Delhi Capitals head into Match 62 of IPL 2026 knowing defeat would virtually end their playoff hopes, while RR are looking to break back into the top four after slipping in recent weeks. However, with Delhi under a severe heatwave alert, conditions are expected to test players physically in what is already a high-pressure encounter.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi is expected to witness mostly sunny skies and strong hot winds on May 17, with no rain forecast for the evening fixture. The capital however, remains under a severe heatwave alert, with temperatures expected to touch 42°C during the day before dropping to around 30°C later in the evening.
While the 7:30 PM start will spare players from the peak afternoon heat, the residual conditions are still expected to make for a physically draining contest. Hydration, fatigue and cramping could all become significant factors across the innings.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium surface, meanwhile, is expected to remain flat and batter-friendly after baking under intense heat throughout the day. With little assistance likely for bowlers, another high-scoring contest could be on the cards, similar to the previous meeting between the two sides earlier this month.
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The stakes in this match are particularly high for Delhi Capitals. Sitting eighth on the table with 10 points from 12 matches, DC are effectively in must-win territory as they attempt to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. Their net run rate of -0.993 also leaves them with almost no margin for error.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, are placed fifth with 12 points from 11 matches. After a strong start to the campaign, RR have slipped out of the top four following three defeats in their last four games and will be eager to revive momentum with the race for the playoff spots heating up.
Delhi enter the game after a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on May 11, with 22-year-old Madhav Tiwari putting in a Player of the Match performance. The seam-bowling all-rounder grabbed 2/40 with the ball to help contain PBKS to 210 and then scored a blistering 18* off 8 to help seal the win with an over to spare.
Rajasthan, on the other hand, have not played since their heavy 77-run defeat to Gujarat Titans on May 9, a result that halted their early-season momentum. After opting to bowl first, RR conceded a heavy target of 230 and were then bowled out for just 152 despite a blazing start provided by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (36 off 16 balls).
The two teams last met on May 1 in Jaipur in one of the highest-scoring games of the season. RR posted 225/6 after Riyan Parag smashed 90 off 50 balls, while Donovan Ferreira put in a monster performance against his former team, scoring an unbeaten 47* off just 14 balls.
Delhi, however, chased down the target to win by seven wickets with five balls remaining as KL Rahul's 75 off 40 balls led the pursuit alongside valuable contributions from Pathum Nissanka (62 off 33) and Nitish Rana (33 off 17).
With both teams still firmly involved in the playoff race and another batting-friendly pitch expected in Delhi, Sunday's contest could once again turn into a run-heavy shootout under punishing conditions.
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