Rajasthan Royals (RR) have had far too much time to think about what has gone wrong. Playing two matches in more than two weeks is unusual in the IPL, but RR perhaps needed this break more than anyone else. They have had four defeats in their last six games, which have dragged them out of the top four, despite once looking like genuine top-two contenders.
Now comes a crucial stretch. If results elsewhere go, their way and RR beat Delhi Capitals on Sunday, they could jump right back into the playoff spots. More importantly, they finally have their captain back.
Riyan Parag is expected to return after missing the Gujarat Titans game with a hamstring niggle. RR badly missed balance in that heavy defeat. Before the injury, Parag had finally shown signs of life with a stunning 90 off 50 against the same Delhi side earlier this month.
Riyan Parag boost for RR
Parag’s season has been strange. For the first month, nothing worked. The new permanent RR captain looked weighed down by responsibility, managing only 88 runs in his first eight games at a strike rate barely above 112.ThenThen
Then came that innings against DC in Jaipur.The 24-year-old attacked pace, spin and the short ball with confidence again, smashing 90 off 50 balls and single-handedly dragging RR to a massive total. It was a much needed innings that could restart his season before the hamstring issue interrupted momentum.
Parag at IPL 2026
- Matches: 10
- Runs: 207
- Average: 23.00
- SR: 143.75
Parag has already returned to batting in the nets and is expected to slot straight back into the XI. The thing for RR is that their batting still has enough firepower to hurt any side. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the stories of the season. The teenager already has 40 sixes this season, including 30 in the powerplay alone.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s form, however, has dipped badly after a flying start. Jaiswal made 183 runs in his first four innings this season at an average above 90. In his next seven innings, he managed only 132 runs at 18.90.
Donovan Ferreira’s finishing has also become a serious weapon. Despite barely batting in the death overs, he already has 11 sixes between overs 17 and 20, the most in the league.
What about RR bowling group?
RR are unlikely to make too many bowling changes despite the long break. There would be decision to be made between Ravi Bishnoi and Yash Raj Punja. Bishnoi has been inconsistent after a good start to the IPL. Meanwhile, Punja is an exceptional talent with his height being a major advantage.
Jofra Archer remains their biggest wicket-taking threat, especially against Delhi. He has taken 10 wickets in six IPL games against DC at a strike rate of just 13.9.
Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs DC
- 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
- 2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- 3. Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- 4. Riyan Parag
- 5. Shimron Hetmyer ✈️
- 6. Donovan Ferriera ✈️
- 7. Ravindra Jadeja
- 8. Shubham Dubey
- 9. Jofra Archer ✈️
- 10. Tushar Deshpande
- 11. Nandre Burger ✈️
- 12. Yash Raj Punja/Ravi Bishnoi
RR still control their playoff fate. But another defeat after this long break could leave them hanging by a thread heading into the final week of the league stage.
