Why is Ravindra Jadeja not playing DC vs RR match in Delhi? Royals captain Riyan Parag explains...

Rajasthan Royals left Ravindra Jadeja out of their playing XI even as captain Riyan Parag returned to action after missing their home game against Gujarat Titans last week. Speaking during toss at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium after being invited to bat by the Delhi Capitals, Parag not only shared an update on his own fitness but also clarified why the veteran spin-bowling all-rounder was benched for the evening fixture of the Indian Premier League double-header on Sunday.

"All good now. I had an hamstring niggle, so, all good," Parag, who is in his first season as Royals' full-time captain, said during the toss.

"A few injuries here and there. I had to step out as well, so that's not been helping. But as far as today is concerned, there’s just one change. Jaddu bhai misses out because of his load management and all of that, and Ravi Singh debuts for us," he added, confirming a debut for Railways batter Ravi Singh.

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Jadeja misses first game of IPL 2026

Jadeja had featured in each of RR's 11 matches this season before Sunday's away fixture against DC, producing a match-winning performance (2/18) against Chennai Super Kings – the franchise he was traded to RR from before the mini auction in December – as well as against Lucknow Super Giants (43 not out and 1/29).

The 37-year-old, who had represented Royals under the late Shane Warne's captaincy in the first two seasons of the IPL, has scored 190 runs (average: 47.50; strike rate: 133.80) and collected 8 wickets (average: 25.50; economy: 7.84) so far this season. What's especially impressive about his contributions this season is that he has the best batting average as well as bowling economy among the Royals this season.

RR currently are fifth on the IPL points table and will be aiming to return to the top-four with a victory over DC on Sunday. While they will leapfrog Punjab Kings, who remain stranded on 13 points after six consecutive losses, the Royals will go level with Sunrisers Hyderabad on 14 points and could surpass the 'Orange Army' to the third spot depending on their margin of victory over Delhi.

Royals fall short of projected score after late collapse

RR posted 193/8 after they were invited to bat by DC, with Dhruv Jurel (53) and captain Parag (51) leading the way with contrasting half-centuries and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shining once again with a 21-ball 46.

RR were cruising at 161/2 in the 15th over and appeared set for a score above 220, only to finish below 200 thanks to a late comeback masterminded by Mitchell Starc (4/40). Lungi Ngidi (2/24) and Madhav Tiwari (2/27) also collected a couple of wickets each without conceding too many runs.