Rajasthan Royals bat first against Delhi Capitals as Starc, Nissanka included in Match 43
Synopsis
Rajasthan Royals seized the toss advantage and elected to bat on a patchy Jaipur pitch in Match 43, with Ravi Bishnoi added to the lineup. Delhi Capitals countered with the inclusion of Mitchell Starc and Pathum Nissanka, signalling a shift in their strategy as captain Axar Patel called for a return to basics after a rough patch in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat first in Match 43 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium , Jaipur on 1 May 2026 .
Riyan Parag cited the pitch as "patchy," prompting Ravi Bishnoi to be included and Dasun Shanaka named as impact substitute.
Delhi Capitals brought in Mitchell Starc and Pathum Nissanka ; Dushmantha Chameera and David Miller ruled out.
Axar Patel stressed the need to "go back to basics" and show hunger as DC look to turn their campaign around.
SRH recently chased 230 at the same venue, suggesting the pitch remains batting-friendly despite surface concerns.
Rajasthan Royals, champions of the inaugural IPL edition, won the toss and elected to bat first against Delhi Capitals in Match 43 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday, 1 May. The decision came after Riyan Parag, Royals captain, assessed the pitch as unusually patchy, prompting tactical adjustments to the batting order.
Rajasthan's lineup tweaks
Parag confirmed that Ravi Bishnoi has been brought into the playing XI, while all-rounder Dasun Shanaka was named as an impact substitute. Shubham Dubey retained his place in the starting lineup. "I don't think it's the usual Jaipur wicket. It's a little patchy as well," Parag said, explaining the rationale behind the changes.
Delhi's changes and strategy
Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals captain, confirmed multiple changes to his squad, bringing in fast bowler Mitchell Starc and opening batter Pathum Nissanka. Injuries and combination considerations ruled out Dushmantha Chameera, Sahil (who suffered a neck spasm), and David Miller, who makes way for Nissanka as the fourth overseas player. Ashutosh Sharma replaces Miller in the middle order.
Patel's message on returning to form
Patel stressed the need to reset after a difficult stretch in the tournament. "You have to go back to basics. Every day is a new day in this tournament," he said. He noted that Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased 230 at the same venue recently, suggesting the pitch remains favorable for batting. "Your body language is important; it is necessary to show that hunger," Patel added, signalling the urgency to arrest the team's campaign trajectory.
Playing elevens confirmed
Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (c), Ashutosh Sharma, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi.
What's at stake
With Rajasthan opting to bat on a surface described as patchy, the outcome will likely hinge on how well the openers Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi navigate the early overs. Delhi's inclusion of Starc provides a fresh pace option to exploit any inconsistencies in the pitch. Both sides are eyeing crucial points as the tournament enters its business end.
Point of View
Rajasthan's decision to bat gains credibility; if it doesn't, the move looks conservative given that SRH chased 230 there recently. Axar's inclusion of Starc is a signal that Delhi recognizes they need to shake things up. The real test is whether fresh faces translate into changed outcomes, or if the team's recent struggles persist.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rajasthan Royals elect to bat first?
Captain Riyan Parag cited the Jaipur pitch as unusually patchy, which prompted the decision to bat first and avoid chasing on a potentially unpredictable surface.
Which players have been added to Delhi Capitals' XI?
Mitchell Starc and Pathum Nissanka have been included in the Delhi Capitals lineup. Starc replaces Dushmantha Chameera, while Nissanka comes in as the fourth overseas player, with David Miller making way.
Why is Ravi Bishnoi playing for Rajasthan Royals?
Ravi Bishnoi has been brought into the Rajasthan Royals XI as part of tactical adjustments following the assessment of the Jaipur pitch as patchy. He replaces another spinner in the original lineup.
What did Axar Patel say about Delhi Capitals' recent form?
Axar Patel stressed the need to return to basics and show hunger, emphasizing that every day in the tournament is new and the team must focus on staying present and repeating what has worked well previously.
