IPL 2026 | Match 43: RR vs DC | Preview and Predictions

Two teams struggling to find consistency and looking to cement their place in the play-off spots face off in Match 43 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) hosting the Delhi Capitals (DC).

The Royals come into this game on the back of a big win over the Punjab Kings, thus becoming the first team to beat PBKS, while the Capitals were humiliated at home by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and will look to bounce back against RR. 

For the game, here we present our preview and predictions. 

Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 43: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals | 19:30 IST, May 1st

After starting the season with four wins on the trot, RR seem like they are stumbling yet again, having won only two of the next five games.

For the majority of the season, RR have depended on their top three to do the bulk of the scoring, though in their last game, once Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi were sent back, Dhruv Jurel failed to get going, and captain Riyan Parag threw away his wicket (again), it was a blitzkrieg from Donovan Ferreira with support from Shubham Dubey that saw them home.

This matters considerably because it’s the first time their lower order has stepped up and got the team home; the Royals’ management will expect more of the same going forward. Captain Parag’s form remains the only concern for the Royals. Now that the lower order has got some runs, Parag needs to take responsibility and step up before it gets too late.

RR’s bowling has been carried by their two quicks, Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. While Burger has been expensive, Archer has been leading the wickets tally. In Jaipur, as well as at other relatively bigger grounds, spinners Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Punja, and veteran Ravindra Jadeja will be key.

The Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, come into this game after being bundled out for a paltry 75, blown away at home by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood.

The DC batting unit, barring KL Rahul, Nitish Rana, and Tristan Stubbs, has not fired at all. Sameer Rizvi has been unable to capitalise on his early form, while Axar Patel’s own form with the bat is also a cause of concern. David Miller has been DC’s go-to man at the death, but the team need stability at the top.

Young Sahil Parakh announced himself in the IPL with a golden duck, though they do have other options in Prithvi Shaw and Abhishek Porel who can partner Rahul at the top.

Lungi Ngidi has been DC’s standout bowler for the season, though his head injury in the game against the Punjab Kings ruled him out of the RCB game. With Ngidi’s participation uncertain at the time of writing, DC will need the likes of Dushmantha Chameera and T Natarajan to step up, while the spin attack of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will also be crucial for them in Jaipur.

Languishing in seventh place and at the risk of missing out on the play-offs, Axar Patel and Co really need to step up, especially with the bat. 

The Jaipur ground this year has seen only one game, which means it’s relatively fresh and might offer something to the quick bowlers early on, while generally being a high-scoring ground.

The Royals would ideally have been favourites for the win here, but given their stronger and more experienced spin attack and batting depth, we’re going with a surprise pick and backing the Delhi Capitals to win this game.

Fantasy XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan

Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Winners Prediction: Delhi Capitals