Axar Patel [Source: AP]The Delhi Capitals franchise notched up a welcome win over Punjab Kings in match number 55 of the IPL 2026 season earlier this week. Still mathematically in contention for the season’s playoff race, the Capitals management reportedly made a shocking announcement ahead of their must-win match against the Rajasthan Royals. It is worth noting that the match with the Rajasthan Royals will be hosted by the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, May 17 later this week. Capitals getting complacent after rare win? Recent call suggests so As reported by Revsportz journalist Subhayan Chakraborty on Wednesday, May 13, the Delhi Capitals franchise has cancelled its planned practice session scheduled for May 14. The practice session was intended to form Capitals’ training routine before their all-important match against the Rajasthan Royals. Also Read- Watch - Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel Get In Serious Discussion After PBKS Defeat vs DCThe decision, if true, came as a surprise to many, considering the Capitals are still barely hanging by a thread in the fiercely contested playoff race this IPL 2026 season. With no room for complacency at this stage of the tournament, the reported cancellation is expected to raise a few eyebrows. Delhi Capitals playoffs qualification scenario for IPL 2026 Amid the buzz surrounding Delhi Capitals’ reported practice-session cancellation ahead of a crucial fixture, the franchise has only two league matches remaining in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. In a bid to remain in contention for the playoffs, the Axar Patel-led side need to win each of its remaining two games with convincing margins. Notably, even two wins at this stage will get them to 14 points, leaving them to heavily rely on a slew of exterior results and self-NRR. As of now, Delhi Capitals is ranked seventh on the IPL 2026 points table with mere five wins and seven defeats from 12 matches. Their NRR also reads a dismal -0.993. Notably, the franchise started off the season with two convincing wins before losing seven of its next 10 matches. Delhi Capitals remaining schedule Axar Patel and co. will face the Rajasthan Royals on May 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi later this weekend. The franchise will then fly to Kolkata to take on the KKR at the iconic Eden Gardens. The match will be played on Sunday, May 24, and it also marks the final league fixture of the tournament.Rajasthan Royals to train as usual The Rajasthan Royals franchise, on the other hand, will be conducting their training session as usual in Delhi ahead of their upcoming match against the hosts. Holding 12 points from 11 matches, the Royals are ranked sixth on the IPL 2026 points table with six wins and five defeats. They are also holding a healthy NRR of 0.082. While the Rajasthan Royals emerged as one of the leading contenders to make it to the playoffs up until the start of this month, the franchise has lost three of its last four games to fall out of the season’s top four. Also Read- Royals Removed As CPL Renames Barbados Franchise With New Logo
