HIGHLIGHTS PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 Match 58 - Result, Scorecard

Sigh. That ends the action from this game. Punjab stay on third spot, but move to 16 points, while Delhi too, stay on 5th, but move to 14 points. Next up in the Indian Premier League 2025, Lucknow Super Giants will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. LSG will be looking to end their three-match losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive, while RCB, sitting in second place with 16 points, will aim to continue their strong run despite injury setbacks and become the first team to officially qualify for the playoffs. The match is set to start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) on 9th May, 2025, but our pre-match buildup will begin much earlier. So do join in early. See you!

Escape from jail for Delhi Capitals? The Punjab Kings did get off to a flying start but it was mostly due to some inconsistent bowling from the Capitals. Barring T Natarajan, everyone looked out of sorts and just sprayed the ball around. Maybe, because the outfield was damp, the ball was getting wet and difficult to control. Surprisingly, Natarajan bowled just one over in his first spell. However, he made an immediate impact when brought back into the attack, breaking the opening stand. Maybe, that was the moment DC could have come back but unfortunately, a power failure brought play to a halt, and the players couldn’t return to the field.

Coming to the match, there was a delay of around an hour, due to the conditions around. There was rain during the day which delayed the game but when it stopped and play got underway, Punjab Kings got things going pretty swiftly. They went hammer and tongs after the Delhi Capitals bowlers, smashing 69 in the Powerplay, without losing a wicket. The uncapped openers put on a show, adding 122 for the opening wicket and when the partnership was broken, that's when the match got halted. Priyansh Arya took the game head on and smashed another half century, his second this season, this one in just 25 balls. At one stage, he had nearly double the runs of what Prabhsimran Singh had scored before the wicketkeeper batter started to get going. In a way, tough luck for Shreyas Iyer as well, as yet another game does not allow his side to play 40 overs. A win here would have got them officially qualified but because they get 1 point, they need at least a win or a no result to get that 'Q' against their name.

Whoa! What happened there? The series of abandoned matches is increasing by the day, isn't it? Also, to come so close to the playoffs stage, is really heartbreaking. Yes, heartbreaking for KKR. Because, if the MI-DC game has a result on 15th May, 2025, then KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS WILL BE KNOCKED OUT. It is a tough scenario for Ajinkya Rahane and co, that they had to fight nature and now electricity! But it is, what it is.

UPDATE - We have received official confirmation that the game has been called off. According to the broadcasters, the decision was made due to a power outage in the area and a significant failure at the stadium.

Skipper, Shreyas Iyer, is in at number 3. Oh, wait on! One of the floodlight towers has gone off. Meanwhile, KL Rahul is having a chat with one of the on-field umpires. While the floodlights are being monitored, the physio is out for Prabhsimran Singh and he is being helped with some stretches. And as per the live visuals, only one of the floodlight towers is on right now. Also, the players have walked off the field now.

T Natarajan to Priyansh Arya, OUT! TAKEN! T Natarajan breaks through on his return to the attack! Wonder why he was taken off after a tidy first over. Natarajan starts from over the wicket and bangs it into the deck whilst taking pace off, on off, Priyansh Arya goes for the pull but gets a top edge that goes onto hit him on the helmet and balloons towards short third where Madhav Tiwari takes a dolly. The crowd rise as one to applaud a special knock from Arya. Priyansh falls for 70 (34). Punjab Kings are now 122/1.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, Pulls the length back, drifting on the pads, worked wide of long on for a single. Halfway through the first innings, Punjab Kings are 122/0.

Kuldeep Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, FIFTY FOR PRABHSIMRAN SINGH! His 8th in the IPL and his fourth consecutive fifty in this season! Flatter and on a length, around the leg stump line. Prabhsimran Singh hangs back and turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Sheer consistency from the PBKS opener as he continues his merry run this season!

Halt! Prabhsimran Singh is down with seemingly a hamstring issue. The physio is out to have a look. After a few stretches, Singh is back up on his feet.

Kuldeep Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Neatly played! Just drifting outside off, on a yard behind fuller length, Prabhsimran Singh goes deep inside the crease and cuts it to the right of the diving point fielder for a classy boundary. 17 runs off this over already, off just 4 balls.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, In the air...lands safe! Drags the length back, on top of the stumps, Priyansh Arya hangs back and goes for a pull shot, but ends up slicing it over mid on. It lands safe and a single taken.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, SIX! Change of ball, but no change of result! In total control, is Arya! Drops it fuller again, a googly, on middle, Priyansh Arya charges down the track, and smacks it over the bowler for a huge six.

The ball has been lost and the fourth umpire is out with the box of balls. We are ready to resume.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, SIX! Goodness me! That is on the roof! Lands it fuller, does Kuldeep, around off and middle, Priyansh Arya shimmies down the track, swings through the line, and sails it over long on for a 96-meter towering six. That was six the moment he hit it.

Madhav Tiwari to Prabhsimran Singh, Good save from Chameera in the deep there! Slower delivery outside off, on a fullish length, Prabhsimran Singh lets the ball arrive and cuts it along the ground, to the left of deep point. Dushmantha Chameera runs across, dives, and stops the ball. Two taken. Another expensive over for DC, 14 runs off it.

Madhav Tiwari to Prabhsimran Singh, The 100 is up for Punjab Kings! Back of a length, angling across, Prabhsimran Singh leans back and cuts it wide of backward point for a couple of quick runs.

Madhav Tiwari to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Cut away! Across off, on a good length, Prabhsimran Singh plays it quite late, and cuts it to to left of the short third fielder for a boundary.

Madhav Tiwari to Prabhsimran Singh, OUTSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Outside off, too full, Prabhsimran Singh tries to loft it over the off side, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes on the bounce to deep third for a boundary.

Madhav Tiwari to Priyansh Arya, Speared in fuller, on off, Priyansh Arya heaves off the inner half of the bat, along the ground to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Madhav Tiwari to Prabhsimran Singh, Madhav Tiwari is into the attack now. He begins with a length ball, angling on the pads, Prabhsimran Singh tucks it away to deep square leg for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, Slowish delivery, on middle, Priyansh Arya waits for it on the back foot and taps it to the left of the bowler. Another over that goes for 10 runs. 20 off the last two for PBKS!

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, FOUR! Arya is making merry here at Dharamsala! Flat and full, right on the middle stump, Priyansh Arya switches the stance and reverse sweeps it to widish deep third man for a boundary.

Kuldeep Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, Just outside off, on length, cut away to deep point for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, Flights it up nicely, does Kuldeep, on middle, it stays low on a fullish length, Priyansh Arya makes a slight charge towards the bowler, but is cramped to guide the ball to the off side. An inside edge is found and the ball rolls to short fine leg. One taken.

Kuldeep Yadav to Priyansh Arya, WIDE! Sprayed down the leg stump, Arya lets it pass. Wided.

Kuldeep Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, Drags the length, outside off. Prabhsimran goes back and stabs it towards cover for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, Could have been a better effort there! Slower through the air from Kuldeep, on a length, turning back on the pads, Prabhsimran Singh turns it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Runs the first one hard, but Madhav Tiwari makes a fumble and the batters take the second run quickly. The throw comes towards Kuldeep who collects it on the bounce and scores a direct hit at the bowling end. However, Priyansh has already made home by then. Two taken.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Punjab Kings have bossed the early exchanges, and the Delhi Capitals will use this break to regroup. The Capitals have let themselves down with their bowling in the Powerplay and have been pretty inconsistent. The two PBKS openers have cashed in, and as they have done more often than not this season, laid a good foundation. This does not seem to be a flat deck, but the key is to bowl in the right areas and even vary the pace, which T Natarajan showed in the solitary over he has bowled so far. Kuldeep Yadav to bowl after the break.

Axar Patel to Prabhsimran Singh, Slower through the air, drifting on the pads, nicely nudged to deep square leg for one.

Axar Patel to Priyansh Arya, FIFTY FOR PRIYANSH ARYA! He has looked effortless from the first ball itself! The length is pulled back by Axar, in the line of the stumps. Arya hangs back and steers it towards deep square leg for a single. Arya brings up his fifty off just 25 balls, at a strike rate of 200.

Axar Patel to Priyansh Arya, SIX! Just enough! Dragged length, just outside off, Priyansh Arya hangs back and lofts it magnificently, straight over long off. Mitchell Starc in the deep leaps, but the ball sails over his head. That is some shot from Priyansh.

Axar Patel to Prabhsimran Singh, On a length on middle and off. Prabhsimran eases it into the off side for a single.

Axar Patel to Prabhsimran Singh, A slight appeal for LBW, but not entertained. Floated fuller and on the leg stump line. Prabhsimran Singh switches his stance to play the reverse, but misses and the ball hits his pad.

Axar Patel to Priyansh Arya, Landed on a length, turning back into the batter, Priyansh Arya nudges it past square leg for a single.

T Natarajan to Prabhsimran Singh, Great effort from Madhav Tiwari, the debutant, as he saves a certain boundary! A low full toss from T Natarajan, on the stumps, Prabhsimran Singh smashes it straight down the ground. Tiwari from long on runs across to his left and intercepts the ball with a dive. The batters cross for the second run. Nonetheless, a fantastic over from Natarajan. Just 4 from it.

T Natarajan to Prabhsimran Singh, Bangs it short, taking pace off, angling across off, Prabhsimran Singh walks forward and pulls it along the ground, but straight to mid on.

T Natarajan to Priyansh Arya, Hard length, around off, Arya works it to the mid on region for a single.

T Natarajan to Priyansh Arya, Swing and a miss! Hard length, just outside off, nipping away, Priyansh Arya walks forward and tries to swing across the line, but misses.

T Natarajan to Priyansh Arya, An appeal from Porel, but nothing from Natarajan and he just starts to walk back to his bowling mark. A seam-up delivery, fuller and just outside off, in that uncertain corridor, Priyansh Arya has a poke at it and gets beaten past the outside edge.

T Natarajan to Prabhsimran Singh, Starts off with a length ball, on the pads, Prabhsimran Singh tickles it to short fine leg for a single.

T Natarajan is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Dushmantha Chameera.

Axar Patel to Priyansh Arya, SIX! Priyansh Arya is dealing in sixes! Fired in, full and on the pads, Priyansh Arya gets down on a knee quickly and slogs it over deep backward square leg for a six. 15 runs off Axar Patel's first over.

Axar Patel to Priyansh Arya, Slower and shorter, on middle, Priyansh Arya sets up for the pull but is early into the shot and gets beaten on the inside edge.

Axar Patel to Prabhsimran Singh, Edged away! Slower through the air, fuller and on off, Prabhsimran Singh lunges to defend but the ball straightens a bit to catch the outside edge. No slip and it races away past short third. Dushmantha Chameera goes after it and puts in the slide but is late to get up and release the throw, allowing the third run to be taken.

Axar Patel to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Lovely shot! Floated up, full and wide on off, Prabhsimran Singh leans into the drive and hits it all along the ground through covers for a boundary.

Axar Patel to Priyansh Arya, On off, flat and short, Priyansh Arya nudges it in the vacant mid-wicket region for one.

Axar Patel to Prabhsimran Singh, Speared in from around the wicket, on a nagging length, on the pads, Prabhsimran Singh tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

DC skipper, Axar Patel, brings himself into the attack now. He replaces Mitchell Starc.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, SIX! 50 UP FOR PBKS! Dushmantha Chameera tries to go short but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter, around off. Priyansh Arya gets the width and the length he needs and flat bats it over long on for a six.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, On middle and leg, on a short of a length, defended off the back foot by Arya.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, FOUR! Lucky boundary! On any other day, that would have crashed into the stumps. On off, on a good length, Priyansh Arya just hangs his bat out a bit away from his body to defend. Gets an inside edge onto the back thigh and sneaks through between the keeper and short third for a boundary.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, On a back of a length, on off, Priyansh Arya stands tall and punches it past cover for a couple of runs.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, SIX! Dispatched! Dushmantha Chameera does not get it short enough, on middle and leg. This sits up to be hit and Priyansh Arya does not miss out. Shovels it with ease over square leg for a six.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, Superb effort! On a back of a length, on middle, Priyansh Arya jabs it towards mid-wicket where Sameer Rizvi flings himself to his left on the edge of the ring at mid-wicket and makes the stop.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Threads it through! Another yorker from Starc that tails back in, on middle, Prabhsimran Singh is equal to the task as he angles the bat face to drive it between cover and mid off for a boundary. Another expensive over from Starc. 12 runs off it.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, Mitchell Starc switches to around the wicket and gets the yorker in, at the toes, Prabhsimran Singh jams it out.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! At 145.2 kph, full again, on off, Prabhsimran Singh swings to go down the ground with a cross bat. The ball swings back in late to catch the inside edge. It sneaks past the stumps and beats short fine leg to his right.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, Shaping back in, full in length, around off. Not that wide but Singh throws his hands at it and looks to go through the off side with a horizontal bat. Gets beaten on the inside edge.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, Good response from Starc! Dug in short and this zips through, on middle, Prabhsimran Singh thinks about playing the ramp but then bails out as he sways away.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Easy as you like! Starc lands it on a length, on middle and leg, Prabhsimran Singh picks it up cleanly and uses his wrists to shovel it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, FOUR! Yes, he can! Pitched up, on off, Priyansh Arya does not move his feet much and holds his shape to carve it over cover for a boundary. The over is spoiled due to the Free Hit and ends up going for 9 runs.

Dushmantha Chameera to Prabhsimran Singh, NO BALL! Seaming away, in the channel on off, on a good length, Prabhsimran Singh steers it with an open bat face to deep third for one more. Uh, oh, Dushmantha Chameera has overstepped. Free Hit coming up. Can Arya make Chameera pay?

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, On a nagging length at the stumps, Arya takes a step across the stumps and whips it on the bounce to deep backward square leg. Mitchell Starc mops it up by moving to his right. A single taken.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, Play and a miss! Angling across, on a short of a good length, Priyansh Arya flays at the delivery but fails to connect.

Dushmantha Chameera to Prabhsimran Singh, Hits the hard length, on off, Prabhsimran Singh rides the bounce and dabs it to backward point for one more.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, Drags the length back, on middle, Priyansh Arya turns it through square leg for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Priyansh Arya, Chameera is on the money straight away! Seaming away to leave the left-hander from over the wicket, on a good length, Arya fiddles at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

It will be the Sri Lankan pacer, Dushmantha Chameera, to operate from the far end.

Mitchell Starc to Priyansh Arya, Sliding onto the pads, on the fuller side, Priyansh Arya knocks it wide of mid on for a single. A good first over for the home side.

Mitchell Starc to Prabhsimran Singh, On middle and leg, on a back of a length, tucked to deep backward square leg by Singh to get off the mark.

Whoa! Prabhsimran Singh pulled out just when Starc was about to deliver the ball. Someone just walked past the sightscreen which disturbed Prabhsimran and forced him to bail out.

Mitchell Starc to Priyansh Arya, Fuller in length and a hint of away shape, on off, Priyansh guides it towards backward point where KL Rahul cuts it off with a slide to his right. They cross.

Mitchell Starc to Priyansh Arya, Hits the bat hard, does Starc, on a hard length, on middle and leg, Priyansh Arya hangs back and stabs it down the deck.

Mitchell Starc to Priyansh Arya, FOUR! Width offered and Arya cashes in! Starc gets the line wrong again. Short and wide on off, Priyansh Arya stands tall and lifts it over cover-point for four more.

Mitchell Starc to Priyansh Arya, FOUR! Easy pickings for Priyansh Arya! A loosener first up from Starc, on the pads, on a short of a length, Arya just glances it off his hips down to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Finally, in all readiness for the action to get underway here in the lap of the mighty Himalayas! The official IPL pet, CHAMPAK, leads the way for both the umpires. After a brief huddle talk, the players of Delhi Capitals spread out to their respective positions. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya walk out to the crease to open for the Punjab Kings. And it will be Mitchell Starc who will open the bowling attack for the Capitals. Will he find some swing early on? The timer goes off and here we go. IT IS GAME ON!

Impact subs nominated by DC - Ashutosh Sharma, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mukesh Kumar, Vipraj Nigam and Tripurana Vijay.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul (WK), Abishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs, Madhav Tiwari (On IPL debut) (In for Vipraj Nigam), Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan.

Impact subs nominated by PBKS - Vyshak Vijaykumar, Harpreet Brar, Yash Thakur, Praveen Dubey and Suryansh Shedge.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI) - Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel, says that they wanted to bowl first given the weather around and the fact that batting second helps if the game is curtailed. Shares that the wicket is really good and the batters will know better after assessing it in the 1st innings. Mentions that they have tried to stay as positive as possible and ups and downs are part of a long tournament like IPL. Informs that Madhav Tiwari comes in for Vipraj Nigam.

The captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, says considering the outfield being wet, it's good to bat first. Points that the way their openers started in the previous game, and then the rest of the batters supported with valuable contributions, was a positive. Says that the teams that win tough matches go on to win the championship. On the crowd, he says it's been electrifying throughout the tournament and feels on top of the world, especially with the way things have panned out for them. Says they will look to stick to their basics. Informs they are going with the same batting lineup.

TOSS - Punjab Kings win the toss and they will BAT first.

UPDATE - 8.03 pm IST (2.33 pm GMT) - The inspection is done and we have a start time. Toss to take place at 8.15 pm IST (2.45 pm GMT) with the first ball to be bowled at 8.30 pm IST (3 pm GMT). Thanks to the 60-minute buffer, there hasn’t been any reduction in overs. However, any further delay from here on could lead to a shortened game.

Mitchell Starc from Delhi Capitals was up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. On the challenges of playing in a tournament like the IPL, he says that you got the best players in one spot and hence, it is relentless at times with all the travel and play. Adds that he tries to be attacking as that's been his role in all formats. Says he tries to swing the ball and make inroads, and tries to adapt conditions as quickly as possible. Also mentions that with the Impact Player rule, you have to work and think outside the box to keep a step ahead. Points that if it is not swinging, you need to find different ways to be effective. On bowling yorkers, he says it comes down to execution as some days it will work and on some days it won't. Jokingly says that he feels like a goldfish as he has been around for a long time now, and tries to forget the previous game and think about the next one. Says that you need to bowl more yorkers in the death overs. Admits it won't happen all the time but you need to keep bowling to stay positive.

UPDATE - 7.44 pm IST (2.14 pm GMT) - Players from both camps are out on the field and the covers are off. We will have an inspection at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). Meanwhile, we have a key update coming through - Punjab Kings’ next game, originally scheduled to be held here in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 11, against Mumbai Indians, has now been moved to Ahmedabad due to recent developments in the country.

UPDATE - 7.35 pm IST (2.05 pm GMT) - Good news! The rain has abated and the ground staff have sprung into action. The Super Soppers are at work already, and it won't be long before the ground staff start to take the covers off. The match officials are out to inspect the conditions.

UPDATE - 7.27 pm IST (1.57 pm GMT) - With just minutes to go before the scheduled first ball, rain continues to be the unwelcome guest in Dharamsala. Instead of easing up, the downpour has intensified, leaving the pitch and square firmly under blue covers. Let's hope the rain subsides and we get the toss and the action pretty soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 7.01 pm IST (1.31 pm GMT) - Uh oh, the rain has arrived and the square has been covered. As a result, the flip of the coin has been DELAYED!

PITCH REPORT - Murali Kartik is joined by Matthew Hayden for the pitch inspection. Kartik walks towards the pitch with the scenic Dhauladhar mountains in the backdrop. He first inspects the weather and says there's some rain in the air with dark clouds looming over the ground. He then says that the action has moved to pitch number 6, where the dimensions are 61 meters and 68 meters on the squares, with a 75-meter hit down the ground. Hayden joins him and says the surface looks quite similar to the last game played here. Observes that it is quite dry with a few cracks here and there, and is a bit abrasive in nature. Also says it looks like a high scoring ground, but also highlights there was some turn in the second innings of the previous game. On being asked about what decision to make at the toss, he says it is a bit tricky, especially for DC, and concludes by saying it might be worth setting a target and then bringing the spinners into play.

Talking about the weather, it rained last evening, but it's dry for now, and let's hope it stays that way. In the previous game here, there was considerable movement upfront with the new ball for the seamers, a prospect that both teams' pace bowlers will surely relish. As the third-placed Kings lock horns with the fifth-ranked Capitals, it promises to be a thrilling contest. Stick around for the toss and team news!

On the other hand, the Capitals' campaign has hit a roadblock, and they are eager to get back on track. After a strong start with four consecutive wins, they have won only one of their last four completed games. In their most recent outing, they were fortunate to walk away with a point from the washout.

The Kings have won four of their last five completed games and are shaping up as genuine title contenders. While Dharamsala hasn’t traditionally been a happy hunting ground for them, they broke the trend with a convincing win over Lucknow in their previous outing here. A win tonight will take them to 17 points and they will become the first team to make it to the playoffs.

Hello, one and all, from the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala! There couldn't be a more perfect setting for this high-stakes clash between the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, with plenty riding on the outcome for both sides.

... MATCH DAY ...

The 58th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 promises to be a thrilling encounter as the in-form Punjab Kings (PBKS) host a desperate Delhi Capitals (DC) at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. With the playoff race intensifying, this match holds significant importance for both franchises. Punjab Kings, under the astute captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, have been one of the standout teams this season. They currently sit comfortably in the top half of the table with seven wins out of eleven matches, along with one no-result. Their consistent performances across both batting and bowling departments have made them a formidable opponent. The opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya has provided explosive starts, consistently scoring at a rapid pace in the powerplay. Prabhsimran Singh, in particular, has been in sensational form, notching up three half-centuries in his recent outings, including a brilliant 91 against Lucknow Super Giants in the last outing. Punjab boasts a well-rounded bowling attack. The left-arm pace of Arshdeep Singh has been a revelation, consistently picking up crucial wickets and currently leading their wicket-taking charts. He is well supported by Marco Jansen's pace and bounce, while Yuzvendra Chahal's return to form has been that missing piece of the puzzle. The middle order has also started to fire a bit more regularly and Shreyas Iyer's tactical brilliance has impressed more than a few people. However, there are still a few holes in the side that need plugging and this game against another playoff contender could be the best opportunity to do so. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, find themselves in a precarious position in the playoffs race. After a promising start to the season, they have lost momentum and are currently placed fifth with six wins, four losses, and one no-result. They desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive as all of their remaining gams are against sides that are currently in the top 4. The likes of KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, and Karun Nair form a potentially strong middle order capable of both consolidating and accelerating the innings. Stubbs, in particular, has shown glimpses of his big-hitting prowess, but the top order hasn't provided them the platform in recent games to launch from. They also have a solid bowling attack but more often than not, Mitchell Starc hasn't been supported from the other end and the inclusion of T Natarajan could just help them with the older ball. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav also need to step up a bit more and probably Axar's captaincy inexperience at this level has also affected his own performances. The head-to-head between these two teams in the IPL is as close as it can get, with Punjab leading Delhi 17 wins to 16. The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala is known for its scenic beauty and has historically provided a good batting surface with some assistance for fast bowlers due to the altitude and moisture. The team winning the toss might be inclined to bat first, as chasing has not been as successful at this venue historically. However, Punjab Kings successfully chased a high score in their recent match here against Lucknow Super Giants. The weather forecast for Thursday suggests a possibility of rain, which could influence the match strategy. Who are you backing for the win?