Jaipur’s cricket faithful witnessed a captain’s knock for the ages as Riyan Parag’s unbeaten pursuit of a century powered Rajasthan Royals to 225/6, handing Delhi Capitals a daunting 226 to chase in IPL 2026’s 43rd match. Parag’s 90 off 50 deliveries – laced with 5 massive sixes and 8 boundaries – turned the game on its head after a top-order collapse, positioning RR for a potential climb to second on the ladder.
Electing to bat, RR stumbled early. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ambitious six on the first ball was followed by his dismissal for 6, gifting a catch to Starker. Vaibhav Suryavanshi managed just a four before perishing, leaving RR at 12/2.
Parag’s arrival sparked life. With Dhruv Jurel, he forged a crucial 102-run partnership over 59 balls, with Jurel contributing 42 (30 balls, 4×4, 1×6). Jadeja then joined for 53 runs in 28 balls (20 off 14), before Ferreira’s blistering 47* (14 balls, 6×6, 2×4) with Dubey sealed a strong finish.
DC’s bowlers toiled, led by Starks’ 3/40. Jamieson, Axar, and Natarajan claimed a wicket apiece, but couldn’t stem the flow.
Full squads: RR – Jaiswal, Suryavanshi, Jurel (wk), Parag (c), Ferreira, Jadeja, Dubey, Archer, Bishnoi, Burger, Sharma. DC – Rahul (wk), Nissanka, Rana, Rizvi, Stubbs, Axar (c), Sharma, Jamieson, Stark, Yadav, Natarajan.
As DC steps in to bat, the pressure is on Axar Patel’s men. Parag’s near-century has given RR the edge – will DC’s batsmen rise to the occasion in this high-stakes clash?
