Delhi Capitals will take on Rajasthan Royals in Match 62 of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The match is scheduled for May 17 and will begin at 7:30 PM IST.
Delhi Capitals enter this contest with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They are currently placed seventh with five wins and seven defeats, but their recent victory over Punjab Kings has kept them mathematically alive. In that game, DC chased down 211 after being reduced to 33/3, with Axar Patel and David Miller playing match winning knocks.
Rajasthan Royals are better placed in the qualification race, sitting fifth with six wins from 11 matches. However, they also come into this match under pressure after recent inconsistency, making this fixture important for strengthening their playoff position.
The earlier meeting between the two sides this season went Delhi’s way, with DC beating Rajasthan by seven wickets on May 1. That result should give the Capitals some confidence, especially as they return to their home ground for another high stakes fixture.
For DC, KL Rahul’s form at the top remains crucial, while Axar Patel, David Miller and Mitchell Starc give them experience in key phases. Rajasthan, meanwhile, will rely heavily on their top order and Jofra Archer, who has been their leading wicket taker this season.
DC vs RR Over/Under Prediction
Delhi Capitals Preview
Delhi Capitals enter this match with their playoff hopes still alive, but the margin for error is almost gone. A defeat against Rajasthan Royals would officially end their qualification chances, so this is effectively a must win fixture for Axar Patel’s side.
Their recent victory over Punjab Kings has given them a lifeline. DC chased down 211 in Dharamsala after being reduced to 33/3, with Axar Patel and David Miller producing crucial half centuries to keep the campaign alive. That result showed that Delhi still have fight and experience in pressure situations.
KL Rahul remains central to Delhi’s batting plans. His form at the top gives the side stability, while Axar Patel and David Miller add experience and finishing strength in the middle order. If DC are to stay alive, their senior batters will need to deliver again against a Rajasthan attack that can punish any slow start.
The bigger concern for Delhi is consistency. They return home having won just one of their six matches in Delhi this season, which makes their home advantage less convincing than usual. Their bowling has also lacked control at different stages of the tournament, so Mitchell Starc and the rest of the attack will need to be sharper in the powerplay and at the death.
Another challenge is momentum. DC have produced strong individual performances, but they have struggled to build a sustained winning run. Every match from here is about survival, and that pressure could either bring the best out of them or expose their inconsistency again
Rajasthan Royals Preview
Rajasthan Royals are placed better than Delhi Capitals in the playoff race, but their recent form has made this fixture extremely important. RR are fifth with 12 points from 11 matches, and a win in Delhi could take them back into the top four at a crucial stage of the season.
Momentum, however, is a major concern. Rajasthan have lost two matches in a row and five of their last seven games. Their heavy defeat to Gujarat Titans, where they were bowled out for 152 while chasing 230, showed how quickly their batting can collapse under scoreboard pressure.
Despite that, RR still have plenty of batting firepower. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag can all score quickly, and the shorter boundaries at Arun Jaitley Stadium should suit their aggressive approach. The challenge will be converting starts into match defining innings.
Bowling has also been a concern for Rajasthan. They have conceded 200 plus totals multiple times this season, and that lack of control could be costly against a Delhi side fighting to stay alive. Jofra Archer’s spells with the new ball and at the death will be crucial, while Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja could come into play if the surface offers grip.
The previous meeting between these two sides went Delhi’s way, with DC winning by seven wickets in Jaipur. Rajasthan will be keen to respond, especially with their playoff position still far from secure.
DC vs RR Probable Playing XI
Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul(w), Abishek Porel, Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel(c), Madhav Tiwari, Mukesh Kumar, Auqib Nabi Dar, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi. Impact Player: Ashutosh Sharma.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja. Impact Player: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
DC vs RR Pitch Report
The Arun Jaitley Stadium surface is expected to be favourable for batting, largely because of the short boundaries and fast outfield. Once batters get their eye in, run scoring should become easier, and Delhi has already produced several high scoring matches in IPL 2026.
However, the pitch may not remain completely straightforward throughout the game. As the ball gets older, the surface can slow down slightly, bringing spinners and cutters into the contest. Bowlers who use variations well could be effective during the middle overs.
There may be some early help for fast bowlers with the new ball, but that assistance is expected to fade quickly. After the initial overs, batters should be able to attack the shorter boundaries, especially if they rotate strike and avoid getting stuck against spin.
Chasing has been the preferred route at this venue this season. Teams batting second have enjoyed a strong record in Delhi, so the toss could play an important role, particularly if dew makes bowling harder later in the evening.
DC vs RR Winner Prediction
Delhi Capitals are still in a tricky position on the table, but their recent win over Punjab Kings has kept them alive and given them some much needed confidence. The way they chased 211 after slipping to 33/3 showed that there is still enough experience and batting depth in the side, especially with KL Rahul, Axar Patel and David Miller capable of handling pressure situations.
Rajasthan Royals are better placed in the playoff race, but their recent form has become a concern. Back to back defeats and five losses in their last seven matches have made this fixture more complicated than their position on the table suggests.
The venue could also work slightly in Delhi’s favour. Arun Jaitley Stadium has been unpredictable this season, but chasing teams have enjoyed a strong record, and DC should understand the conditions better than Rajasthan. If Delhi get the chance to bowl first, their chances could improve further.
That said, Rajasthan Royals remain a dangerous side. Their batting has enough power to take advantage of Delhi’s shorter boundaries, and if Yashasvi Jaiswal or Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets going, RR can put the game out of reach quickly.
Overall, this should be a close contest, but Delhi’s recent win, home conditions and the strong chasing trend at Arun Jaitley Stadium give them a narrow advantage.
Code: TOPBK
