Rahul, Nissanka orchestrate DC's highest chase in IPL history

Brisk half-centuries from openers Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul powered the Delhi Capitals to their highest chase in IPL history, snapping their three-match losing streak in Jaipur on Friday (May 1). Riyan Parag's captain's knock – a stroke-filled 90 – and Donovan Ferreira's fiery cameo of 47* helped Rajasthan Royals to a strong 225/6 despite losing their explosive openers cheaply. However, Rahul stitched a 110-run opening stand with Nissanka and another worth 61 with Nitish Rana to set the platform for a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 225/6 in 20 overs (Riyan Parag 90, Donovan Ferreira 47*, Dhruv Jurel 42; Mitchell Starc 3-40) lost to Delhi Capitals 226/3 in 19.5 overs (KL Rahul 75, Pathum Nissanka 62, Nitish Rana 33) by 7 wickets

Delhi's new-ball attack restricts RR

Mitchell Starc was welcomed with a first-ball six from Yashasvi Jaiswal, but the opener top-edged a full toss next ball to be caught by the bowler. At the other end, Sooryavanshi hit a first-ball four off Kyle Jamieson before being cleaned up next delivery. RR managed a respectable 56/2 only due to a 20-run final over of the Powerplay.

Despite getting the openers cheaply, Delhi couldn't contain in the middle overs. Parag announced his return to form, taking attack to Jamieson with a 6, 4, 6 in the sixth over. He combined with Jurel for a 102-run partnership.

When Kuldeep was miserly, Parag counterattacked with consecutive maximums on his way to a 32-ball fifty. He continued against DC's pacers, hitting Jamieson for a hat-trick of boundaries to move to 90.

Ferreira fire at the death

Starc returned at death to send back both Parag and Jadeja in the same over, but Ferreira turned on the heat with a 14-ball 47, including half a dozen sixes. He flipped Kuldeep's spell with three sixes in four balls in the 18th over, then dispatched Starc and Natarajan at the death.

DC showcase their best in batting Powerplay

For the first time this season, the opening partnership survived the six overs, putting up their second-best Powerplay score ever. Nissanka, back after being dropped last match, took to Jofra Archer early, smashing three fours and a six across his opening spell. He then dispatched Nandre Burger for sixes at either end, racing to a 23-ball fifty by the end of fielding restrictions as DC reached 78/0.

Rahul, Nitish at it again

Rahul switched gears against Ravi Bishnoi with a four and two sixes to take DC past 100 in the ninth over. Jadeja dismissed Nissanka, but Rahul brought up his 27-ball fifty before he and Rana tore into the veteran spinner with an 18-run 12th over. They stitched a 61-run stand, forcing Burger out of the attack and taking DC past 150 by the 14th over.

RR late strikes delay the inevitable

Deshpande and Archer had Rana and Rahul in succeeding overs, but the ask was down to 49 off 4.4 overs. Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs combined for an unbroken 49-run stand, wrapping up the chase with five balls to spare.

Delhi return home for their game against Chennai Super Kings on May 5. Royals play next against Gujarat Titans at home on May 9.