Rajasthan Royals (RR) will field Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jofra Archer, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Delhi Capitals (DC) rely on KL Rahul, Kyle Jamieson, and Kuldeep Yadav in Match 43 of IPL 2026 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Currently, RR sit 4th with six wins from nine matches after ending PBKS’s unbeaten streak, whereas DC have slipped to 7th with just three wins and a humiliating three-match losing streak. Although RR carry momentum, DC were bowled out for just 75 against RCB in their last game, making this a must-win encounter to keep their playoff hopes alive.
RR Playing 11 Today
Because RR chased down 223 against PBKS to end the table-toppers’ unbeaten run, confidence is sky-high. Accordingly, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continue as the explosive opening pair, with Sooryavanshi’s impact sub role becoming a regular feature.
Furthermore, Dhruv Jurel keeps wickets and bats at No. 3, while captain Riyan Parag played a key cameo against PBKS that could serve as a turning point for his inconsistent season. Additionally, Dasun Shanaka replaces Shimron Hetmyer, adding all-round depth with both bat and ball.
On the bowling front, Jofra Archer continues to lead the attack with consistent powerplay wickets. Moreover, Nandre Burger adds South African pace, while Ravindra Jadeja provides spin all-round balance. Besides that, Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Punia complete the bowling unit for this game.
RR Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Dasun Shanaka, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punia.
DC Playing 11 Today
Since DC were bowled out for just 75 against RCB, major changes are expected. Consequently, Abishek Porel comes in as wicketkeeper, while Kyle Jamieson replaces Lungi Ngidi to add height and bounce on the Jaipur surface.
Besides that, KL Rahul moves to a specialist batting role alongside Nitish Rana and Sameer Rizvi in the top order. Additionally, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs handle the death overs, while captain Axar Patel anchors the middle with his left-arm spin all-round skills.
In terms of bowling, Kuldeep Yadav remains DC’s trump card on the Jaipur surface. Moreover, Mukesh Kumar handles the new ball, while Vipraj Nigam adds leg-spin depth. However, T Natarajan drops to the impact player role, which weakens DC’s death-overs bowling significantly.
DC Predicted XI: Abishek Porel (WK), KL Rahul, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Kyle Jamieson, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact Player Picks for Both Sides
RR Impact Sub: Shubham Dubey
Since RR’s middle order fired against PBKS, Shubham Dubey becomes the natural batting impact sub. Specifically, his power-hitting ability adds depth to the lower order, and therefore gives Parag an extra weapon if the chase demands quick runs in the death overs.
DC Impact Sub: T Natarajan
Similarly, T Natarajan offers DC a left-arm death-overs specialist from the bench. Because Jamieson replaces Ngidi in the starting XI, Natarajan’s yorkers also give Axar Patel the option to bring him in if DC bat first and need a bowling reinforcement later.
Key Players to Watch in Match 43
Firstly, the battle between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Kyle Jamieson in the powerplay could define the game, since Sooryavanshi strikes at over 234 while Jamieson’s height generates steep bounce. Similarly, Kuldeep Yadav versus Riyan Parag in the middle overs promises a spin duel that could swing the contest.
| Player | Team | Role | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR | Opener | 184+ runs this season; fastest IPL fifty (13 balls); explosive left-hander |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | Opener / Impact | 500+ runs in season; SR 234; youngest to score IPL century |
| Jofra Archer | RR | Pace Spearhead | Powerplay wicket in 5+ innings; consistently hitting 145 kmph |
| Ravindra Jadeja | RR | All-rounder | Batting + bowling depth; economical middle overs; experienced |
| KL Rahul | DC | Batter | 515+ runs in last 10 games; 152 vs PBKS; DC’s top scorer |
| Kuldeep Yadav | DC | Left-arm Spinner | Effective on turning surfaces; DC’s trump card in middle overs |
| Kyle Jamieson | DC | Pacer | Tall, bouncy; new addition to XI; steep bounce on Jaipur surface |
Head-to-Head Record: RR vs DC
Across 30 IPL meetings, RR and DC are perfectly locked at 15 wins each. Notably, this 15-15 deadlock makes RR vs DC the most balanced rivalry in IPL history, with neither side holding even a one-game advantage.
| Category | RR | DC |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 30 | 30 |
| Wins | 15 | 15 |
| Record at Jaipur | 5 wins (7 games) | 2 wins (7 games) |
| Highest Score | 222/2 (Buttler 116, 2022) | 215 |
| Most Runs | Ajinkya Rahane (611) | Rishabh Pant (400) |
| Most Wickets | R Ashwin (11) | Amit Mishra (20) |
| Last Meeting | 2025 Super Over (DC won) | 2025 Super Over (DC won) |
Additionally, the 2025 Super Over thriller at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was the first-ever Super Over between these sides, with DC nicking the win. However, RR’s 5-2 record at Jaipur heavily favours them in tonight’s encounter.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Firstly, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium hosted its first IPL 2026 game when SRH chased 229 with five wickets and nine balls to spare. Furthermore, the surface traditionally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, although the SRH game suggests a flatter deck awaits tonight.
Secondly, the Jaipur weather forecast shows extreme heat with a high of 40°C, cooling to around 32°C by match time. Consequently, there is no chance of rain, but heavy dew will arrive during the second innings, making bowling at the death extremely difficult.
Besides that, bowlers will need to be excellent with their execution, since the room for error is negligible on this flat surface. As a result, the captain winning the toss will almost certainly bowl first to chase under the dew.
Match Prediction: Who Wins Today?
Rajasthan Royals enter as clear favourites, especially since they hold a dominant 5-2 record at Jaipur and carry the momentum of ending PBKS’s unbeaten streak. Specifically, RR’s explosive top order with Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal gives them a massive powerplay advantage over DC’s misfiring bowling unit.
On the other hand, DC are in genuine crisis after being bowled out for 75 against RCB. However, KL Rahul’s individual brilliance (152 vs PBKS) shows DC can still produce match-winning performances if even one batter fires.
As for the toss, the captain winning the flip will bowl first to exploit the dew. Ultimately, RR are predicted to win this contest at their Jaipur fortress, and therefore a DC loss would significantly reduce their chances of reaching the playoffs.
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Final Word
To sum up, the RR vs DC Match 43 pits a confident home side against a team in freefall at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium. If Sooryavanshi fires in the powerplay, then DC’s bowlers face a nightmare Friday evening in Jaipur.
Otherwise, Rahul’s form and Jamieson’s bounce could make this a closer contest. Either way, this match carries massive playoff implications, and DC cannot afford another collapse if they want to stay in the race.
