Delhi Capitals left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc insists his side still has plenty to fight for in the closing stretch of IPL 2026, even as their playoff hopes hang by a thread. Speaking ahead of their home clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, Starc called on the group to use the remaining games as a platform to prove themselves.

Where DC Stand in the Points Table

Delhi Capitals are placed eighth in the IPL 2026 standings with 10 points from 12 games. Their path to the playoffs is narrow but alive — they must win both remaining league matches to have any realistic chance of progressing. The fixture against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday is effectively a must-win.

What Starc Said Before the Match

'As each day goes past, we get a bit more percentage of a chance of getting through, and the way the game is going at the moment, it is good for us,' Starc said in a pre-match interaction with broadcasters. 'We still want to show what we can do on the field here as a group.'

Starc singled out KL Rahul as a standout performer this season, noting that several players who had come into the side had seized their opportunities. 'You never know what can happen in cricket,' he added, underlining the unpredictability that keeps DC's faint hopes alive.

Adapting to Delhi Conditions Is Key, Says Starc

With DC having already faced Rajasthan Royals away a couple of weeks earlier, Starc acknowledged both sides know each other well. He flagged the Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch as the decisive variable. 'Here in Delhi, they've changed the game on game. The key tonight is adapting to what's presented to us on this wicket, which is a little bit of an unknown,' he said. 'The team that adapts the quickest generally takes the advantage.'

How DC Spent the Break

Following their win over Punjab Kings in Dharamshala, the squad used the downtime to recharge. Starc revealed that a few players had managed a brief trip home, while others were spotted on the golf course. 'For me, I've just been watching the golf and the footy back home, just getting the old body right for tonight,' he said.

Archer on RR's Mindset and an Open Tournament

Rajasthan Royals pacer Jofra Archer also spoke ahead of the fixture, describing how RR used their recent break for team bonding — including pool volleyball and a dinner at a historic venue in Rajasthan. On his bowling, Archer kept it simple: 'You just got to run in every day and try to hit that good area. Some days it's gonna work for you. Some days it won't.'

RR are themselves in a precarious position, needing wins in all three of their remaining games to secure a playoff berth. Archer pointed to the tournament's unpredictability as reason for optimism across the board. 'Not just DC, but every team in the competition — anybody can beat anybody. Didn't have GT losing on my radar last night either. And that kind of just shows you can't take anyone for granted in this tournament,' he said.

With the IPL 2026 playoff race entering its most volatile phase, Sunday's clash at New Delhi could prove pivotal for both sides.