Delhi Capitals defeated the Rajasthan Royals by 5 wickets to stay alive in the playoff race. With 12 points from 13 matches, DC will have to win their remaining game and hope other results go their way. Chasing 194 at home, the Capitals reached the target in 19.2 overs, with captain Axar Patel (34 off 18) and Ashutosh Sharma (18 off 5) remaining unbeaten at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on May 17.

While Axar hit two fours and as many sixes, Ashutosh struck 2 maximums and 1 boundary.

Earlier, DC opener KL Rahul and Abishek Porel added 105 runs in 10.1 overs for the first wicket. Rahul scored 56 off 42 to take his run tally to over 500 in the IPL 2026. He smashed 3 sixes and 1 four.  Porel managed 51 off 31, including 7 boundaries and 1 six.

Although Sahil Parakh (9), Tristan Stubbs (4) and David Miller (9) failed to complete the task, Axar and Ashutosh didn’t allow RR bowlers to take more wickets. Jofra Archer and Brijesh Sharma picked up two wickets, whereas Dasun Shanaka added one scalp to his bowling figures.

Earlier, Rajasthan were unable to post a big total on the board. Yashasvi Jaiswal (12 off 9) recorded another ordinary outing, but the likes of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46 off 21), Dhruv Jurel (53 off 40) and Riyan Parag (51 off 26) were impressive with the bat. The trio hit fours and sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking and kept the opposite numbers on the back foot. Parag and Sooryavanshi batted aggressively and scored their runs quickly. Their dismissals exposed the remaining willow holders, who found the conditions challenging.

Donovan Ferreira (0), Ravi Singh (4), Shubham Dubey (5) and Shanaka (10) struggled in the middle as Rajasthan reached 193 for 8 in 20 overs.

Mitchell Starc conceded 40 runs and picked up four wickets. Lungi Ngidi returned to form, dismissing two batters and giving away 24 runs.

Madhav Tiwari was once again spot on, getting rid of two batters. He conceded just 27 runs from his four overs.

RR, who were favourites for the playoffs, have surrendered the advantage in the second half of the season.

They have slipped to the sixth spot but have two matches left.

If they secure victories in two contests, there is a possibility of the 2008 champions competing in the knockout stage. Parag’s team would need complete performance from the top stars to script a memorable comeback.