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Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals: Predicted XI for IPL 2026 Match 62

Devansh Cox · · 3 min read
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The Playoff Landscape for Delhi Capitals

The IPL 2026 season has been an arduous journey for the Delhi Capitals. With the team currently sitting on 10 points after 12 matches, the math for a playoff qualification has become increasingly precarious. Even with a perfect finish, reaching 14 points may not be enough to secure a top-four spot. However, pride remains at stake as the Axar Patel-led side prepares to face a formidable Rajasthan Royals outfit looking to solidify their own postseason standing.

Delhi Capitals strongest XI Vs RR

Building on Momentum

Despite their challenging position, the Capitals are coming off a high-spirited win against the Punjab Kings. This victory has injected a sense of belief back into the dugout, suggesting that the team may look to maintain continuity rather than opting for wholesale changes. The management faces the delicate task of balancing the need to win with the strategic imperative of refining their squad for the future.

The Opening Core: Rahul, Porel, and Parakh

The top order remains the heartbeat of the Delhi batting unit. KL Rahul, known for his explosive strike rate exceeding 180 this season, remains a pivotal figure despite a recent dip in form. The team will be banking on him to anchor the innings against the Rajasthan Royals. Partnering with him is the dynamic Abishek Porel, a player capable of dismantling bowling attacks in the power play. Completing this trio is young talent Sahil Parakh, who provided flashes of brilliance in the previous match and has earned the trust of the coaching staff to continue his aggressive approach.

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Middle Order and All-Rounders

The middle order has seen a resurgence, particularly with the return of David Miller to the run-scoring charts. Miller’s ability to anchor a tricky chase was instrumental in the win over Punjab, and his presence provides much-needed stability. Tristan Stubbs, despite a lower-than-expected strike rate of 129, is expected to retain his position at number four. The team management views him as an essential component and believes he is only one solid innings away from recapturing his best form. Captain Axar Patel, who contributed vital runs in the last game, will lead the all-round duties alongside the emerging Madhav Tiwari, who provides depth with his ability to strike the ball cleanly in the final overs.

The Bowling Attack

The bowling department is set to remain consistent, with a dual-seam strategy expected to continue. Auqib Nabi, who showcased excellent resilience by bouncing back from a tough start in his previous outing, will join the reliable Mukesh Kumar in the seam department. The international duo of Mitchell Starc and Lungi Ngidi will lead the pace battery. Their performance within the power play will be critical, especially as they look to contain the dangerous Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of the Rajasthan Royals.

Predicted XI for Match 62

The Delhi Capitals are likely to head into the match with the following lineup:

  • KL Rahul
  • Abishek Porel
  • Sahil Parakh
  • Tristan Stubbs
  • David Miller
  • Axar Patel (c)
  • Madhav Tiwari
  • Auqib Nabi
  • Lungi Ngidi
  • Mitchell Starc
  • Mukesh Kumar

Impact Player Options: Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Sameer Rizvi, T Natarajan, and Pathum Nissanka remain available to provide tactical flexibility depending on how the pitch behaves and the match situation unfolds.

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As the Capitals look to play the role of the ultimate party spoiler, all eyes will be on whether this balanced XI can deliver a performance that keeps their slim playoff hopes alive while testing the mettle of the Rajasthan Royals.

Devansh Cox

Devansh Cox is the chief cricket writer for Dawn, Pakistan's leading English-language daily, where he covers the national team, the Pakistan Super League, and the socio-political undercurrents of the sport. With a family heritage tracing back to the British Raj and strong ties to the UK, Cox brings a unique cross-cultural lens to his reporting, often examining the experiences of South Asian cricketers in English county circuits. A Karachi native, he is known for his technical analysis of fast bowling and his deep access to team insiders. His work has been cited by the ICC and the BBC, and he is a regular guest on Test Match Special’s Pakistan coverage.

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