Mitchell Starc Returns? DC's Strongest Playing XI Vs RR, IPL 2026, Match 43

Delhi Capitals strongest XI Vs RR [Source: AFP]

Nothing has been going right for the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2026, as the Axar Patel-led side is struggling for consistency and needs to get on a winning run to qualify for the all-important playoffs. Placed at 7th position in the points tally, the side needs to win almost all of their games to reach the knockouts.

That journey begins against the red-hot Rajasthan Royals, away from home. The Royals defeated the Punjab Kings in the last match, and they’ll be oozing with confidence. DC, on the other hand were torn apart by the defending champions, RCB.

DC were dismissed for a paltry 75, the lowest score of IPL 2026, and the target was achieved without the slightest difficulty. The team has only won three out of their 8 matches, and the Capitals cannot afford to take another loss against the Rajasthan Royals.

Ahead of the riveting RR Vs DC IPL 2026 match, here is how the Delhi Capitals could lineup, with a huge change expected to be made.

DC likely playing XI Vs RR- Match 43, IPL 2026

Openers and top order: Sahil Parakh, KL Rahul(w), Nitish Rana

Sahil Parakh never really got a chance to shine at the biggest stage against RCB, as the batter was cleaned up by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a duck on his debut. His confidence would have been dented after that dismal show, but the franchise will back him against the Rajasthan Royals.

They would certainly give Parakh one more opportunity to showcase his skills in the IPL. Alongside him, Mr Dependable, KL Rahul, will open. The right-handed batter has done well in the ongoing IPL, and will be DC’s key man once again.

Nitish Rana has blown hot and cold throughout the IPL 2026, and apart from that one outstanding knock against the Punjab Kings, the southpaw has not done too much. However, the team needs an aggressive number 3 batter, and there is no better option than Nitish.

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Middle order and all-rounders: Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel(c), Vipraj Nigam

Apart from the initial two matches, where Sameer Rizvi played some of his best IPL cricket, the right-handed batter has not done much and has witnessed a string of low scores. He looks low on confidence, and perhaps time has come to play Abishek Porel in his place.

Porel saved DC’s blushes in the RCB match, as he played a lone warrior’s knock, and took the team out of jail. He should replace the out of form Rizvi at number 4.

The two South Africans, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller will continue to hold the middle-order fort, but the team would demand more from them as they have been inconsistent throughout IPL 2026.

Axar Patel can be used as a floater, and with the Sawai Mansingh Stadium favouring the batters, DC could play a punt and include Vipraj Nigam, who can also chip in with a couple of overs.

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan

The franchise dearly missed their key pacer, Mitchell Starc, in the first half of the IPL 2026, but now the Australian is back, and is match fit against the Royals. He’ll certainly be included in the playing XI in place of Dushmantha Chameera, who looked average against the RCB.

Kuldeep Yadav, and T Natarajan will be the two other bowlers in the playing XI as DC will make key changes in their playing XI. With just three overseas players included in the playing XI, DC have a choice to include a second overseas bowler as an impact player, if they bowl second.

DC strongest playing XI Vs RR- Match 43, IPL 2026: Sahil Parakh, KL Rahul(w), Nitish Rana, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel(c), Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan

DC impact player options: Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Dushmantha Chameera, Kyle Jamieson, Prithvi Shaw

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