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

The Stakes are High: DC vs RR at Arun Jaitley Stadium

The 2026 Indian Premier League continues to deliver high-octane entertainment as the Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare to host the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 62. Scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, this fixture is a make-or-break affair for both franchises. With the business end of the tournament looming, every ball counts in the race for a top-four finish.

Delhi Capitals: Fighting for Survival

The Delhi Capitals have endured a challenging campaign, currently sitting in seventh place with five wins from twelve matches. Under the leadership of Axar Patel, the team knows that anything less than a victory will effectively signal the end of their playoff aspirations. The reliance on KL Rahul—who has been in stellar form with 477 runs at an average of 43—has been a constant, but the team desperately needs support from players like Abishek Porel and their middle-order powerhouses including Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Nitish Rana.

Bowling consistency remains a primary concern for the Capitals. Despite the presence of international stars such as Mitchell Starc and Lungi Ngidi, the unit has leaked runs at critical junctures. Furthermore, Kuldeep Yadav’s modest tally of seven wickets in eleven games highlights the struggle they have faced in controlling the middle overs.

Rajasthan Royals: Reclaiming Momentum

Rajasthan, once the dominant force in the standings, has hit a severe slump, dropping five of their last seven matches to slip to sixth place. The team will be led by Yashasvi Jaiswal in this outing, who steps in for Riyan Parag. The Royals’ success hinges heavily on the explosive opening partnership of Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. However, the lack of contributions from the middle order, specifically from experienced campaigners like Shimron Hetmyer and Ravindra Jadeja, has hampered their recent efforts.

On the bowling front, Jofra Archer continues to lead the attack with pace and accuracy, supported by Tushar Deshpande and Brijesh Sharma. The return of Ravi Bishnoi to the spin attack could provide the necessary penetration against a shaky Delhi batting lineup.

Venue Insight: Arun Jaitley Stadium

Expect a high-scoring encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The surface is famously flat and firm, favoring batters who can utilize the short boundaries and the quick outfield. While the initial stages favor the batsmen, spinners often find slight assistance as the game progresses. With an average first-innings score hovering around 172, spectators should prepare for a run-fest. The toss will likely favor the team choosing to field first, given the prevailing trend in the 2026 season.

Weather and Toss Expectations

Conditions in New Delhi will be hot and demanding, with temperatures expected to reach 36-38°C during the evening start. The dry heat will test the endurance of the players, though low humidity levels might provide some relief. As seen in previous matches at this venue, teams winning the toss are expected to opt for chasing to capitalize on the dew and the batting-friendly track.

Fantasy Cricket Picks

For those building their Dream11 squads, prioritize players in form. For Delhi, KL Rahul is an essential pick given his consistent run-scoring, while Axar Patel remains a reliable source for both wickets and economical overs. David Miller provides valuable stability in the middle order. On the Rajasthan side, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal are crucial for power-play dominance. Jofra Archer remains the go-to bowler for fantasy points, particularly in the death overs.

Final Match Prediction

While the Rajasthan Royals possess an explosive top order, the Delhi Capitals seem better equipped to handle the specific conditions of the Arun Jaitley Stadium, provided their spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel can capitalize on the surface. We predict a Delhi Capitals victory, driven by the need to win and the home crowd advantage. However, the game remains wide open depending on the early exchanges in the power play.