Sunrisers Hyderabad are the slight favorites to beat the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 Match 31. SRH’s home dominance at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, combined with the momentum from their stunning 10-run win over CSK, gives them a clear edge on Tuesday evening.
With Abhishek Sharma smashing the fastest fifty in SRH history (15 deliveries) against CSK, and Delhi entering the game without full certainty over Axar Patel’s fitness after he retired hurt against RCB with cramps, every factor leans in SRH’s favor on April 21, 2026.
Yet DC are not to be underestimated; they arrive on the back of a gutsy 6-wicket win over RCB, propelled by KL Rahul’s classy 57 and David Miller’s stunning last-over assault.
IPL 2026 Match 31 SRH vs DC: Match Info
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 31, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals |
| Date | Tuesday, April 21, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| SRH Captain | Ishan Kishan |
| DC Captain | Axar Patel |
This is a mid-season clash with massive playoff implications. SRH, sitting in 4th place on the points table, will want to consolidate its position. DC, who have jumped to 4th after the RCB win, are equally desperate for points. A victory for either side could prove decisive in the final standings.
IPL 2026 Match 31 Odds For SRH vs DC
The betting market tells a clear story: SRH is favored across all major platforms. Home advantage, superior current form, and a historically strong record at Uppal all work in the Sunrisers’ favor. DC’s odds reflect a competitive side, but one that faces a stiff challenge away from home.
| Platform | SRH Win Odds | DC Win Odds | Toss (SRH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.72 | 2.10 | 1.88 |
| Stake | 1.75 | 2.05 | 1.85 |
| 4RABET | 1.70 | 2.15 | 1.90 |
| BetVibe | 1.73 | 2.08 | 1.87 |
The toss odds are essentially even, which makes sense. Both captains — Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel will want to field first and chase under the lights in Hyderabad, where the dew factor provides a significant advantage to the team batting second.
IPL 2026 Match 31 Toss Prediction for SRH vs DC
The toss at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is virtually a predetermined outcome. Evening matches here are heavily influenced by dew settling in from the 12th to 14th over of the second innings. The ball becomes slippery, cutting through the air at pace, making it almost impossible for spinners and challenging even for seamers to grip properly.
SRH’s own recent experience proves the point. In their last home match against CSK, the toss winner elected to field, and while SRH batted first and posted 194, the dew made the chase significantly easier in the second innings. Both Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel are acutely aware of this dynamic.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will choose to field first.
SRH Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 31
Sunrisers Hyderabad have found their groove. After a shaky start to the season with three defeats in their first five matches, SRH have turned the corner decisively. Ishan Kishan has impressed as the stand-in captain, and the combination of explosive batting and improving bowling depth has given SRH genuine playoff momentum.
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Head | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Abhishek Sharma | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Ishan Kishan (c/wk) | WK-Batter |
| 4 | Heinrich Klaasen | Batter |
| 5 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| 6 | Aniket Verma | All-rounder |
| 7 | Salil Arora | All-rounder |
| 8 | Harsh Dubey | Bowler (Spinner) |
| 9 | Shivang Kumar | Bowler (Spinner) |
| 10 | Praful Hinge | Bowler |
| 11 | Eshan Malinga | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Sakib Hussain | Bowler |
Key Form Notes:
Abhishek Sharma: The left-handed opener is in blistering form. His historic 59 off 22 balls against CSK, including a 15-ball fifty, the fastest in SRH’s IPL history, has made him one of the most dangerous batters in the competition right now.
Heinrich Klaasen: The South African is the current Orange Cap holder with 283 runs from 6 innings in IPL 2026. His middle-overs composure and death-hitting ability make him SRH’s most critical batting asset.
Praful Hinge & Sakib Hussain (Impact): The two debutants have been revelations with the ball. Hinge took 4/34, and Hussain took 4/24 against RR in SRH’s massive win. Their willingness to bowl full and get the ball to swing and seam has given SRH a genuine cutting edge.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: The all-rounder has been vital with both bat and ball. His ability to provide breakthroughs in the powerplay and contribute cameos in the lower order makes him a key Dream11 pick.
DC Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 31
Delhi Capitals arrive in Hyderabad in a mood of cautious optimism. Their 6-wicket win over RCB was scrappy and went down to the wire, but a win is a win. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, and Lungi Ngidi, is arguably the most balanced in the tournament.
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KL Rahul (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Pathum Nissanka | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Sameer Rizvi | Batter |
| 4 | Axar Patel (c) | All-rounder |
| 5 | Tristan Stubbs | Batter |
| 6 | David Miller | Batter |
| 7 | Auqib Nabi | All-rounder |
| 8 | Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler (Spinner) |
| 9 | T. Natarajan | Bowler |
| 10 | Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
| 11 | Mitchell Starc | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Ashutosh Sharma | Batter |
Key Injury / Absence Updates:
Axar Patel: The DC captain retired hurt with cramps during the RCB match on April 18. DC management has confirmed he will be available for this game, but his over-quota contribution could be limited if the conditions remain physically taxing.
Mitchell Starc: Starc has been one of DC’s most effective bowlers in the tournament, particularly in the powerplay. His left-arm angle and ability to swing the new ball at pace make him a nightmare at Uppal.
Pat Cummins: The Australian remains unavailable as he continues his back injury rehabilitation. He is targeting a return on April 25 against the Rajasthan Royals.
Kuldeep Yadav: The wrist spinner took 2 wickets against RCB and is DC’s primary match-winner with the ball. His ability to tie down scoring and take wickets in the middle overs will be crucial here.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report, IPL 2026
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal is a batter’s paradise. The flat, true surface offers little lateral movement once the powerplay ends, and stroke-making becomes significantly easier once the new ball softens. Scores above 190 have become the new norm here in IPL 2026.
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Capacity | 55,000 |
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly, flat track |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL) | 178–185 runs |
| Par Score (IPL 2026) | 185–200 |
| Square Boundaries | 65–72 meters |
| Straight Boundaries | 75–82 meters |
| Best Strategy | Bat second (dew factor) |
What to Expect on April 21:
- Early movement for fast bowlers: The hard surface provides bounce and carry in the first 2–3 overs. Starc, Natarajan, and Hinge will all target this window aggressively.
- Batters dominate once the new ball softens: This is a classic Hyderabad pattern. After the powerplay, stroke-making becomes dramatically easier, and boundaries flow freely.
- Spinners find some grip in the middle overs: Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey will target phases 7–14 where the pitch offers occasional turn.
- The dew factor is massive: From the 12th over of the second innings, the ball becomes slippery. Chasing teams gain a clear advantage as bowlers struggle to grip.
- Expected score range: 185–210 is the sweet spot. The par score at this venue in IPL 2026 is firmly in the 190–205 range.
Hyderabad Weather Report, April 21, 2026
Hyderabad in April is punishing. The city is in the grip of summer heat, with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C. However, by match time at 7:30 PM, conditions become considerably more manageable. Humidity levels remain significant, which is precisely why dew accumulates so readily in the second innings.
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, hot and humid |
| Daytime Temperature | 38–40°C |
| Evening Temperature | 28–32°C |
| Humidity | Moderate to high (50–60%) |
| Wind Speed | Light breeze, 10–15 km/h |
| Dew Factor | Significant from the 12th over of the 2nd innings |
| Rain Probability | Very low (~5%) |
| Match Interruption Risk | Very Low |
There is no threat of rain. A full 20-over contest is virtually guaranteed. The heat will be a factor for the fielding side. SRH’s home players are accustomed to the conditions, giving them a marginal physical edge over the traveling DC side.
SRH vs DC Head-to-Head: Last 5 Matches
SRH and DC have produced one of the closest rivalries in IPL history. Their 26-match head-to-head record is separated by just one win, with SRH holding a razor-thin 13-12 advantage (with one no result). The fixture has produced some memorable moments, including a Super Over finish in 2021 that DC won. However, on SRH’s home turf in Hyderabad, the Sunrisers hold a significantly better record.
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | SRH Wins | DC Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 13 | 12 | 1 |
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 (Match 55) | May 5, 2025 | DC | 6 wickets | Hyderabad |
| IPL 2025 (Match 19) | Apr 12, 2025 | SRH | 44 runs | Delhi |
| IPL 2024 (Match 32) | Apr 17, 2024 | SRH | 67 runs | Hyderabad |
| IPL 2024 (Match 56) | May 7, 2024 | DC | 7 wickets | Delhi |
| IPL 2023 (Match 46) | Apr 29, 2023 | SRH | 9 runs | Hyderabad |
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing:
- SRH’s record at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium vs DC: Historically strong. The pitch at Uppal suits SRH’s power-hitting style, and their bowlers have learned to exploit the surface effectively.
- Shikhar Dhawan: The former SRH and DC opener leads the all-time run scorers in this fixture with 575 runs across both stints, a reminder of the iconic careers this rivalry has witnessed.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Despite not being part of either squad in IPL 2026, he holds the most wickets in this rivalry with 18 scalps, a testament to how this fixture shaped many careers.
- Heinrich Klaasen vs Kuldeep Yadav: The key battle within the battle. Klaasen’s aggressive sweeping and Kuldeep’s variations make this a compelling individual contest to watch.
SRH vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fantasy Cricket Team
With strong batting options on both sides and a pitch that rewards aggressive play, building a balanced Dream11 side for this fixture is essential. The key is loading up on power-hitters in the top three and ensuring you have the premium bowling options who can make a mark with the new ball.
| Wicket-keeper | Batters | All-rounders & Bowlers |
|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan (C) | Travis Head | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| KL Rahul (VC) | Heinrich Klaasen | Axar Patel |
| – | Abhishek Sharma | Kuldeep Yadav |
| – | Tristan Stubbs | Mitchell Starc |
Captain Picks:
Captain (C) – Ishan Kishan: The SRH stand-in captain is in the form of his life. His 91 off 44 balls against RR was one of the innings of the season, and he has shown an innate ability to dominate bowling attacks on his home ground. His double-multiplier value at this venue makes him the top captaincy choice.
Vice-Captain (VC) – KL Rahul: Rahul’s 57 against RCB in difficult circumstances showed exactly why he remains one of the most technically accomplished batters in T20 cricket. His ability to bat long and anchor the innings makes him an excellent VC option for a high-scoring match.
Other Key Picks:
- Travis Head: When Head fires, SRH go to another level. His ability to score at 180+ against pace and spin in the powerplay is unmatched in this SRH line-up.
- Heinrich Klaasen: The Orange Cap holder with 283 runs from 6 innings. His consistency and firepower in the middle overs make him a must-pick.
- Mitchell Starc: Starc is DC’s most potent weapon. His ability to swing the ball at 145 kph and take wickets in the powerplay is a constant threat, especially on the Uppal surface.
- Kuldeep Yadav: A genuine match-winner who consistently takes wickets in the middle overs. His ability to deceive both left and right-handers with googly and flipper variations makes him invaluable.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: The all-rounder offers points from multiple avenues, powerplay breakthroughs with the ball, and a belligerent cameo with the bat.
Players to Avoid:
- Sameer Rizvi: Has not yet justified his slot in the DC XI with consistent performances. Likely to struggle against SRH’s home-grown bowling duo of Hinge and Hussain.
- Salil Arora: Too speculative for Dream11 at this stage of the tournament. Better options exist within both squads.
Our Prediction: Sunrisers Hyderabad Have Better Chances to Win Against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 Match 31
Bottom line: SRH win, chasing a target in the 190–205 range.
Why SRH Will Win:
SRH’s home record in IPL 2026 is strong, and they have turned their season around dramatically. After losing three of their first five matches, back-to-back wins against RR and CSK, with some stunning individual performances, have given this squad genuine belief.
Ishan Kishan is in the form of his life. The stand-in captain has scored big in both recent SRH wins and reads the Uppal pitch better than any visiting captain could.
SRH’s bowling attack is more settled. Hinge and Hussain have been revelatory debutants, and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s ability to bowl in the powerplay adds a genuine fifth bowling option.
Three consecutive wins have given SRH momentum. After turning their campaign around with victories over DC (earlier this season), RR, and CSK, SRH are on a roll that is very difficult to stop.
Why DC Could Win:
Mitchell Starc’s new-ball threat is real. If Starc dismisses Head and Abhishek Sharma cheaply in the powerplay, SRH’s top order collapses, and DC win.
KL Rahul’s batting class is never in question. In a high-pressure chase, Rahul has the technique and temperament to take DC home on his own.
DC is a five-time finalist for a reason. History tells us they perform best when their backs are against the wall. Their bowling attack, Starc, Natarajan, Ngidi, and Kuldeep, is the most balanced in the competition.
Suggested Reads:
Final Verdict:
SRH’s advantages are structural, not situational. Home ground, superior current form, the Orange Cap holder, a bowling attack that has debutants taking 8-wicket hauls, and a settled combination. DC have individual match-winners in Rahul, Miller, Starc, and Kuldeep, but the collective weight of evidence points firmly toward a Sunrisers Hyderabad victory.
Prediction: SRH to win by 15–25 runs (if batting first) or 5–6 wickets (if chasing).
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of April 20, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
