Netizens expressed their appreciation towards RR’s batting against the DC in their May 17th clash, and labelled it as ‘Vaibhav Sooryanshi carrying RR’. After starting the season with four straight wins, RR has slowed down significantly, managing just two victories in its next seven games. This has jeopardised their position to qualify, bringing a lot of permutations and combinations to the picture. Although LSG defeating CSK on 15th May helped RR to bounce back to fifth spot with a better NRR.
In this must-win game, RR was sent to bat first, and they powered through the powerplay despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal early. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the wonder kid, as usual, looked unstoppable, hitting Starc for 16 in just the second over of the game. The fifty-run partnership between Vaibhav and Dhruv Jurel did help RR post a 77/1 after the power play. Vaibhav fell just after the power play from a slower delivery by Madhav Tiwari with a score of 46 off 21 balls. The RR skipper Riyan Parag too didn’t hold back, just hitting the balls out of partaking the score to 140 in just 12 overs.
Netizens couldn’t stop once again appreciating Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his efforts, saying he is ‘once again carrying the team’. Many Netizens started fearing another collapse on the cards as Viabhav departed. Some were happy to see Riyan Parag get back to his form during the match.
Par-aag! Only the fifth RR batter to do so 🔥💗 pic.twitter.com/myWEd5xy9x
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 17, 2026
Rajasthan Royals are playing sensational cricket today. 🔥🏏 Well played by Riyan Parag, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel. 👏 pic.twitter.com/7CgQ3PBcky
— Vikram Sharma (@vikram_sharma11) May 17, 2026
Peak garbagenesss by RR to depend on a 15 yo to take them to playoffs 🤡
— Gangadhar (@gangadhar_11) May 17, 2026
Sooryavanshi and Jurel are the starboys for RR today#RRvDC
— 𝓫𝓾𝓭𝓭-𝔂 🦢 (@RenewedFrmToxic) May 17, 2026
Whenever Riyan Parag gets knock he looks like 1 of the easiest hitters in the league. The problem is he hasn't been able to maintain that level consistently for RR! Every time he try to hit some nonsense shots & try to pick wrong balls @rajasthanroyals
— GK (@Adithya__7M) May 17, 2026
How can RR qualify for IPL 2026 Playoffs?
As of May 17, 2026, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are positioned at the 4th spot in the points table with 12 points in total. If RR can win three out of the three matches, they will finish on 18 points and will surely qualify for the playoffs. If RR wins two of their remaining three matches, they will finish with 16 points. Ideally, this is enough to qualify, but their NRR has taken a massive hit lately, which can bring other teams into the picture depending on their wins. If RR only win one of their two remaining matches, then the RR might get out of the top four.
RR would next lock horns with Lucknow Supergiants and Mumbai Indians to fight their way towards qualification. With only a few league games remaining, the DC vs RR match could end up eliminating one team while massively increasing another team’s chance to qualify on 17th May.
