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In a vital performance KL Rahul played a measured but essential innings as Delhi Capitals edged past Rajasthan Royals to keep their playoff hopes alive in IPL 2026 on May 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

DC were enduring a slump as they came into the match with four successive losses in the league stage but their batting line up stepped up to the plate to chase down the challenging target of 194 with the help of contributions from Rahul,Abishek Porel, skipperAxar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma.

Rahul anchored the innings and scored 56 off 42 balls with one boundary and three sixes. His innings wasn't the quickest but it kept the Delhi innings on course as he played a perfect anchor role while his teammates chipped in with attacking cameos around him.

Rahul survived a dropped catch chance early on as Yash Punj dropped his simple catch in the second over and RR had to pay dearly for it as he went on to play a match winning innings.

Opening partner Abishek Porel looked fluent from the word go as he went on to score 51 off just 31 balls striking 7 boundaries and 1 six against the RR pacers and spinners. Rahul struck 1 four and 3 sixes in his innings of 56.

Also Read | Ashutosh Sharma finishes Delhi Capitals chase as they defeat Rajasthan Royals by 5 wickets

Post the game Rahul spoke on how he was pleased with how he had managed to adapt his game throughout the season and mentioned strike rate as one of his main aims for IPL 2026

Rahul told the broadcasters after the match:

"This one feels a little more special because I've scored 500 runs in previous seasons too but this year I set out to achieve something else which was to improve my strike rate and keep up with the modern demands of T20 cricket. So yeah I'm quite pleased that I could do that. But if we had a few more wins it would've felt even more special" 

Rahul admitted that it's a tough ask for DC to make it to the playoffs but insisted that his side has hopes

Rahul mentioned :

"We still have an outside chance, so we're hoping to win the next game and maybe some other teams can help us out as well.. Yeah it's been a journey. I still don't think I've completely cracked it. Sport is all about trial and error experimenting and being open to uncomfortable situations." 

He further added on the specific instructions he had received from the team management before the season

Rahul Concluded : 

"I've always tried to adapt to the demands of the game and do what the team asks of me. This season, the coach and captain had a very clear message before the tournament they wanted me to play at a certain strike rate dominate the power play and dominate the bowling. So I tried to mould my game around that and do it for the team."