Delhi Capitals Stun Rajasthan Royals Despite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Blitz
NEW DELHI — The Delhi Capitals executed a dramatic run chase to defeat the Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, breaking their home losing streak in the IPL 2026 season. Despite a record-breaking performance from Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a massive middle-order collapse restricted Rajasthan to 193/8, setting the stage for Delhi’s successful 194-run pursuit.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Royals | 193/8 (20 overs) | Riyan Parag (51), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46); Mitchell Starc (4/40) |
| Delhi Capitals | 194/6 (19.2 overs) | KL Rahul (56), Abhishek Porel (51), Axar Patel (34*) |
Sooryavanshi Claims Indian Six-Hitting Record
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his explosive run of form, scoring 46 runs off 21 balls. His innings featured five boundaries and three sixes. With his third maximum of the night, the batting sensation reached 43 sixes for the season, breaking Abhishek Sharma’s 2024 record (42) for the most sixes by an Indian batter in a single IPL season.
Before the match, Sooryavanshi’s tally of 440 runs placed him outside the top 10 for the Orange Cap. His rapid 46 elevated him to sixth on the leaderboard. However, his momentum was cut short by 22-year-old Delhi seamer Madhav Tiwari, a dismissal that shifted the trajectory of the first innings.
Starc and Tiwari Trigger Royals Collapse
At 160/2 after 14 overs, the Royals were positioned for a total well past 220. Skipper Riyan Parag led the charge with a 26-ball 51, sharing a 72-run partnership with Dhruv Jurel. The Delhi Capitals bowling attack then initiated a severe batting collapse, conceding just 33 runs and taking six wickets in the final six overs.
- Madhav Tiwari: Finished with 2/27, removing both Sooryavanshi and Shubham Dubey.
- Mitchell Starc: Delivered a lethal spell of 4/40, striking three times in a single over to remove Parag, Donovan Ferreira, and Ravi Singh.
- Lungi Ngidi: Provided economical support with 2/24, utilizing slower variations on a gripping surface.
“Coming into this IPL season, I just thought that I’m gonna take in four or five variations with me and I’m gonna back them,” Tiwari said during the mid-innings break. “There was a bit of help from the wicket. It was gripping. I was just looking to put myself in a high-pressure situation in the nets, bowling to David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, and KL Rahul, which helped me figure out how to bowl against these batters.”
Capitals Survive Late Scare in Run Chase
Delhi’s response began flawlessly. Openers Abhishek Porel (51) and KL Rahul (56) established a 105-run foundation inside 10 overs. Once the opening pair fell, the chase faltered. Middle-order batters Sahil Parakh (9), Tristan Stubbs (4), and David Miller (9) were dismissed cheaply.
Rajasthan fast bowler Jofra Archer (2/35) applied intense pressure, dragging the Royals back into the contest. Requiring 35 runs off the final three overs, Parag handed the ball to Donovan Ferreira for the 18th over. The decision backfired as the Capitals scored 16 runs, relieving the required run rate. Following a 12-run 19th over, Delhi secured the victory with 10 runs off the first two balls of the 20th over, anchored by an unbeaten 34 from Axar Patel.
The loss marks a missed opportunity for the Rajasthan Royals, who remain active in the playoff race but squandered a dominant position with the bat.