Cricket News

RR vs DC IPL 2026: Predicted Playing XI for Match 62

1778916230094 RR Playing XI vs DC IPL 2026 Match 62

The High Stakes of Match 62

The IPL 2026 season is approaching its business end, and for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the intensity has never been higher. As they gear up for Match 62 against the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday, May 17, at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the atmosphere is electric. With 12 points currently on the board and three matches remaining, the Royals find themselves in a precarious fifth position, making this fixture a quintessential do-or-die battle for their playoff aspirations.

For the Delhi Capitals, the narrative is vastly different. Sitting seventh with 10 points, their campaign has largely been a struggle, and while their recent victory over PBKS provided a glimmer of hope, their mathematical path to the playoffs remains incredibly slim. Nevertheless, playing in front of their home crowd, the Capitals will be eager to play the role of the spoiler, aiming to disrupt the Royals’ momentum before they bow out of the tournament.

The Shadow of Riyan Parag’s Injury

The biggest question mark hanging over the Rajasthan camp is the status of captain Riyan Parag. Following a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for the humbling 77-run defeat against the Gujarat Titans, the team is yet to provide a definitive update. Should he remain unavailable, the Royals will be forced to adjust their tactical setup once again. The loss against GT was a wake-up call for the franchise, highlighting the need for immediate recalibration to sustain a serious push for the knockout stages.

READ:  Dressing-Room Turmoil: Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi Clash After Pakistan Test Defeat

RR Predicted Playing XI: Stability Amidst Pressure

Given the current bench strength and the high-pressure nature of the upcoming game, it is highly probable that the Rajasthan Royals will stick with their core group. The absence of depth on the bench means that the management is likely to trust their current personnel to deliver under lights in Delhi.

The Top Order

The opening partnership of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal remains the heartbeat of the RR lineup. The 15-year-old batting sensation, Sooryavanshi, has been a revelation, racking up 440 runs in 11 outings, including a memorable century. Their ability to provide a blistering start is vital for the team’s success. At number three, Dhruv Jurel is expected to take on the responsibility, providing stability and technical prowess to anchor the innings should an early wicket fall.

Middle Order and Finishing Duties

Shimron Hetmyer retains his spot in the middle order despite a lean patch, as the team management looks to keep faith in his explosive potential. He will be supported by the experienced Ravindra Jadeja and the hard-hitting Donovan Ferreira. Ferreira has proven to be an efficient asset, capable of clearing the ropes with ease in the death overs. Shubham Dubey is tipped to fill the void left by Parag, bringing his own brand of aggressive cricket to the middle order. Dasun Shanaka, with his wealth of international T20 experience, will be tasked with the finishing duties to round off the innings.

The Bowling Attack

Jofra Archer will continue to spearhead the fast-bowling department. With 15 wickets at an average of 24.33, his role is pivotal in curbing the opposition’s scoring rate. Tushar Deshpande is set to share the new ball, while Brijesh Sharma continues to earn the trust of the captaincy for his reliability. Spin duties will be led by Ravindra Jadeja, with the potential for the Royals to utilize their Impact Player options to inject further variety into the bowling attack.

READ:  Matheesha Pathirana Injury Update: KKR Pacer Exits Field After 8 Balls

RR Predicted Playing XI vs DC

  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • Dhruv Jurel (wk)
  • Shimron Hetmyer
  • Ravindra Jadeja
  • Donovan Ferreira
  • Shubham Dubey
  • Dasun Shanaka
  • Jofra Archer
  • Tushar Deshpande
  • Brijesh Sharma

Impact Player Options: Yash Raj Punja, Adam Milne, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ravi Singh remain the primary candidates to act as the Impact Player, depending on whether the team bats or bowls first.

As the stage is set at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the focus shifts to whether Rajasthan Royals can handle the pressure of the moment and secure the vital two points needed to keep their playoff dreams alive.

Julian Anand

Julian Anand is a senior cricket writer at ESPNcricinfo, known for his lyrical prose and deep-dive longform features on the sport’s unsung heroes. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, he began his career covering Delhi’s club and university circuits before joining the global cricket desk. Julian has a rare ability to humanise the game—whether chronicling a young pacer from the Maidan or revisiting a forgotten Test classic. He is especially respected for his technical breakdowns of fast bowling and his archival research into cricket history. His work has been recognised with the SJA British Sports Journalism Award and multiple internal honours at Cricinfo. When not at the press box, Julian mentors young sports writers and plays occasional league cricket as a medium-pacer.