KL Rahul gave Delhi Capitals' IPL playoff push a powerful lift on Friday night, anchoring a superb chase as the visitors hunted down 226 to beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. For the second time in less than a week, Rajasthan failed to defend a 225-plus total on their home ground.
Six days after Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 229 here, Delhi produced another ruthless pursuit, finishing on 226/3 with five balls to spare.
On a surface that again offered little comfort to the bowlers, Rahul's 75 off 40 balls was the innings that gave Delhi control and composure. Pathum Nissanka supplied the early violence with a 33-ball 62 while Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs completed the job with an unbeaten 49-run stand after Rajasthan briefly threatened a late twist.
Delhi's Dominant Chase
Chasing a daunting 226, Delhi began as if the target was merely a number. Nissanka, compact but explosive, took the attack to the Royals' bowlers from the outset. He struck six fours and three sixes, racing to his half-century off 23 balls and ensuring Delhi ended the Powerplay at a commanding 70/0.
Rahul, initially content to play second fiddle, gradually moved through the gears. The opening pair added 110 in just 9.3 overs, breaking the back of the chase before Rajasthan could settle into their defensive plans. Nissanka's dismissal came against the run of play. Attempting a reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, he was trapped in front by a straighter delivery. But by then Delhi were already well ahead of the asking rate. At 113/1 after 10 overs, the Capitals had the chase under firm control.
Nitish Rana then kept the tempo high with a brisk 33 off 17 balls, ensuring Rajasthan could not claw their way back through the middle overs. Rana eventually fell while chasing a wide delivery from Tushar Deshpande, edging behind to leave Delhi 171/2 in the 15th over.
Parag's Fighting Knock
Delhi's clinical chase overshadowed a stirring captain's innings from Royals captain Riyan Parag earlier. Under pressure after a lean run and copping a penalty for vaping inside the dressing room, Parag responded with one of the finest innings of his IPL career. Walking in at 12/2 in the second over, he made 90 off 50 balls to lift Rajasthan to 225/6 after they had chosen to bat first.
The Royals had started disastrously. Yashasvi Jaiswal launched Mitchell Starc over square leg for six, but the Australian left-arm pacer struck back immediately, dismissing him caught and bowled. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi began with a crisp boundary but was bowled by Kyle Jamieson for four. From 12/2, Parag and Dhruv Jurel rebuilt the innings with a 102-run stand for the third wicket. Jurel's 42 off 30 balls provided stability while Parag mixed restraint with clean power. Parag reached his half-century off 32 deliveries.
However, Jaipur's batting-friendly surface had the final say.
