Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch report: IPL stats and fantasy tips for Delhi

Arun Jaitley Stadium at a glance

Is the Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch good for batting or bowling?

Usually batting. Short boundaries make Delhi one of the IPL's higher-scoring grounds, and chasing has a slight edge (54 wins to 48). But the 2026 season was unusually mixed — one match produced 529 runs and Delhi were bowled out for 75 in another — so check the pitch report on the day before you load up on batters.

What the pitch is like

The Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly the Feroz Shah Kotla) is generally a batting ground: the boundaries are short by IPL standards and a well-set batter can clear them easily.

In 2026, though, the pitch was hard to read. Across six games, one produced 529 runs while in another the home side was bowled out for 75. Different strips on the same square can play very differently, so the pitch report on the day matters more here than the long-term average.

The numbers

All-time IPL figures at the venue (103 matches, as of May 2026):

Punjab Kings' 265/4 in 18.5 overs, after Delhi had made 264/2 with KL Rahul unbeaten on 152, is the highest successful chase in IPL history. A highest total of 278 and that 265 chase show how high scores can go on a good batting day. A 75 all out in the same season shows the other side.

Toss and chasing

Chasing has a slight edge over the long run (54 to 48). The margin is small enough that the pitch matters more than the toss: on a flat surface, lean towards the chasing side's top order; on a dry or two-paced one, consider the bowlers of the side defending.

Pace or spin?

• New-ball seamers with swing or extra pace can take early wickets, especially on the more lively strips.
• Spinners come into play on dry, used pitches; a left-arm spinner who also bats, like Delhi captain Axar Patel, gives two ways to score.
• Short boundaries punish loose bowling, so prefer wicket-takers to bowlers who rely on containing.

Building a fantasy team for Delhi

• Start with top-order batters from both sides.
• Read the pitch report before deciding between a fifth batter and a fifth bowler.
• All-rounders are a hedge against an unpredictable pitch — they score whether it favours bat or ball.
• Captain: a top-order batter on a flat pitch; an all-rounder if the surface looks dry or slow.
• In mega contests, a left-arm pace bowler with the new ball is a less popular captain who can win a low-scoring game.

For a full routine, see pitch and conditions and captain and vice-captain.

DC at home

Delhi Capitals' 2026 home season reflected the pitch: big wins and heavy defeats. KL Rahul was their leading run-scorer with 593 runs, and Delhi have since traded for Rishabh Pant.

DC's squad, core picks and recent form are in the DC fantasy guide.

Pre-match checklist

1. Read the pitch report carefully — this is the ground where it matters most.
2. Check which strip is being used; a fresh one usually favours batting.
3. After the toss, lean towards the chasing side unless the pitch looks dry.
4. Pick at least one genuine all-rounder as insurance.

Sources

• CricTracker, DC vs RR: IPL 2026 records and stats at Arun Jaitley Stadium, May 2026 — venue figures and 2026 pitch notes.
• IPL, TATA IPL 2026, Match 35: DC v PBKS – Match Report, 25 April 2026 — record chase.
• Wikipedia, 2026 Delhi Capitals season — 2026 results and run tallies.