Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals Match Highlights & Results

A clash of giants - Just the one game on Saturday, 2nd May, but it is a heavyweight clash. Chennai Super Kings will take on their familiar foes, Mumbai Indians, in Chennai, with both sides looking to turn their campaigns around. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), and as always, our build-up will be up and running well before that. See you then. Cheers!

What's next for these two teams? With this win, the Delhi Capitals snap their three-game losing streak and now have 4 wins from 9 games. They will now look to build momentum, especially with two home games coming up. First up, they host the Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, 5th May. As for the Rajasthan Royals, they will feel they haven't quite capitalised on a strong start to the season. After winning their first four games, they have managed just two wins in their next six. They now head into a break, with their next fixture on Saturday, 9th May in Jaipur against the Gujarat Titans.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - For his stunning knock of 75 runs from 40 balls, KL Rahul wins the award. Rahul also slips on the Orange Cap. He says that at the end of the day, they play the sport to win. Adds that after playing this game for so many years, numbers and records do matter, but you always want the W next to your name. Rahul mentions that despite the result, the dressing room has always been positive, and they try to keep it balanced. They had a few chats to see where things were going wrong or if they were making any blunders, but it was just about winning the key moments. Except for the last game, they have been in the contest for the rest of them, and it was about getting over the line. KL shares that while batting with Nissanka, they just remind each other of playing proper cricket shots. Cheekily says that he would have liked to play a few more balls in the Powerplay, but was happy to see Pathum smashing it all around. According to him, the most pleasing thing this season has been his strike rate, which has been a talking point for a few years. He ends by saying that he has worked hard on it and is glad to be doing what his team and modern T20 cricket require.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel shares that he is very happy with how the boys played. Tells that he can't ask for more as a captain when plans are executed with the ball.  Axar mentions that the team is delighted to have Mitchell Starc back, and says he showed exactly why he is regarded as a legend with the way he bowled tonight, especially coming back from an injury layoff. When asked about the last-ball catch attempt where Axar hurt his left hand, he says everything is fine now, and the physios have iced it. Ends by dedicating the win to the two DC fans who lost their lives in a tragic accident.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Let's hear from DC's ace speedster - Mitchell Starc says that it's nice to get the cobwebs out. Adds that it was good to get some training in and running in the legs. It's a nice return for him, spending time with the group and contributing towards the win. Mentions that he has been gradually getting his rhythm, but did not bowl to a batter until recently. Starc shares that in T20 cricket, you have to adjust to the pace of the game. He feels in a good place, trusting his skill, and this game was a good reminder of the tempo of the game. Says that there are a few niggles, but that is part of being a fast bowler. You just have to keep going, and it's the nature of the job.

Words from the RR skipper - Riyan Parag says that it was a good score. He felt that around 200 was a par score on this wicket. Mentions that they didn't bowl well in the middle overs and conceded too many boundaries. Shares that as 8-9 overs were still left, they wanted to take the game deep before bringing in Ferreira, but not much to think about that decision. Parag says that he doesn't need to answer any critics, his job is to get two points, and his knock doesn't matter if his team lose. Ends by saying that hopefully it is not a serious injury, it is a hamstring issue, but they have got a week off, so they will see how it goes.

Not the usual Jaipur wicket - That is what Riyan Parag felt when he opted to bat first, expecting the surface to slow down. The home side found themselves in unfamiliar territory, losing both openers inside the first two overs. Parag stepped up with his side in need, and his 102-run stand with Dhruv Jurel helped RR recover from that early setback. With the platform set, many expected Donovan Ferreira to walk in, but it was Ravindra Jadeja who came out ahead of him. That raised a few eyebrows, but Ferreira still made an impact. His blistering 47* off just 14 balls powered RR to 225.

Capitals boss the chase - It was going to be a challenge upfront for the DC openers against the likes of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, but they passed that test with flying colours. Pathum Nissanka was the aggressor in the Powerplay, unleashing shots square of the wicket, before KL Rahul took charge against the spinners in the middle phase. Their 110-run stand laid the perfect foundation for the chase. After Nissanka’s departure, Nitish Rana walked in with intent and took the pressure off Rahul. Both Rahul and Rana fell in quick succession, which gave RR a glimmer of hope, but Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs saw it through without any further hiccups.

A much-needed win for the Delhi Capitals - Coming off the back of two morale-crushing defeats, the Capitals desperately needed a response and pulling off their highest successful run chase in the league's history is one way to make a statement. Riyan Parag had expected the wicket to slow down, but that never quite happened. The ball came on nicely, and the RR bowling unit lacked penetration. After winning four games in a row to kickstart the campaign, the Royals have since blown hot and cold.

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, No ball!That's the game! DELHI CAPITALS WIN BY 7 WICKETS with 5 balls to spare. Brijesh Sharma bowls a very high full toss, on middle. Ashutosh Sharma swings at it, and the ball lobs up towards the leg side as the batters cross. It is also called a No Ball for the ball being over the waist of the batter. The Capitals finally snap their losing streak.

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, Four!FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Short of a length and outside off, slower as well. Ashutosh Sharma waits for it and smashes it over extra cover for a boundary.

Brijesh Sharma to bowl the final over. Wicketless so far and gone for 30 runs in his 3 overs.

Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Four!FOUR! That should be the game for DC! Jofra Archer serves this full, on middle and leg. Tristan Stubbs flicks it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Ravi Bishnoi initially runs forward but fails to judge the flight of the ball. He then moves to his right, but it is too late as the ball bounces to the fence for a boundary. Archer is not happy with that effort. Just 5 needed in the final over.

Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.Hard length and on middle and leg, Ashutosh Sharma gets rushed and forces it down to long on for just one. He wants the second but is sent back.

Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run.Another fine yorker, on leg, Tristan Stubbs jams it out to long on for a run.

Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, No run.Jofra Archer delivers the perfect yorker, on middle, Tristan Stubbs gets his bat down in time and can only dig it down the pitch.

Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, 2 runs.Fuller and on middle, Tristan Stubbs flicks it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 11 needed in 10 now!

Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.A high full toss, angling into the leg side. Ashutosh Sharma looks to heave it away but miscues it high in the air. However, it lands well wide of deep square leg and the batters take a single.

Jofra Archer (3-0-37-1) to bowl the penultimate over with DC needing 14 runs off 12 balls. Can Archer take the game to the final over?

Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.Low full toss, angling into the pads, Ashutosh Sharma clips it to deep mid-wicket for one more. 16 runs off the over!

Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run.Nails the yorker now, on middle, Tristan Stubbs digs it out to the left of mid on for one.

Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, Wide!WIDE! And again! Spills this full and way outside off, Tristan Stubbs happily leaves it alone. 16 needed in 14 now.

Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, Wide!WIDE! Hard length but outside off, over the tramline, Tristan Stubbs lets it go.

Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, Six!SIX! That brings down the equation much in favour of DC now! Tushar Deshpande misses his yorker but Tristan Stubbs does not miss out. A full toss, on off. Stubbs with an excellent follow-through smokes it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.In the blockhole, outside off, Ashutosh Sharma squeezes it out to deep point for a single.

Halt! The physio comes out for the concussion check. Ashutosh Sharma looks unflustered. Even before the check is complete, he has put the helmet back on. Sharma is ready to continue.

Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, No run.Ouch! A low full toss, around off, Ashutosh Sharma gets down across for the scoop, but the ball goes off the face of the bat straight into the grill of the helmet.

Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, Four!FOUR! 200 UP FOR DC! Tushar Deshpande tries the wide yorker but just misses it, outside off. Ashutosh Sharma lets the ball come to him, opens the face of the bat and using the pace, he glides it past short third for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande to Ashutosh Sharma, Wide!WIDE! Fuller but way outside off, Ashutosh Sharma backs away a bit and leaves it alone. Wided.

Danny Morrison informs on air that Ravindra Jadeja is off the park due to an ankle issue. Tushar Deshpande (3-0-22-1) has been brought back. Can he conjure something special in his final over?

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.Back of a length and outside off, slower as well, Ashutosh Sharma stabs it out through extra covers for one. 30 needed in the last three overs!

Oh, no! One of the floodlight towers has gone off. Yashasvi Jaiswal takes the break in play as an opportunity to have a chat with the bowler. The light tower is back up and running. We are all good to resume.

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, Four!FOUR! Gets it away! Brijesh Sharma attempts the yorker again, but bowls a low full toss, on middle, tailing in. Ashutosh Sharma gets down and across to get inside the line of it to paddle it past short fine for a boundary.

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, 2 runs.Hard length and on off, Ashutosh Sharma opens the face of his bat and guides it through point for a brace.

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, Wide!WIDE! Again bowls this full but down the leg, Ashutosh Sharma lets it go. Called a wide again.

Brijesh Sharma to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run.Slower again, full and on middle, Tristan Stubbs works it towards long on for another run.

Brijesh Sharma to Tristan Stubbs, Wide!WIDE! Brijesh Sharma tries the yorker but spills it down the leg side, Tristan Stubbs fails to get any bat on it. If he had, it could have been a boundary.

Brijesh Sharma to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.Pace off, short of a length and outside off, Ashutosh Sharma waits for it and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Brijesh Sharma to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run.Low full toss, on leg, Tristan Stubbs drills it down to long on for a single.

Brijesh Sharma is back. 2-0-18-0 so far for Brijesh.

Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, Four!FOUR! Much-needed for DC! Archer just errs in line and serves this full, drifting into the pads. Ashutosh Sharma picks it up and whips it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 44 needed off 24.

Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, No run.Full again and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma drills it to the left of the bowler, where Jofra Archer stops it well on the follow-through.

Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run.Full and wide on off, Stubbs extends his hands and eases the drive towards extra cover. It is cut off with a slide. Just a single.

Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, 1 run.Nearly sneaked through! A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a length, on off and middle. Sharma pushes out in front with a straight bat. Ekes out an inside edge through mid-wicket for one.

Jofra Archer to Ashutosh Sharma, Wide!Wide! Banged in short, over middle. Ashutosh Sharma ducks under it. Too high for the umpire's liking.

KL Rahul admonishes himself as he trudges off. Two new batters at the crease and RR have an opening. Ashutosh Sharma comes out to bat.

Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, OUT! c Donovan Ferreira b Jofra Archer.OUT! TAKEN! Jofra Archer strikes gold on his return, and once again, we see a wicket fall right after the break. Pitched up and on middle, there to be hit. KL Rahul clears his front leg to hit it over long on but his bat twists in his hands. He miscues the shot towards long on, where Donovan Ferreira settles under it and takes a fine catch. A superb knock from Rahul, but he will be kicking himself for getting out at the wrong time. 49 needed off 28 balls.

Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Four!FOUR! Great effort in the deep but it goes in vain! Fuller delivery, on off, KL Rahul looks to loft it away but his bottom hand comes off the bat. It flies wide of deep extra cover, where Ravi Bishnoi covers a long way to his right and dives to push the ball back inside. However, the spin on the ball takes it towards the rope, and Dasun Shanaka, who runs from long off to help, grabs it, but not before the ball touches the ropes.

Strategic Break! Delhi Capitals will feel like they are ahead in the chase, and as long as KL Rahul is out there, they will be confident of getting the remaining runs. It has been a nicely calculated chase from DC so far, but they have to get over the line, which has been the hardest part for them this season. Rajasthan Royals will be looking to get rid of Rahul and put pressure on the middle order, and with Miller not playing, they can make a game out of this one, but they have to pick up wickets. Jofra Archer to bowl after the break. Dasun Shanaka has come as a substitute.

Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, 1 run.Excellent execution. Gets the yorker in, on middle. KL digs it out to wide long on and picks up a single. A wicket and 7 runs off the over.

Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run.Low full toss, on the pads. Stubbs flicks it through square leg and crosses over.

Tushar Deshpande to Tristan Stubbs, No run.Full and on off, that is driven straight back but it is stopped by Tushar Deshpande.

A fantastic review from RR, and they break the threatening partnership. Tristan Stubbs comes out to the middle now.

Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, OUT! c Dhruv Jurel b Tushar Deshpande.OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Rajasthan Royals get the review right. Wide yorker, flirting with the tramline. Rana drops his bat down on the ball but is beaten on the outside edge. Dhruv Jurel gathers it and goes up in an appeal, as does the bowler. Turned down by the umpire. There was a noise, but it seemed to be of the bat hitting the turf. Yashasvi Jaiswal is acting as the stand-in skipper in the absence of Riyan Parag. He has a word with the keeper and takes the review. There is a spike when the ball is next to the bat on the UltraEdge. It is only after the ball went past the blade that the bat made contact with the ground. The on-field decision is overturned, much to the delight of the RR camp. DC are 171/2, needing 55 runs in 33 balls.

Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, 1 run.Fuller and on middle, Rahul hits it down to long off for a single.

Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, 4 Byes.FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone! Deshpande tries to follow KL as he backs away. This is a length ball, outside the leg stump. Rahul looks to go up and over cover but is beaten on the outside edge. The ball sneaks past the leg pole and Dhruv Jurel is beaten to his left despite the dive.

Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, 1 run.Tight single! Low full toss, outside off, Rahul reaches out and knocks it in front of mid off before hustling to the other end. 18 runs off the over. 60 runs needed from 36 balls.

Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, No run.Full and outside off, KL cracks the drive but can't get it past extra cover.

Nandre Burger to KL Rahul, Six!SIX! Beautifully picked up! Burger switches to around the wicket and tries to cramp KL for room. Nandre ends up being too straight and dishes it out full in length. Rahul gets the front leg out of the way and whips it over square leg for a six. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

Nandre Burger to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Full and at the sticks at 142.1 kph, Nitish backs away, exposing all three stumps to drill it away on the off side. Mishits it off the inner half to long on for one.

Nandre Burger to Nitish Rana, Four!FOUR! Nicely done! Tighter line, on the off stump, on a good length. Rana anticipates the line and shuffles inside the line. He shovels it to the right of short fine leg and picks up a boundary.

Nandre Burger to Nitish Rana, Six!SIX! That is a lovely shot. Burger dishes it out on a length, on off. Rana is allowed to free his arms and with a clean swing of the arms, he goes inside out over extra cover for a biggie.

Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Rana was gone had the throw hit. Full and on middle, this is firmly driven to mid off. Nitish sets off immediately after playing the shot. A clean pick-up by Yashasvi Jaiswal before firing a throw at the bowling end. He misses and Rana gets away with it. Tushar Deshpande should have gotten up to the stumps quickly there but was not alert to the situation.

Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, 1 run.Tushar keeps it nice and full, not allowing Rahul to get under the ball. KL swings hard to force it away on the off side. Miscues it off the inner half to wide mid on for a run.

Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, 2 runs.Direct hit! Nails the yorker, does Deshpande, on the off pole. KL jams it out in front of mid off and scampers across for a quick single. There is a direct hit at the bowling end but Rahul is home. The ball deflects off the stumps towards wide mid on, allowing the batters to run one more.

Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, Leg bye.Fuller delivery on the leg stump line, Nitish Rana steps across to flick but misses, as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken. Deshpande appeals for the LBW and looks very interested but it is turned down.

Tushar Deshpande to Nitish Rana, Four!FOUR! Cleverly done! Tushar Deshpande bangs this into the pitch, slower as well, around off. Nitish Rana lets the ball go behind him, before upper-cutting it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande to KL Rahul, 1 run.Right in the blockhole, on middle, angling in, KL Rahul tucks it away through square leg for a single.

Tushar Deshpande is back on.

Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, Four!FOUR! A productive over for DC. 18 runs off it. Jadeja tries to push it across the left-hander. Keeps it around the tramline and the length is full. Rana walks across the stumps and extends his hands to smack it wide of deep extra cover for a boundary.

Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, No run.Across off, on a length, Rana reaches out in front for the sweep but fails to roll his wrists over the ball and misses to get rapped on the front pad.

Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, 1 run.Full and on off, Rahul pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, Six!SIX! All the way! This is dropped short by Jadeja, outside off, Rahul walks across a bit and spanks it with a horizontal bat towards long on. Jofra Archer is a few metres in off the ropes and just watches the ball sail over his head without making an attempt.

Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Full and around leg, Nitish clips it in front of deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, Six!SIX! Have some of that, says Nitish. Fired in, full and on middle. Rana sinks to a knee and nails the slog sweep way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Riyan Parag is off the field at the moment. He is receiving some treatment from the physio for cramps.

Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, 2 runs.FIFTY FOR RAHUL! His 3rd half century of the season to go with an unbeaten 152. Full and attacking the sticks, KL swings a bit too hard and loses his shape in the process. Gets it off the inner half of the bat to the left of long on for a brace. After playing the second fiddle to Pathum Nissanka in the Powerplay, he has picked up pace in the middle phase, and DC need him to keep going.

Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Very full, in line with the off pole. Nitish digs it out to the left of backward point and crosses over.

Brijesh Sharma to KL Rahul, 1 run.At pace, full and straight, this is drilled to long on for a single.

Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Pace off and into the surface, angled in at the leg stump. This does not rise much and Rana smears it through mid-wicket for a single.

Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, 2 runs.Full and outside off, Rana gets his hands through and cracks the drive through covers. Yashasvi Jaiswal at deep point moves to his left and dives to cut it off. Two runs taken.

Brijesh Sharma to Nitish Rana, No run.Missed out! From around the wicket, short and wide on off. Rana reaches out and flashes at it but fails to connect.

Halfway through the chase. DC have knocked off half the target and need another 113 runs. Brijesh Sharma has been brought back.

Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Another short delivery, on middle and leg, Nitish Rana tucks it through mid-wicket for one more. A wicket and just 5 runs off the over!

Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, 1 run.Shorter once more, outside off, KL Rahul cuts it through cover-point for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Nitish Rana, 1 run.Slows it up, shortish and on middle, Nitish Rana nudges it towards mid-wicket for another run.

A much-needed breakthrough for the home side. Nitish Rana comes out to the middle.

Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! lbw b Ravindra Jadeja.OUT! LBW! Ravindra Jadeja breaks the massive opening stand. He fires this one full and straight, attacking the stumps. Pathum Nissanka gets down on one knee, attempting the reverse sweep, but this is too full for that shot and the ball goes under the bat to hit the pad. There is a big shout for LBW, and the finger goes up. However, Nissanka takes the review after a chat with his partner, as Rahul thinks the impact may have been outside off. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the off stump. End of a fine knock from the Lankan, and DC are 110/1, chasing 226 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to KL Rahul, 1 run.Short again and outside off, KL Rahul punches it towards extra cover. Riyan Parag dives to his left but fails to stop it cleanly. They cross.

Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.Floated, short and around off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to long off for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Six!SIX! A majestic hit! Ravi Bishnoi serves this much quicker, full and on middle. KL Rahul moves a bit to the leg side to free his arms. He hits it straight as an arrow, dispatching it over the bowler's head for half a dozen more. 20 runs off the over.

Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, 2 runs.Shorter in length and outside off, KL Rahul reaches out and slaps it away wide of sweeper cover, where Tushar Deshpande dives to his left to save a couple of runs for his side.

Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Six!SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. KL Rahul backs away a bit, bends his back knee and launches it high and handsomely over the long on fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR DC.

Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, 2 runs.A googly, full and turning into leg, KL Rahul tucks it with soft hands through square leg and calls for the second. Pathum Nissanka responds, and the throw is at his end, but he puts in a good dive to make his ground.

Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, No run.Flatter, short and on off, KL Rahul tries to hit it too hard and stabs it to extra cover.

Ravi Bishnoi to KL Rahul, Four!FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up, full and around off, KL Rahul extends his arms to reach out for it, hits through the line and lifts it wide of long off for a boundary.

Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, Four!FOUR! There's that boundary! Ravindra Jadeja goes shorter and just outside off. Pathum Nissanka fetches it out from there and swats it between deep mid-wicket and long on for four runs. 138 runs needed from 72 balls.

Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, No run.Slows it up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it away to extra cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.Short again and on middle, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal moves quickly to his left and bends low to cut it off. Two more taken.