Winless in their last three outings, the Delhi Capitals are staring at a must-win situation as they take on the confident Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday in IPL 2026.



Led by Axar Patel, Delhi have endured a rollercoaster season and currently sit seventh in the 10-team standings with three wins and four losses. Their recent form has been particularly worrying—despite posting a massive 250-plus total in one match, they still ended up losing after conceding a record chase, only to be bundled out for a mere 75 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their next game.



Earlier this month, Delhi also suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat to the Gujarat Titans, further denting their campaign. A major concern has been their inconsistent batting lineup. While players like KL Rahul, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Sameer Rizvi have contributed in patches, the unit has failed to click collectively.



One bright spot from their previous match was Abhishek Porel, who came in as an Impact Player and helped prevent a complete collapse. He could now find a place in the starting XI.



There is, however, some relief for Delhi on the bowling front. Star pacer Mitchell Starc is expected to return after receiving clearance from Cricket Australia from May 1. With Lungi Ngidi still unavailable, Starc’s inclusion could significantly strengthen the attack, possibly replacing either Kyle Jamieson or Dushmantha Chameera.



Meanwhile, Rajasthan enter the contest high on confidence. Currently placed fourth, they recently handed Punjab Kings their first defeat of the season, marking their sixth win in nine matches.



Rajasthan’s top order has been particularly impressive, with youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi standing out for his fearless approach against top-quality bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. Yashasvi Jaiswal has also been in fine touch, giving the Royals strong starts.



Another encouraging sign for Rajasthan is the improving form of their middle order, which had struggled earlier in the season but now appears more settled and reliable.



Historically, the rivalry between Delhi and Rajasthan has been evenly matched, with both teams winning 15 games each out of their 30 encounters.



The pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium has traditionally offered a balanced contest between bat and ball. However, this season has seen high-scoring games, including a match where Sunrisers Hyderabad comfortably chased down 229, indicating a batting-friendly surface. If similar conditions prevail, bowlers from both sides will need to be at their absolute best.



With their campaign on the line, Delhi will be desperate for a turnaround, while Rajasthan will look to continue their winning momentum in what promises to be an exciting clash.