DC vs RR Match 62 IPL 2026: Axar Patel Wins Toss, Elects to Bowl

Toss Result: Delhi Capitals Opt to Field

In the 62nd match of the IPL 2026, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi served as the backdrop for a crucial tactical decision. Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel successfully called the toss and, without hesitation, elected to field first. The match, scheduled for a 07:30 pm IST start, promises to be an intriguing battle as both teams look to solidify their standings in the tournament.

Captain’s Perspectives: The Strategy Behind the Decision

Axar Patel, speaking on his decision to bowl first, emphasized the importance of momentum and execution. “We will bowl first. When you win, you feel good. We were fine when we were not winning, but winning certainly gives confidence. I do not think too much about the nature of the wicket; we prefer to plan accordingly and focus on our execution,” Patel stated during the toss ceremony. He added that while decisions don’t always go in favor of the team, the key is to leave the past behind and stay focused on the field.

On the other side of the pitch, Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag admitted he was actually relieved to lose the toss. “I am fine with it. I wasn’t entirely sure about the wicket as it looks quite dry. Chasing has historically been a strong suit here, so I am happy to put runs on the board first,” Parag remarked. The Rajasthan Royals, however, are dealing with lingering injury concerns that have hampered their squad depth heading into this critical phase of the season.

Playing XIs for Match 62

Both teams have confirmed their lineups for today’s encounter, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents:

• Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (capt), Ravi Singh, Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Adam Milne, Brijesh Sharma, and Yash Raj Punja.
• Delhi Capitals: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (capt), Mukesh Kumar, Madhav Tiwari, T Vijay, Mitchell Starc, and Lungi Ngidi.

Match Venue and Timing

The match is being hosted at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. With the toss taking place at 07:00 pm IST, both teams had ample time to prepare their plans based on the prevailing conditions. The dry nature of the surface will likely play a significant role as the game progresses, with spin and variations in pace expected to be key factors for the bowling units.

Key Takeaways from the Toss

The toss is always a psychological victory in high-pressure tournaments like the IPL. For Delhi Capitals, the decision to bowl aligns with their strategy of chasing down targets, a common preference in recent T20 cricket. Rajasthan Royals, conversely, have the opportunity to set a challenging target and utilize their bowling attack to defend it under the lights. As the match progresses, the ability of the batters to read the surface will determine the outcome of this contest.

As the sun sets over Delhi, the atmosphere at the stadium is electric. With both captains looking to secure vital points, cricket fans can expect a hard-fought contest filled with tactical nuances and high-intensity action.