Rahul, Nissanka power Delhi Capitals to 226 chase over RR

Delhi Capitals pulled off one of the standout chases of IPL 2026, overhauling 226 with ease to defeat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in Jaipur and return to winning ways.

In a match dominated by batting, KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka set the tone early, ensuring the chase never spiralled despite the daunting target.

Rajasthan Royals had earlier posted 225 for 6 after choosing to bat first, but the conditions shifted noticeably in the second innings, allowing DC to cruise to 226 for 3 without sustained pressure.

Parag and Ferreira rescue RR innings

Rajasthan’s innings was built around a remarkable recovery after early trouble. Reduced to 36 for 2 in the first five overs with the ball seaming, they needed a stabilising effort.

Riyan Parag delivered that, crafting 90 off 50 balls after weathering the early movement. His innings ensured RR stayed competitive, even though the scoring rate at that stage did not guarantee control of the game.

The late surge came from Donovan Ferreira, who smashed an unbeaten 47 off just 14 balls. His ability to convert yorker-length deliveries into boundaries, including multiple sixes, pushed RR to 225 — their second-best finish in the Impact Player era.

Mitchell Starc’s 3 for 40 was the standout return for DC, ensuring RR were kept within reach despite the late onslaught.

Nissanka sets platform, Rahul takes over

The chase unfolded in sharply contrasting conditions, with the pitch offering far less assistance to the bowlers.

Pathum Nissanka made full use of it in the powerplay, racing to 52 off 26 balls and ensuring DC made a rapid start. His strokeplay allowed the visitors to dominate early, effectively neutralising RR’s new-ball attack.

Once the field spread, KL Rahul took charge. He maintained a strike rate well above two runs a ball through the middle overs, particularly targeting the spinners, including Ravi Bishnoi, who was expected to be a key threat.

The foundation laid by the opening pair meant DC were always ahead of the required rate, turning what looked like a challenging chase into a controlled pursuit.

Chase defined by conditions and control

While RR had to rebuild after early setbacks, DC encountered far fewer challenges with the bat.

The contrast between the two innings was striking — RR had to recover from early movement, while DC’s batters found a surface that allowed free strokeplay throughout.

Nitish Rana’s 33 off 17 balls ensured there were no late complications after the openers departed, while Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma calmly finished the chase.

DC reached the target with seven wickets in hand, completing the chase with notable ease for such a high-scoring match.

What this result means

Delhi Capitals’ successful chase of 226 highlights how decisively the match swung in the second innings, with batting conditions improving significantly.

For Rajasthan Royals, posting 225 proved insufficient for the second time in Jaipur under similar circumstances, underlining how difficult it was to defend totals on this surface. DC, meanwhile, secured a crucial win built on a dominant opening partnership and sustained control throughout the chase.

Also check out:

Gujarat Titans beat RCB as Holder stars in NRR boost