Now they return to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a venue that has brought them very little joy this season. One win in six home games and five straight defeats in Delhi underline how badly things have gone for the Capitals at their own ground. Their top order has consistently failed, with no team losing more wickets in the Powerplay this season. KL Rahul’s brief run of strong scores has also faded, leaving extra pressure on the middle order once again.
The rescue act in Dharamsala from Axar Patel, David Miller and Ashutosh Sharma offered some encouragement, particularly with Miller finally making an impact after spending part of the season out of the playing XI. Delhi’s bowling, though, remains a major concern. Apart from Lungi Ngidi, almost every bowler used this season has leaked runs heavily, while Kuldeep Yadav’s poor form has only increased the pressure on Axar Patel and the spin attack.
Rajasthan Royals are dealing with similar inconsistency. Their campaign has been energised by teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose fearless batting in the Powerplay has become one of the biggest stories of the season. Yet outside his brilliance, RR’s batting has looked vulnerable. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s form has dipped, Riyan Parag has struggled for runs and Dhruv Jurel has lacked consistency.
The Royals’ bowling attack has also declined sharply after a strong start to the season. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger have not maintained their early rhythm, leaving RR searching for answers at a crucial stage of the tournament. With both teams struggling for stability, Sunday’s encounter is less about dominance and more about survival in a rapidly tightening playoff race.