Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 Match 62: Preview, Prediction, Fantasy Tips

Sagar Thapa · 17/05/2026 · 4 min read

delhi capitals vs rajasthan royals match 62 17 05 2026

The High-Stakes Clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season reaches a boiling point this Sunday, May 17, as the Delhi Capitals (DC) host the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 62. As the tournament enters its final group stage stretch, every delivery becomes critical, and for both sides, the margin for error has effectively vanished.

Delhi Capitals: Fighting to Stay Alive

The road for the Delhi Capitals has been fraught with inconsistency. Currently sitting in seventh place with five wins from twelve matches, the side led by Axar Patel is staring at a mathematical miracle. To keep their flickering playoff aspirations burning, they must secure victories in their final two fixtures. The pressure is immense, yet it often brings out the best in talented rosters. KL Rahul has been the standout performer, accumulating 477 runs at an impressive average of 43, providing stability at the top. However, the team requires more from the middle order, including Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Nitish Rana. On the bowling front, the presence of veterans like Mitchell Starc and Lungi Ngidi has not yielded the expected dominance, while Kuldeep Yadav remains under pressure to regain his wicket-taking form.

Rajasthan Royals: Seeking Redemption

The Rajasthan Royals find themselves in a precarious position after a mid-season slump. Despite a blistering start that saw them topple heavyweights like the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, they have lost five of their last seven outings. Now in sixth place, the Royals are desperate to rediscover their winning formula. Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to lead the side in the absence of Riyan Parag, hoping to reignite the form that saw him become a focal point of the team’s early success. The batting lineup, featuring the likes of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer, and Ravindra Jadeja, must transition from promising starts to match-winning totals. Jofra Archer continues to be the spearhead of the bowling unit, supported by Tushar Deshpande and a likely returning Ravi Bishnoi.

READ: IPL 2026: Josh Hazlewood's Death Over Masterclass Propels RCB into Playoffs

Venue and Conditions: What to Expect

The Arun Jaitley Stadium is renowned for being a batter’s paradise. The surface is typically firm and flat, ideal for strokemaking, with short boundaries further favoring the hitters. While the average first-innings score of 172 suggests a high-scoring encounter, the pitch often offers some grip to spinners during the middle overs. Given the extreme heat in Delhi, with evening temperatures hovering between 36-38°C, humidity will be a factor, though the heat itself will test the players’ endurance throughout the 40 overs.

Tactical Insights and Predictions

The powerplay will likely dictate the outcome of this match. Rajasthan’s top order, led by Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi, is statistically one of the strongest in the early overs. Conversely, the Delhi Capitals must navigate this period without losing early wickets to stay competitive. Our analysis suggests that if the Delhi spinners, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, can exploit the surface effectively, they may tilt the scales in favor of the hosts. While the Rajasthan Royals possess immense individual talent, the urgency of the situation and the home advantage suggest a win for the Delhi Capitals.

Fantasy Cricket and Dream11 Picks

For fantasy enthusiasts, selecting the right core of players is vital for success in this fixture:

KL Rahul (DC): A consistent run-getter who is essential for any fantasy side given his current form.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR): A dynamic opening option who has been a constant scoring threat.
Axar Patel (DC): His all-round capability and role as a strike bowler make him a primary pick.
Jofra Archer (RR): The primary wicket-taking threat for the Royals who can provide crucial points in the death overs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): His explosive strike rate makes him a high-reward option at the top of the order.
David Miller (DC): A reliable middle-order anchor capable of finishing innings with high strike rates.

READ: Anamul Haque Bijoy's 80 Guides Mohammedan to Dominant DPL Victory

Ultimately, this match promises high drama. Whether you are backing the tactical nous of the Delhi Capitals or the explosive batting depth of the Rajasthan Royals, Match 62 is set to be a pivotal chapter in the 2026 IPL season.

Sagar Thapa

Sagar Thapa is a senior sports correspondent for The Kathmandu Post, regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of Nepal’s remarkable cricketing ascent. A graduate of Tribhuvan University, he started his career covering age‑group and university cricket long before Nepal’s national team gained ODI status. Sagar has since reported on every major milestone in Nepal’s journey—from World Cup Qualifiers to the rise of stars like Sandeep Lamichhane in global T20 leagues. His deep understanding of spin bowling and the specific challenges faced by Associate Member nations underpins his widely read columns. Sagar’s work is known for its gentle authority, meticulously contextualising Nepal’s achievements within the broader international game. He has been honoured by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum and his own newspaper, and he remains passionately committed to telling the stories of the valleys, academies, and tournaments that are shaping the next generation of cricket in Nepal and beyond.