on. Sharma is ready to continue.

17.2: Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, Ouch! A low full toss, around off, Ashutosh Sharma gets down across for the scoop, but the ball goes off the face of the bat straight into the grill of the helmet.

17.1: Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! 200 UP FOR DC! Tushar Deshpande tries the wide yorker but just misses it, outside off. Ashutosh Sharma lets the ball come to him, opens the face of the bat and using the pace, he glides it past short third for a boundary.

17.1: Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, WIDE! Fuller but way outside off, Ashutosh Sharma backs away a bit and leaves it alone. Wided.

Danny Morrison informs on air that Ravindra Jadeja is off the park due to an ankle issue. Tushar Deshpande (3-0-22-1) has been brought back. Can he conjure something special in his final over?

16.6: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, Back of a length and outside off, slower as well, Ashutosh Sharma stabs it out through extra covers for one. 30 needed in the last three overs!

Oh, no! One of the floodlight towers has gone off. Yashasvi Jaiswal takes the break in play as an opportunity to have a chat with the bowler. The light tower is back up and running. We are all good to resume.

16.5: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! Gets it away! Brijesh Sharma attempts the yorker again, but bowls a low full toss, on middle, tailing in. Ashutosh Sharma gets down and across to get inside the line of it to paddle it past short fine for a boundary.

16.4: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, Hard length and on off, Ashutosh Sharma opens the face of his bat and guides it through point for a brace.

16.4: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, WIDE! Again bowls this full but down the leg, Ashutosh Sharma lets it go. Called a wide again.

16.3: Brijesh Sharma to Tristan Stubbs, Slower again, full and on middle, Tristan Stubbs works it towards long on for another run.

16.3: Brijesh Sharma to Tristan Stubbs, WIDE! Brijesh Sharma tries the yorker but spills it down the leg side, Tristan Stubbs fails to get any bat on it. If he had, it could have been a boundary. 

16.2: Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, Pace off, short of a length and outside off, Ashutosh Sharma waits for it and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

16.1: Brijesh Sharma to Tristan Stubbs, Low full toss, on leg, Tristan Stubbs drills it down to long on for a single.

Brijesh Sharma is back. 2-0-18-0 so far for Brijesh.

15.6: Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! Much-needed for DC! Archer just errs in line and serves this full, drifting into the pads. Ashutosh Sharma picks it up and whips it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 44 needed off 24.

15.5: Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, Full again and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma drills it to the left of the bowler, where Jofra Archer stops it well on the follow-through.

15.4: Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Full and wide on off, Stubbs extends his hands and eases the drive towards extra cover. It is cut off with a slide. Just a single.

15.3: Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, Nearly sneaked through! A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a length, on off and middle. Sharma pushes out in front with a straight bat. Ekes out an inside edge through mid-wicket for one.

15.3: Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, Wide! Banged in short, over middle. Ashutosh Sharma ducks under it. Too high for the umpire's liking.

KL Rahul admonishes himself as he trudges off. Two new batters at the crease and RR have an opening. Ashutosh Sharma comes out to bat.

15.2: Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, OUT! TAKEN! Jofra Archer strikes gold on his return, and once again, we see a wicket fall right after the break. Pitched up and on middle, there to be hit. KL Rahul clears his front leg to hit it over long on but his bat twists in his hands. He miscues the shot towards long on, where Donovan Ferreira settles under it and takes a fine catch. A superb knock from Rahul, but he will be kicking himself for getting out at the wrong time. 49 needed off 28 balls.

15.1: Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, FOUR! Great effort in the deep but it goes in vain! Fuller delivery, on off, KL Rahul looks to loft it away but his bottom hand comes off the bat. It flies wide of deep extra cover, where Ravi Bishnoi covers a long way to his right and dives to push the ball back inside. However, the spin on the ball takes it towards the rope, and Dasun Shanaka, who runs from long off to help, grabs it, but not before the ball touches the ropes.

Strategic Break! Delhi Capitals will feel like they are ahead in the chase, and as long as KL Rahul is out there, they will be confident of getting the remaining runs. It has been a nicely calculated chase from DC so far, but they have to get over the line, which has been the hardest part for them this season. Rajasthan Royals will be looking to get rid of Rahul and put pressure on the middle order, and with Miller not playing, they can make a game out of this one, but they have to pick up wickets. Jofra Archer to bowl after the break. Dasun Shanaka has come as a substitute.

14.6: Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, Excellent execution. Gets the yorker in, on middle. KL digs it out to wide long on and picks up a single. A wicket and 7 runs off the over.

14.5: Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, Low full toss, on the pads. Stubbs flicks it through square leg and crosses over.

14.4: Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, Full and on off, that is driven straight back but it is stopped by Tushar Deshpande.

A fantastic review from RR, and they break the threatening partnership. Tristan Stubbs comes out to the middle now.

14.3: Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Rajasthan Royals get the review right. Wide yorker, flirting with the tramline. Rana drops his bat down on the ball but is beaten on the outside edge. Dhruv Jurel gathers it and goes up in an appeal, as does the bowler. Turned down by the umpire. There was a noise, but it seemed to be of the bat hitting the turf. Yashasvi Jaiswal is acting as the stand-in skipper in the absence of Riyan Parag. He has a word with the keeper and takes the review. There is a spike when the ball is next to the bat on the UltraEdge. It is only after the ball went past the blade that the bat made contact with the ground. The on-field decision is overturned, much to the delight of the RR camp. DC are 171/2, needing 55 runs in 33 balls.

14.2: Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, Fuller and on middle, Rahul hits it down to long off for a single.

14.1: Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone! Deshpande tries to follow KL as he backs away. This is a length ball, outside the leg stump. Rahul looks to go up and over cover but is beaten on the outside edge. The ball sneaks past the leg pole and Dhruv Jurel is beaten to his left despite the dive.

13.6: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, Tight single! Low full toss, outside off, Rahul reaches out and knocks it in front of mid off before hustling to the other end. 18 runs off the over. 60 runs needed from 36 balls.

13.5: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, Full and outside off, KL cracks the drive but can't get it past extra cover.

13.4: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, SIX! Beautifully picked up! Burger switches to around the wicket and tries to cramp KL for room. Nandre ends up being too straight and dishes it out full in length. Rahul gets the front leg out of the way and whips it over square leg for a six. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

13.3: Nandre Burger to Nitish Rana, Full and at the sticks at 142.1 kph, Nitish backs away, exposing all three stumps to drill it away on the off side. Mishits it off the inner half to long on for one.

13.2: Nandre Burger to Nitish Rana, FOUR! Nicely done! Tighter line, on the off stump, on a good length. Rana anticipates the line and shuffles inside the line. He shovels it to the right of short fine leg and picks up a boundary.

13.1: Nandre Burger to Nitish Rana, SIX! That is a lovely shot. Burger dishes it out on a length, on off. Rana is allowed to free his arms and with a clean swing of the arms, he goes inside out over extra cover for a biggie.

12.6: Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, Rana was gone had the throw hit. Full and on middle, this is firmly driven to mid off. Nitish sets off immediately after playing the shot. A clean pick-up by Yashasvi Jaiswal before firing a throw at the bowling end. He misses and Rana gets away with it. Tushar Deshpande should have gotten up to the stumps quickly there but was not alert to the situation.

12.5: Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, Tushar keeps it nice and full, not allowing Rahul to get under the ball. KL swings hard to force it away on the off side. Miscues it off the inner half to wide mid on for a run.

12.4: Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, Direct hit! Nails the yorker, does Deshpande, on the off pole. KL jams it out in front of mid off and scampers across for a quick single. There is a direct hit at the bowling end but Rahul is home. The ball deflects off the stumps towards wide mid on, allowing the batters to run one more.

12.3: Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, Fuller delivery on the leg stump line, Nitish Rana steps across to flick but misses, as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken. Deshpande appeals for the LBW and looks very interested but it is turned down. 

12.2: Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, FOUR! Cleverly done! Tushar Deshpande bangs this into the pitch, slower as well, around off. Nitish Rana lets the ball go behind him, before upper-cutting it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

12.1: Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, Right in the blockhole, on middle, angling in, KL Rahul tucks it away through square leg for a single.

Tushar Deshpande is back on.

11.6: Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, FOUR! A productive over for DC. 18 runs off it. Jadeja tries to push it across the left-hander. Keeps it around the tramline and the length is full. Rana walks across the stumps and extends his hands to smack it wide of deep extra cover for a boundary.

11.5: Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, Across off, on a length, Rana reaches out in front for the sweep but fails to roll his wrists over the ball and misses to get rapped on the front pad.

11.4: Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, Full and on off, Rahul pushes it wide of cover for a single.

11.3: Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, SIX! All the way! This is dropped short by Jadeja, outside off, Rahul walks across a bit and spanks it with a horizontal bat towards long on. Jofra Archer is a few metres in off the ropes and just watches the ball sail over his head without making an attempt.

11.2: Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, Full and around leg, Nitish clips it in front of deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

11.1: Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, SIX! Have some of that, says Nitish. Fired in, full and on middle. Rana sinks to a knee and nails the slog sweep way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Riyan Parag is off the field at the moment. He is receiving some treatment from the physio for cramps.

10.6: Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, FIFTY FOR RAHUL! His 3rd half century of the season to go with an unbeaten 152. Full and attacking the sticks, KL swings a bit too hard and loses his shape in the process. Gets it off the inner half of the bat to the left of long on for a brace. After playing the second fiddle to Pathum Nissanka in the Powerplay, he has picked up pace in the middle phase, and DC need him to keep going.

10.5: Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, Very full, in line with the off pole. Nitish digs it out to the left of backward point and crosses over.

10.4: Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, At pace, full and straight, this is drilled to long on for a single.

10.3: Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, Pace off and into the surface, angled in at the leg stump. This does not rise much and Rana smears it through mid-wicket for a single.

10.2: Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, Full and outside off, Rana gets his hands through and cracks the drive through covers. Yashasvi Jaiswal at deep point moves to his left and dives to cut it off. Two runs taken.

10.1: Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, Missed out! From around the wicket, short and wide on off. Rana reaches out and flashes at it but fails to connect.

Halfway through the chase. DC have knocked off half the target and need another 113 runs. Brijesh Sharma has been brought back.

9.6: Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, Another short delivery, on middle and leg, Nitish Rana tucks it through mid-wicket for one more. A wicket and just 5 runs off the over!

9.5: Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, Shorter once more, outside off, KL Rahul cuts it through cover-point for one.

9.4: Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, Slows it up, shortish and on middle, Nitish Rana nudges it towards mid-wicket for another run.

A much-needed breakthrough for the home side. Nitish Rana comes out to the middle.

9.3: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! LBW! Ravindra Jadeja breaks the massive opening stand. He fires this one full and straight, attacking the stumps. Pathum Nissanka gets down on one knee, attempting the reverse sweep, but this is too full for that shot and the ball goes under the bat to hit the pad. There is a big shout for LBW, and the finger goes up. However, Nissanka takes the review after a chat with his partner, as Rahul thinks the impact may have been outside off. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the off stump. End of a fine knock from the Lankan, and DC are 110/1, chasing 226 runs.

9.2: Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, Short again and outside off, KL Rahul punches it towards extra cover. Riyan Parag dives to his left but fails to stop it cleanly. They cross.

9.1: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, short and around off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to long off for a single.

8.6: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, SIX! A majestic hit! Ravi Bishnoi serves this much quicker, full and on middle. KL Rahul moves a bit to the leg side to free his arms. He hits it straight as an arrow, dispatching it over the bowler's head for half a dozen more. 20 runs off the over.

8.5: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Shorter in length and outside off, KL Rahul reaches out and slaps it away wide of sweeper cover, where Tushar Deshpande dives to his left to save a couple of runs for his side.

8.4: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. KL Rahul backs away a bit, bends his back knee and launches it high and handsomely over the long on fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR DC.

8.3: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, A googly, full and turning into leg, KL Rahul tucks it with soft hands through square leg and calls for the second. Pathum Nissanka responds, and the throw is at his end, but he puts in a good dive to make his ground.

8.2: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Flatter, short and on off, KL Rahul tries to hit it too hard and stabs it to extra cover.

8.1: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up, full and around off, KL Rahul extends his arms to reach out for it, hits through the line and lifts it wide of long off for a boundary.

7.6: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! There's that boundary! Ravindra Jadeja goes shorter and just outside off. Pathum Nissanka fetches it out from there and swats it between deep mid-wicket and long on for four runs. 138 runs needed from 72 balls.

7.5: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, Slows it up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it away to extra cover.

7.4: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, Short again and on middle, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal moves quickly to his left and bends low to cut it off. Two more taken.

7.3: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, Dragged back and outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace.

7.2: Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, Flatter, full and around off, KL Rahul drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

7.1: Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, Short and wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka stabs it out through extra covers for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A solid response so far in the chase from the Delhi Capitals, with Pathum Nissanka leading the charge. They have so far kept up with the required run rate, but can they sustain this through the middle phase of the innings against RR's spin attack? Riyan Parag had expected the pitch to slow down, but there are no real signs of that just yet. Pace on has been easier to hit through the line, and the discussion in the RR camp during this break will likely revolve around mixing up their variations and taking the pace off the ball. Karun Nair is padded up and has the helmet on. We could see him come as DC's Impact Sub. Ravindra Jadeja to bowl after the break.

6.6: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, FOUR! That spoils the over a bit! Ravi Bishnoi drops it short and around middle. KL Rahul picks up the length early, transfers his weight on the back foot and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

6.5: Ravi Bishnoi to Pathum Nissanka, Another short delivery, on leg, Pathum Nissanka nudges it through mid-wicket for just one as Ravindra Jadeja is quick to run forward from the deep.

6.4: Ravi Bishnoi to Pathum Nissanka, Dragged back, on middle, skids through, Pathum Nissanka moves back to pull but gets a bottom edge onto the pitch.

6.3: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Goes short and on the pads, KL Rahul flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for another run.

6.2: Ravi Bishnoi to Pathum Nissanka, Quicker, full and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it to backward square leg for a run.

6.1: Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Flatter and shorter, on middle, KL Rahul punches it to long on for a single.

Spin straight away after the Powerplay. Ravi Bishnoi to roll his arm over.

5.6: Brijesh Sharma to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! A fantastic knock to bring up his first half-century of the season on his return to the side. He gets there in just 23 balls, but knows the job is not done here. Brijesh Sharma bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Pathum Nissanka is untroubled as he swivels and heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. DC are 70/0 after 6 overs.

5.5: Brijesh Sharma to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka stays back and pulls it away wide of deep square leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal runs to his left and dives to make a good stop, keeping it down to two runs.

5.4: Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, Short of a length and on middke, KL Rahul backs away a bit and stabs it towards mid off for a quick single.

5.3: Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, FOUR! Excellent shot! Brijesh Sharma bowls a half-volley, pace on and on off. KL Rahul gets his hands through the drive and creams it between extra cover and mid off for a boundary.

5.2: Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, Four dots in a row now for DC! Takes pace off, good length and on off, KL Rahul pushes it back to the bowler.

5.1: Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, Fuller delivery, around off, KL Rahul drives it well but straight towards mid off.

4.6: Tushar Deshpande to Pathum Nissanka, Deshpande takes pace off, on a short of a length, on off. Pathum goes hard on the pull but scuffs his shot to mid-wicket.

4.5: Tushar Deshpande to Pathum Nissanka, Full and attacking the sticks, this is turned to mid-wicket.

4.4: Tushar Deshpande to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Easy pickings! Deshpande errs in both line and length. Low full toss, on the pads. Nissanka just swings it away past short fine leg to pick up a boundary.

4.3: Tushar Deshpande to Pathum Nissanka, Another couple! Pace off and at the pads again, Nissanka clips this length ball through square leg and comes back for the second before the deep fielder can get to the ball.

4.2: Tushar Deshpande to Pathum Nissanka, Full and straying on the pads. Nissanka brings his wrists into play and flicks it to the left of deep square leg for a brace.

4.1: Tushar Deshpande to Pathum Nissanka, The 50 is up for Delhi. Low full toss, on leg. Nissanka shovels it off the pads behind square leg. A slight fumble in the deep by Ravi Bishnoi allows the batters to sneak in the second run.

Change? Yes, the Impact Sub, Tushar Deshpande comes into the attack now.

3.6: Nandre Burger to Pathum Nissanka, Hits the deck hard, on top of off. Nissanka chops it down in front of point and keeps the strike with a single.

3.5: Nandre Burger to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! Dispatched with disdain! Burger bashes the surface but this sits up to be hit, over off. This is below the waist and Nissanka climbs all over it. Pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for six more.

3.4: Nandre Burger to Pathum Nissanka, Just outside the off stump, on a good length, Pathum firms the drive but can't beat cover-point.

3.3: Nandre Burger to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller and on off, Nissanka knocks it to mid off.

3.2: Nandre Burger to Pathum Nissanka, On a back of a length, outside off, Nissanka gets on top of it and punches it to the right of deep backward point for a couple of runs.

3.1: Nandre Burger to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! BANG! That sounded so sweet. At 146 kph, on a length. Pathum fights the angle of the ball going across him. Swats it away with ease over backward square leg and parks it many rows back into the stands.

2.6: Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, A big swing and a miss! Archer delivers it on a short of a good length, over off. An uncharacteristic heave across the line by KL and he fails to connect. The bounce takes the ball over the sticks.

2.5: Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, SIX! That is a shot and a half from KL Rahul. Archer attempts the short ball but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. In line with the off stump and it comes at waist height. KL swivels and plays the pull. He just checks his shot and it still travels all the way over square leg.

2.4: Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Hits the hard length, on off. KL rises with the bounce and stabs it down on the off side.

2.3: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, In and around the off pole, on a nagging length, Pathum taps it in front of mid off and hurries to the other end.

2.2: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Clever, very clever! Honing in on the off stump, scrambled seam ball, on a good length. Nissanka hops away from the line of the ball and uses the pace of Archer. Steers it with an open bat face past backward point to pick up a boundary.

The physio is in for the mandatory concussion check. He is asking a few questions to Pathum Nissanka, who has a smile on his face while answering, which is a good sign. We are set to resume now.

2.1: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Yep, Jofra, we are baffled too. How has it gone to the ropes? Archer bends his back and slips in the bumper, over off, Nissanka pivots on the back foot for the pull and takes his eyes off a bit as he swings across the line. The ball catches the top edge and pings the Sri Lankan on the helmet. It deflects behind the square on the off side and races through the gap between backward point and short third.

1.6: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, FOUR! Rahul takes the aerial route! This is a on a good length, going away from the over-the-wicket angle. Rahul lets his hands flow into the lofted hit and goes over extra cover for a lovely boundary.

1.5: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, Slightly fuller, around the off pole, Rahul plays a punchy drive on the up to mid off.

1.4: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, A ripper from Burger! This leaves KL, on a short of a good length. Rahul has a fiddle at it before withdrawing his bat.

1.3: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, Oh, that could have gone back onto the stumps. Pushed across the batter, fractionally short, Rahul goes hard on the cut but chops it down off an under edge, and it bounces wide of the off pole.

1.2: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, Moving away a bit off the seam, on a short of a length, on off. KL gets behind the line and blocks it off.

1.1: Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, FOUR! A clip off the pads and Rahul is away! Too straight from Burger, at the hips, on a back of a length. KL hops and helps it to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Nandre Burger to bowl from the other end.

0.6: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, Good riposte from Archer. Dishes out a bumper at 140.9 kph, over off. Nissanka tries to take it on, but the ball climbs onto him and sails over his blade. 11 runs off the first over of the chase.

0.5: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! Nicely picked up! Seam-up ball, drifting onto the pads. on a length. Nissanka just uses the angle and plays the pick-up shot off the pads. It sails way over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

0.4: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Up and over! Archer bowls it fuller in length, on off. A clean swing of the arms by Pathum to launch it over mid on. One bounce and over the ropes for the first boundary of the chase.

0.4: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, Wide! A bit of a shimmy towards the leg side from Nissanka. Archer tries to follow him but sprays it down leg. Pathum swings at it but misses. DC are on the board with this extra.

0.3: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, Brings the stumps into play now, does Archer. A good-length delivery, shaping back in, Nissanka stabs it down with a straight bat. Three dots in a row.

0.2: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, Slightly shorter, outside off. Pathum gets on his toes to force it through the off side. Ends up chopping it down in front of cover. A bit of yes and no between the batters but they eventually decide against taking the single.

0.1: Jofra Archer to Pathum Nissanka, Archer is right on the money! Hurls it on a good length first up at 145.2 kph, just outside the off stump. Nissanka hangs back and angles it down to backward point.

We are back for the chase! The two openers for Delhi Capitals - Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul make their way out to the middle now. Riyan Parag leads his troops as they spread out and take their respective field positions.  The Royals had the option of bringing in Adam Milne, but they have opted to bring in Tushar Deshpande as the Impact Sub, replacing Shubham Dubey. It will be Jofra Archer starting proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Bright start fades away - Delhi Capitals started perfectly, with Mitchell Starc striking early and Kyle Jamieson removing the dangerous youngster, but they just could not build on it and kept leaking runs from both ends. Axar Patel chipped in during the middle overs and was the only one with an economy of under 10. Starc’s double strike in the 17th offered a brief opening, but what followed was pure carnage as Donovan Ferreira, a player they traded away, returned to haunt them with a brutal late blitz that swung the momentum completely. Now chasing a record total to snap their losing streak, the Capitals can take some confidence from SRH’s big chase at this venue, but without Miller, their batters will need to step up big time.

A quick chat - Dhruv Jurel says it is pleasing to see everyone contributing, which is a great sign for the team. Feels confident that the bowling unit can defend this total. Mentions that it’s a long tournament and the key is to assess conditions quickly. Jurel feels that it is a good wicket with the ball coming on well, and they were targeting around 50-60 in the Powerplay. Dhruv also highlights that the team had been waiting for a knock like this from Riyan Parag, and believes it will help them going forward in the season.

Parag and Ferreira shine - Rajasthan Royals were jolted early, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cheaply and suddenly in unfamiliar territory. Skipper Riyan Parag then stepped up in style, leading the recovery alongside Dhruv Jurel with a crucial 102-run stand that reset the innings. He made it look effortless, striking a fluent 90 off 50, though he might feel he left a few out there. Jurel played the perfect supporting role, while Ravindra Jadeja added a handy cameo. The real move, though, was holding Donovan Ferreira back for the Kuldeep Yadav match-up, but he flipped the script. He came in and went berserk, smashing three sixes off Kuldeep and taking on Starc as well, finishing with a blistering 47* off 14 to power the Royals past the 220-run mark.

Royals finish with a flurry - Incredible display of power-hitting from Donovan Ferreira as Rajasthan Royals finish on a high, smashing 63 runs in the last four overs. Delhi Capitals just could not nail their plans at the death yet again, an area that has troubled them all season, and now they have a mountain to climb.

19.6: T Natarajan to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Axar Patel tips it over. To make matters worse, he has also hurt himself. Low full toss, angling away from over the wicket, Donovan gets low and gets his hands through the ball to swing through the line. Axar at long off leaps and sticks out his left hand but the ball hits him on the wrist and it drops beyond the ropes. 18 runs off the final over. RR finish with 225/6.

19.5: T Natarajan to Donovan Ferreira, Well bowled! Across off, sneaking just inside the tramline, pace off and on a shortish length, Donovan lets it go. The umpire is happy with the height, and Ferreira opts not to review.

19.4: T Natarajan to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! All the way! Natarajan errs while going for the yorker. A low full toss, going across. Ferreira hangs low and takes it on the full before dumping it over long off with a cross-bat. The long off fielder seemed to be in business for a moment, but eventually watched it sail over his head. The cheerleaders beyond the fence were ducking for cover, and one of them just about managed to evade it.

19.3: T Natarajan to Donovan Ferreira, FOUR! In the gap! Slower, short ball, outside off. Ferreira gets his hands out in front and rises on his toes. He is early into the pull but manages to drag the shot to the left of deep square leg for a four.

19.2: T Natarajan to Jofra Archer, Archer brings Ferreira back on strike. At the base of the off pole, a yorker, Archer jams it out through mid-wicket for a single.

19.1: T Natarajan to Shubham Dubey, OUT! CAUGHT! Not the best of balls, but T Natarajan will take it. More importantly, Donovan Ferreira stays away from strike. Natarajan looks for the yorker but it comes out as a thigh-high full toss, outside off. Dubey swings across the line with all his might but is a bit rushed and loses his shape in the process. Slices it high in the air towards cover, where Ashutosh Sharma settles under it and makes no mistake. Also, Jofra Archer comes out to the middle now.

Rajasthan Royals will want Donovan Ferreira back on strike as soon as possible.

19.1: T Natarajan to Shubham Dubey, Wide! T Natarajan attempts the wide yorker but this goes beyond the tramline.

T Natarajan will bowl the final over.

18.6: Mitchell Starc to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Absolutely thumped! Starc misses his yorker by a small margin, on off. Ferreira clears the front leg and opens up his front hip. He gets low to get under the ball before dispatching it over wide long off for a six.

18.5: Mitchell Starc to Donovan Ferreira, FOUR! Just wide! From around the wicket, Starc nearly gets the yorker in, on off. Donovan Ferreira gets just enough leverage to get under the ball and opens the bat face to carve it behind point. Kuldeep Yadav sprints to his right and flings himself in that direction, but the ball evades him. It nearly went the distance as the ball bounced just in front of the boundary cushions. The 200 is up for RR.

18.4: Mitchell Starc to Shubham Dubey, Leg bye! A bit of tail back in on the yorker from Starc. Shubham gets the front leg out of the way and has a swipe across the line. Gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the pads. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls in front of point.

18.3: Mitchell Starc to Donovan Ferreira, Nails the yorker, on off, Ferreira digs it out to extra cover and gets to the other end.

18.2: Mitchell Starc to Donovan Ferreira, Pushes it across the right-hander at 143.2 kph, on a length. Donovan Ferreira reaches out and throws his hands at the ball. It flirts with the tramline but the decision goes in favour of the bowler.

18.2: Mitchell Starc to Donovan Ferreira, Wide! Starc goes short, on middle, but this is too high. Donovan Ferreira lets it pass. Wide given for height.

18.1: Mitchell Starc to Shubham Dubey, Full and on middle, Dubey flicks it to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

A massive over for the Royals. Donovan Ferreira has taken down the match-up of Kuldeep Yadav in style.

17.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Third biggie of the over. Donovan Ferreira is turning it on for the Royals at the back end of the innings. Kuldeep offers flight, full and on middle. Donovan Ferreira gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep towards cow corner for a 95-metre hit. 20 runs off Kuldeep's final over.

17.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, Shorter and a bit of turn, on middle. Donovan rocks back and forces it down the strip. The ball was in the air for a brief moment but dropped short of Kuldeep, who did well to make the stop.

17.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, SIXI Straighter this time, but the result is the same. Kuldeep gives the ball a bit of air but ends up being a bit too full, on off. Ferreira clears the front leg and collapses his back knee to get under the ball. Pumps it over long off for half a dozen more.

17.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! That has gone back a long way. Flighted delivery, googly attempted by Kuldeep. Full and wide on off, Donovan Ferreira extends his hands into the lofted hit and sends it way over cover for a biggie.

17.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Shubham Dubey, Out comes the googly, spinning back in, on a nagging length, on middle. Shubham angles it wide of backward point and crosses over.

17.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, Bowled with a flat trajectory, on a good length, on middle and leg. Donovan Ferreira rocks back and taps it to long on for a single.

Will we see Kuldeep Yadav now? Yes, we will. Axar Patel held him back for Donovan Ferreira.

16.6: Mitchell Starc to Shubham Dubey, FOUR! Lovely shot! Starc errs in length as he serves a juicy half-volley, on off. Dubey presses onto the front foot and creams the drive all along the ground, wide of extra cover. He picks up a boundary to get going.

16.6: Mitchell Starc to Shubham Dubey, Wide! Starc goes searching for the yorker but drifts down leg and it comes out as a low full toss. Dubey fails to help it away.

16.5: Mitchell Starc to Shubham Dubey, Delivers it full, outside off, Dubey steers it to backward point with an open bat face.

Double blow from the Aussie speedster as he gets rid of both set batters. Shubham Dubey walks out to bat now.

16.4: Mitchell Starc to Riyan Parag, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mitchell Starc strikes gold for DC. From around the wicket, hits the back of a length, on off and middle. Parag just swings through the line, aiming to back over the bowler's head. The ball holds up a bit in the surface and one hand comes off the bat handle. It is skied towards mid off, where Axar Patel takes a few steps forward and does the rest. End of a fine knock from the RR skipper. Two wickets in the over. RR are now 168/5.

16.3: Mitchell Starc to Donovan Ferreira, Full and slanting in at the toes, Ferreira knocks it down to long on for a single.

The next batter in is Donovan Ferreira.

16.2: Mitchell Starc to Ravindra Jadeja, OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Starc breaks through. Pace off and bowled into the surface by Starc, over off. Jadeja gets on his toes and gets his hands high. He tries to guide it over backward point but does not have any pace to work with. Spoons it to Ashutosh Sharma there on the edge of the ring, who moves to his right and takes the catch at head height.

16.2: Mitchell Starc to Ravindra Jadeja, Wide! Low full toss, drifting down leg, Jadeja lets it go past him.

16.1: Mitchell Starc to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! Gets it through! Skidding through at 143.7 kph, on a good length, just outside the off stump. Jadeja plays it late as he glides it to short third. Kyle Jamieson is late to get down to his right there and concedes a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Mitchell Starc (2-0-16-1) returns to the attack.

15.6: Kyle Jamieson to Ravindra Jadeja, Top work! Low full toss, angling away, Jadeja extends his hands and hits it wide of mid off, but Tristan Stubbs is quick across the turf and dives to his right to prevent the ball from going past him. Single taken. 15 runs off the over.

15.5: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, A half-volley, on off. Parag cracks the drive to deep cover and crosses over.

15.4: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of fours. A poor ball by Jamieson, a low full toss, sliding onto the pads. Parag helps it wide of short fine leg to his left and it races away.

15.3: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Smart batting! Pace off and dug in short, over middle. The off-cutter spins back towards the right-hander, but Parag gets his hands high to play the ramp over the keeper's head for four more.

15.2: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Helped away! Jamieson dishes out the yorker but strays on the toes. Parag gets inside the line and glances it to the left of the man at short fine leg for a four.

15.1: Kyle Jamieson to Ravindra Jadeja, Good stop! Across off, on a good length. Jadeja cuts it late but can't get it through. Mitchell Starc moves to his left at backward point and gets down to make the stop. Just a single.

14.6: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Gets it away this time! T Natarajan misses the yorker again and bowls a full toss, on off. Riyan Parag shows the full face of the bat and smacks it to the long off fence for a boundary. No chance for Starc this time around.

14.5: T Natarajan to Ravindra Jadeja, Short of a length and around off, Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away to deep square leg for one.

14.4: T Natarajan to Ravindra Jadeja, SIX! Straight as an arrow! T Natarajan sticks to the fuller length, on middle. Ravindra Jadeja is expecting that length, hits it through the line and with a high elbow, tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

14.3: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, Pitched up and on middle, Riyan Parag uses his wrists and clips it wide of long on for a run.

14.3: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, WIDE! Tries the bouncer, on middle, but this is too high for the batter, Riyan Parag leaves it alone. Wided.

14.2: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, Fuller one and on middle, Riyan Parag clips it away wide of long on, where Tristan Stubbs works in tandem with the deep mid-wicket fielder to keep it down to two runs.

14.1: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, A low full toss, on off, Riyan Parag drills it with a straight bat wide of long off. Mitchell Starc runs to his right and slides to pull the ball back inside. He does well to get rid of the ball before his back foot touches the ropes. Two taken. Starc seems to be experiencing a bit of cramp, but he is staying on.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A decent last couple of overs for the Delhi Capitals, but a challenging task awaits them in the final six. The surface has been a touch on the slower side, and Rajasthan Royals will be eyeing the 200-mark. Ravindra Jadeja has been guilty of chewing up deliveries so far. He will need to shift gears here, or at least keep turning the strike over. RR still have the likes of Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey waiting in the shed. An interesting phase of play awaits us.

13.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Darts this one full and on middle and leg, Riyan Parag whips it away through mid-wicket for one more.

13.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Powered away! Kuldeep Yadav drags his length back a bit, on middle. Riyan Parag backs away a bit and uses all his shoulder strength to blast it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

13.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja, Short and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja cuts it away wide of point, where Ashutosh Sharma dives to his left to make a fantastic stop. He grabs the ball and throws it at the batter's end, where KL Rahul takes the bails off, but Parag has made his ground.

13.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja, Slows it up, full and on off, Ravindra Jadeja taps it to the off side.

13.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja, Floated, short and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket and calls for two. He hustles back for the second, but a better throw would have made things interesting here.

13.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Flatter, full and around leg, Riyan Parag swipes at it but he ball goes off his pads towards short fine for a leg bye.

Kuldeep Yadav (2-0-13-0) is back. He has been tidy so far.

12.6: T Natarajan to Ravindra Jadeja, Run out chance...missed! Good length and on off, Ravindra Jadeja opens the face of his bat and guides it straight to point, but sets off for the run. He is sent back but gets stranded midway on the pitch. Ashutosh Sharma has a lot of time to take aim, but misses his shy at the batter's end. Jadeja had already given up, but got a life here.

12.5: T Natarajan to Ravindra Jadeja, Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Ravindra Jadeja uses his feet, reaches out and slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

12.4: T Natarajan to Ravindra Jadeja, On a back of a length, on off, that is punched off the back foot but straight to cover.

12.3: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, Much fuller and on middle and leg, shapes in a touch, Riyan Parag looks to flick it away, but misses and gets hit low on the back pad as the ball rolls to point. The batters cross. Axar Patel has a chat with his bowler and keeper but opts against the review. The umpire gives it as runs, so maybe an inside edge there as well.

12.2: T Natarajan to Ravindra Jadeja, Full again and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja drives it to long on for a run.

12.1: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, Fuller and on middle, Riyan Parag drills it to long on for a single.

11.6: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Uppish but safe! This is slowed down by Axar, on a length, on middle. Parag backs away to go inside out but skews it off the outer half over cover-point for a single.

11.5: Axar Patel to Ravindra Jadeja, Dragged back, on leg, Ravindra Jadeja clips it through mid-wicket for one.

The 102-run stand has been broken. Ravindra Jadeja makes his way out to bat.

11.4: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, OUT! TAKEN! Axar Patel breaks the big partnership. He bowls this quicker and shorter, on middle, angling in. Dhruv Jurel backs away and looks to heave it over mid-wicket, but gets cramped up to free his arms completely. He ends up hitting it from the upper half of the bat much straighter towards long on, where Tristan Stubbs moves to his right, crouches on his knees and takes the catch with a reverse cup.

11.3: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, SIX! Superb use of the feet! Tossed up, full and on off, Dhruv Jurel skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and pumps it flat and over the long off fence for a biggie. That also brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

11.2: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Short and around leg, Riyan Parag nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

11.1: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, Full and on off, Jurel comes forward and plays it to long off for a run.

Axar Patel (3-0-29-0) returns to bowl his final over.

10.6: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, SIX! How has he got that there? T Natarajan bangs this into the pitch, keeps the line outside off again. Riyan Parag opens up his stance, plays it like a tennis player's forehand smash, dismissing it over the wide long off fence for a biggie.

10.5: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Put away! T Natarajan gets the slower one wrong and serves a juicy full toss, outside off. Riyan Parag makes the most of it and smashes it over extra cover for a boundary. 100 UP FOR RR.

10.4: T Natarajan to Dhruv Jurel, Short of a length and on middle, Dhruv Jurel rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.3: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, FIFTY FOR PARAG! His first of the season and this has been a captain's knock. This should give him and his team a lot of confidence going ahead in the season. Pitched up, on off, Riyan Parag drills it to long off for a run. Not much of a celebaration, just a little raise of the bat and a hug from his partner.

10.2: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, Hits the length hard and around off, takes pace off, Riyan Parag swats it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

10.2: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, WIDE! Goes fuller but way outside off, Riyan Parag leaves it alone. Called a wide.

10.1: T Natarajan to Riyan Parag, Back of a length and around off, Riyan Parag stabs it hard on the ground but straight to extra cover.

9.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Loopy googly, full and on off. Dhruv gets his hands through the line of the ball and drills it to the right of long off. Kyle Jamieson gets around and tidies up. Two runs taken. A tidy over from Kuldeep.

9.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Very full, on middle and leg. Parag can't get under it and hits it along the ground to long on. Just a single.

9.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Nearly sneaked through! This skids through, short and flat, on middle. Jurel rocks back for the pull but is rushed. Squeezes out an inside edge towards short fine leg. They cross.

9.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Shorter and on off, Jurel pats it back to Kuldeep.

9.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Dishes out the googly, slower and full, on middle. Riyan drops it beside the strip on the off side and hurries to the other end.

9.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Full and on leg, Jurel clips it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Strategic Break! Despite losing both the explosive openers cheaply, the Rajasthan Royals have managed to recover nicely here. It is their skipper, Riyan Parag, leading from the front, and he is nearing a half-century, with this already being his best score this season. Dhruv Jurel is playing the anchor, and this partnership is becoming threatening for the visitors. The pitch does not have any demons on it, and anything less than 200, the Capitals will take it. However, they will have to break this stand first and then put pressure on the RR middle order, which has been a bit inconsistent this season.

8.6: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Bowls it full and quick, on middle. Parag plays a punchy drive but can't get it past the diving Sameer Rizvi at cover.

8.5: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Slower and fuller, on off, a bit of grip in the surface. Parag checks his drive to cover.

8.4: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, Just a single. Short and on leg, Dhruv nurdles it in front of deep mid-wicket and they take the first run hard. Jurel slips while turning around for the second and the batters eventually settle with one.

8.3: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, At 97.7 kph, short and on middle, bowled a bit round arm. Riyan punches it to long off for one.

8.2: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, SIX! Back-to-back sixes! Parag is taking down his counterpart. Darted in, on a good length, on middle. This just sits up to be hit and Parag clobbers it way back over mid-wicket for a biggie.

8.1: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, SIX! Clean strike! Axar gives it a bit of air, full and outside off. Riyan Parag gets the width to free his arms and presses onto the front foot. He swings through the line and hammers it over long on for a six.

7.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Tossed up, full and on off, Riyan dabs it beside the strip on the off side and takes a quick single.

7.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Quicker through the air, fractionally short, Dhruv comes down the track and punches it to long on for one more.

7.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Drops it short again, on middle  Parag shovels it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

7.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Shorter and turning into the pads. Parag presses back and whips it towards deep mid-wicket. Sameer Rizvi sprints and dives to his left to cut it off. Two runs taken.

7.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Stays full, on off, Dhruv pushes it down the strip. Kuldeep dives to his right but cannot make a clean stop. He parries it away, allowing a single.

7.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Riyan Parag, Flighted delivery, full and on middle, driven to long on for one.

Spin from both ends as Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack now.

6.6: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Attacking the front pad, a bit full. Parag wrists it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.

6.5: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, Darted in, on the shorter side, on middle. Jurel goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid wicket for a single.

6.4: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, Sharp stop! Flat and short, on off, Dhruv cuts it hard but Nitish Rana dives to his right and cuts it off, saving at least a couple of runs.

6.3: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, FOUR! Nicely adjusted! This keeps coming with the arm at 91.5 kph, on a good length, in line with the off stump. Jurel shimmies down the pitch initially but then holds his charge and adjusts to the shortness of the length. Cuts it between backward point and short third and picks up a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

6.2: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Slows it down a bit, on a good length, on middle. Parag turns it through mid-wicket for another single.

6.1: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, Skidding through, on a nagging length, on middle. This is punched to long on for one.

Giving a third over on the trot to Kyle Jamieson proved a bit costly for DC. However, they will still be pleased with how things went in the Powerplay, and getting rid of both the openers, they would have taken that all day long.

5.6: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, Jamieson hurls it on a good length, on middle. Dhruv pats it in front of mid on and hurries to the other end. A good finish to the Powerplay for the home side. 20 runs off the over. After 6 overs, the Royals are 56/2.

5.5: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, Good placement! Jamieson drags the length back and follows Jurel as he backs away. Dhruv watchfully nudges it with soft hands in front of deep square leg and picks up a brace.

5.4: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, Sliding onto the pads, pace taken off. Riyan dabs it beside the strip on the leg side and crosses over.

5.3: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, SIX! Nothing edgy about this one. Good proactive batting from the RR skipper. Seam-up ball, on a good length, angled in at the sticks. Parag moves towards the leg side to open up the off side. Presents a high elbow and goes inside out over cover for half a dozen. The 50 is up for RR.

5.2: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Off the edge! On a hard length, around the off stump. Parag is slightly tucked up for room but flashes hard at the ball. It flies off an outside edge between the keeper and short third for a four.

5.1: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, SIX! Hit with real authority! Floated up there by Jamieson as he goes searching for the swing, on middle. Parag puts his head down and has a swing across the line. He holds his shape and with a still head, he clubs it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Change? Nope, Kyle Jamieson (2-0-13-1) to continue.

4.6: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Full and speared in at the sticks, Parag taps it to long off for a single.

4.5: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, A much louder appeal for LBW, still turned down! Axar Patel pushes this through quicker, full and on middle, angles it in. Riyan Parag once again switches hands for the switch hit but misses and gets hit on the pads. Axar Patel has a chat with his keeper and takes the review this time. UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved, and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is missing the leg stump. DC lose a review.

4.4: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Slight shout for LBW, but turned down! Flatter, full and on off, Riyan Parag changes his stance for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

4.3: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, Slows it up, full and on middle, Dhruv Jurel looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards mid on for a run.

4.2: Axar Patel to Dhruv Jurel, FOUR! Great shot! Shorter in length and outside off, Dhruv Jurel rocks back, gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.

4.1: Axar Patel to Riyan Parag, Floated, full and on off, Riyan Parag drives it to long off for a single.

Still some movement in that last over for Jamieson. Will Starc bowl one more in the Powerplay? The answer is no. Axar Patel brings himself on.

3.6: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, Short of a length and on off, Riyan Parag dabs it down in front of point for a quick one.

3.5: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, Beaten! Fuller in length and in the channel outside off, gets it to shape away, Riyan Parag goes for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

3.4: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, Pitched up and on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it wide of short cover. Pathum Nissanka dives to his left to make a half-stop and the batters get the run.

3.3: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, FOUR! Excellent timing! Good-length delivery, on middle, drifts into the pads. Dhruv Jurel brings his wrists into play and flicks it with sublime timing through square leg for a boundary.

3.2: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, Touch slower and fuller, outside off, Riyan Parag throws his bat at it. He slices it uppishly but through the vacant point region for a run.

3.1: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, On a length and on middle, angling in, Dhruv Jurel clips it through square leg for a single.

2.6: Mitchell Starc to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Connects this time! Just back of a length and around middle, it sits up nicely for the batter. Riyan Parag gets on top of the bounce and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

2.5: Mitchell Starc to Riyan Parag, Well bowled! The trademark in-swinging yorker from Mitchell Starc, on middle, Riyan Parag just about gets his bat down in time to dig it out.

2.4: Mitchell Starc to Riyan Parag, Swing and a miss! Mitchell Starc bangs this into the pitch at 137.5 kph, on off, takes off again. Riyan Parag tries to pull it away but fails to connect.

2.3: Mitchell Starc to Riyan Parag, Short of a length and outside off, angling away with extra bounce, Riyan Parag slashes at it but misses.

2.2: Mitchell Starc to Dhruv Jurel, Pitched up and on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it through point for a single.

2.1: Mitchell Starc to Dhruv Jurel, FOUR! Fine shot! Mitchell Starc lands this on a good length and around off. Dhruv Jurel strides out a bit, uses the width and cracks the drive through covers for a boundary.

1.6: Kyle Jamieson to Riyan Parag, Back of a length and around off, Riyan Parag leaves it alone.

Both RR openers are back in the hut inside the first two overs. A rare occurrence this season, and DC are off to the perfect start. In walks the Rajasthan skipper, Riyan Parag.

1.5: Kyle Jamieson to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Kyle Jamieson with an instant response, and the crowd has gone absolutely silent here in Jaipur. The Kiwi this time gets the yorker right, on off, tailing in a bit as well. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stays back and tries to dig it out, but gets a bit late to get his bat down. The ball goes off the toe-end onto the back pad before kissing the stumps behind. Jamieson is pumped up here and gives a bit of a send-off to the youngster.

1.4: Kyle Jamieson to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Take that, says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi! Kyle Jamieson searches for the yokrer, but ends up serving a half-volley, on off. Sooryavanshi stays deep inside his crease and thumps it down the ground to the long off fence for a boundary.

1.3: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, On a length and on off, Dhruv Jurel opens the bat face and guides it towards point for a single.

1.2: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, Play and a miss! Kyle Jamieson sees the batter advance and hits the length hard, on off, shaping it away. Dhruv Jurel gets a bit squared up trying to play at it as the ball zips past the outside edge.

1.1: Kyle Jamieson to Dhruv Jurel, Kyle Jamieson begins with a fuller delivery, on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it straight to short cover.

The tall Kyle Jamieson will steam in from the other end.

0.6: Mitchell Starc to Dhruv Jurel, Fuller one and on off, Dhruv Jurel drives it to mid off for a single. End of an eventful first over, a wicket and 7 runs off it!

0.5: Mitchell Starc to Dhruv Jurel, BEAUTY! Good-length delivery, around off, angling away with extra bounce. Dhruv Jurel has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

0.4: Mitchell Starc to Dhruv Jurel, Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Dhruv Jurel knocks it to mid on.

Mitchell Starc is on the board in a rather unusual fashion. Dhruv Jurel walks in at number 3.

0.3: Mitchell Starc to Yashasvi Jaiswal, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! There's the response from the Aussie. Not a wicket-taking delivery, but Mitchell Starc opens his account for the season. He bowls a high full toss at 143.3 kph, around the midriff of the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets surprised by it and just swings at it. It spoons up off the higher part of the bat, and Starc runs to his left to take a dolly. Jaiswal is not going anywhere as the third umpire is checking for a No Ball above waist height. However, the Ball Tracking shows that it is well below the waist of Yashasvi, and he will have to walk back to the hut.

Mitchell Starc has his first wicket, or has he? Yashasvi Jaiswal is going nowhere. The third umpire has been summoned to check the height of the full toss. It seems to be below the waist on the side-on replay. The Ball Tracking confirms that it is a fair delivery with the ball being below the waist. OUT flashes on the big screen.

0.2: Mitchell Starc to Yashasvi Jaiswal, Hard length and outside off, shaping away a bit. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to cut it away but toe-ends it towards short third.

0.1: Mitchell Starc to Yashasvi Jaiswal, SIX! Now, that's some welcome for Mitchell Starc this season! He lands this back of a length and around middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal picks up the length in a trice, swivels and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

We are all set for the action to get underway in Jaipur. Axar Patel has gathered his men in a huddle near the ropes, with the captain spurring his team on with a few final words before they take the field. Out walk the formidable RR opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Playing his first game of the season, Mitchell Starc will kick off proceedings with the new ball for DC. Jaiswal to take strike. A slip in place. Let's go...

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that they would have bowled first anyway, as in the last game at this venue, SRH chased something around 230. Mentions that they just have to keep a positive attitude and try to turn things around. Axar informs that there are a few changes in the side. Mitchell Starc is playing so Dushmantha Chameera misses out. Sahil Parakh is out with a neck spasm, and Pathum Nissanka comes in, with David Miller also sitting out this match. 

The captain of the Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag believes it is not the usual Jaipur wicket, noting a bit of dryness and patchiness on the surface. He expects it to slow down as the game progresses. Parag says the middle and lower-order finishing the previous game was pleasing to see. Highlights that chasing down 223 was a collective effort, with everyone stepping up at different stages. Riyan admits they are still not playing complete cricket, but hopes the team can put it all together going forward. Informs that Ravi Bishnoi comes back in and Dasun Shanaka sits out, with Shubham Dubey being included in the starting XI.

Impact sub options for DC - Vipraj Nigam, Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi, David Miller.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka (In for David Miller), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma (In for Sahil Parakh), Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Starc (In for Dushmantha Chameera), Kuldeep Yadav and T Natarajan.

Impact sub options for RR - Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Ravi Singh, Yash Punja and Tushar Deshpande.

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey (In for Dasun Shanaka), Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi (In for Yash Punja), Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma.

Riyan Parag gives the coin a flip and it lands in his favour. Rajasthan Royals elect to BAT first.