Rajasthan Royals (RR) faced their third straight loss in the IPL 2026 when they failed to defend 193 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized Riyan Parag’s decision to let Donovan Ferreira bowl the 18th over, calling it a “suicidal move.”
With DC needing 35 runs in the last three overs, Parag turned to Ferreira, who conceded 16 runs, including two sixes. Gavaskar argued that using a slow bowler like Ferreira on a pitch offering no assistance was a mistake. He noted that Ferreira had scored a golden duck earlier and lacked confidence, making him an unsuitable choice for such a critical over.
Gavaskar suggested that Parag should have entrusted a more reliable bowler with the ball. Even if that bowler leaked runs, it would have been better than giving Ferreira the responsibility, which proved costly as DC won comfortably.
Brijesh Sharma let in 12 runs in the penultimate over, leaving Adam Milne to defend seven runs in the final six balls. Ashutosh Sharma sealed the victory for DC with a crucial over.
Earlier, Mitchell Starc, Madhav Tiwari, and Lungi Ngidi took eight wickets between them to limit RR to 193/8. Dhruv Jurel (53), Parag (51), and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46) put up a fight, but Starc’s late-wicket haul turned the game in DC’s favor.
Starc’s three-wicket over, including an over hat-trick, was pivotal. Gavaskar praised his ability to take crucial wickets at key moments, which shifted the momentum in DC’s favor.
With this win, DC moved to seventh place with 12 points, while RR remained fifth on the same points.