IPL 2026: Returning Starc inspires Capitals to victory over Royals

Mitchell Starc and KL Rahul kept alive Delhi Capitals’ slim hopes of a top-four finish in the Indian Premier League with victory over in-form Rajasthan Royals.

Starc, playing in his first IPL game of the season, took the key wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal (6), Ravindra Jadeja (20) and Royals captain Riyan Parag (90) as the hosts batted first.

There was also a rare failure for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was bowled by New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson off just the second ball he faced.

However, more powerful hitting from South Africa’s Donovan Ferreira, who hit six sixes in his 14-ball 47*, gave the Royals late impetus and led them to 225-6.

The Capitals were given the perfect platform with a century stand by openers Pathum Nissanka (62) and Rahul (75), who was eventually dismissed by England’s Jofra Archer (1-46 off four overs).

Nitish Rana clubbed 33 off 17 before Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma saw the Capitals home by seven wickets and with five balls to spare. (BBC)