IPL 2026: Starc-Rahul's exploits sink RR by 5 wickets to keep DC's slim playoff hopes alive

Mitchell Starc produced a game-changing four-wicket haul to halt Rajasthan Royals’ charge before Delhi Capitals completed a crucial five-wicket victory to keep their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive on May 17.

DC stay afloat in playoff contention after thrashing RR

Starc’s superb spell of 4/40 sparked a dramatic late collapse after Rajasthan had stormed to a menacing 160 for two in 14 overs. The visitors completely lost their way in the final stretch, managing only 33 runs while losing six wickets to finish on a sub-par 193/8.

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KL Rahul's fifty in DC's win

Delhi then made the daunting chase look comfortable for large parts of their innings, thanks to openers KL Rahul and Abishek Porel. The duo laid the perfect platform for the hosts by putting together a blazing 105-run opening stand in just 10.1 overs. While Porel attacked from the outset by smashing seven fours and a six in his 31-ball 51, Rahul paced his innings smartly to anchor the chase with a 42-ball 56 before eventually falling to Dasun Shanaka.

Following the strong start, Sahil Parakh chipped in with a quick 9 before skipper Axar Patel provided the finishing flourish. Patel played a captain's knock, hammering an unbeaten 34 off just 18 balls with the help of two boundaries and two maximums. Despite a brief hiccup in the latter stages—where Jofra Archer removed Tristan Stubbs and Brijesh Sharma dismissed David Miller—Ashutosh Sharma blasted a remarkable, unbeaten 18 off just five deliveries to seal the chase in 19.2 overs.

This vital victory has lifted Delhi from eighth to seventh in the points table, bringing them to 12 points. The win keeps the Capitals firmly in contention ahead of their final league match against the Kolkata Knight Riders next Sunday. By then, Delhi will know exactly what is required to secure a playoff berth, provided a couple of other external results fall in their favor as well.

Mitchell Starc's fiery four-fer breaks RR's back

Earlier, needing a crucial win to stay afloat in the playoff race, DC successfully clawed their way back into the contest  through an incisive four-wicket burst from Mitchell Starc. The late surge effectively neutralized a blazing top-order effort from the Rajasthan Royals, who had initially threatened to post a massive total after being asked to bat first.

Rajasthan looked well on track for a 220-plus score after racing to a commanding 160 for two in 14 overs. However, Starc’s superb spell of 4/40 triggered a dramatic collapse in the final stretch, choking the visitors to a final score of 193 for eight. Rajasthan completely lost the plot during the death overs, managing to add just 33 runs while surrendering six wickets.

The Royals' innings had begun brightly with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal driving and cutting fluently against Starc, though his stay was cut short when Lungi Ngidi removed him for 12. Teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi then stepped up to light up the arena with another fearless knock. The youngster blended elegant stroke-play with mature defense and aggressive intents, taking on the Capitals' attack with immense confidence. Suryavanshi was handed a timely reprieve on 31 when Sameer Rizvi dropped a tough chance running backward off Tripurana Vijay, and the left-hander capitalized on the life before eventually falling for a rapid 46. Playing only his second IPL game, Madhav Tiwari provided the vital breakthrough for Delhi as Suryavanshi failed to clear the ropes on a lofted straight drive.

At the other end, Dhruv Jurel played the perfect supporting role before accelerating smoothly, highlighted by a brutal assault on Mukesh Kumar that yielded two fours and a six to lift Rajasthan to a commanding 75 for one by the end of the Powerplay. Jurel and Suryavanshi put Delhi under severe pressure with their 70-run partnership for the second wicket. The onslaught was seamlessly continued by skipper Riyan Parag, who survived an early scare when Tristan Stubbs failed to cleanly hold a low catch off Madhav's bowling. Parag made Delhi pay heavily for the lapse, launching Axar Patel for towering sixes and hammering Mukesh Kumar for 23 runs in a single over to push Rajasthan’s scoring rate near the 12-an-over mark. Parag quickly outpaced Jurel and raced to a brisk half-century.

Just when a daunting total seemed inevitable for Rajasthan, Starc returned to decisively swing the momentum back to the hosts. The Australian left-arm quick first dismissed the rampaging Parag to break the dangerous momentum. He then struck again immediately by removing Donovan Ferreira for a golden duck, and followed it up just a ball later by trapping Ravi Singh leg-before to leave Rajasthan suddenly reeling at 161 for six. Madhav Tiwari joined the party shortly after, dismissing Shubham for five as the Royals lost four wickets in the span of just 15 deliveries, causing the run flow to completely dry up.

Despite the chaotic collapse happening around him, Jurel stayed composed to complete a well-crafted half-century, anchoring the innings deep into the final overs. Starc then returned to remove impact substitute Dasun Shanaka for 10, wrapping up a stellar four-wicket haul.