The Punjab Kings have come out on top in two of their last three meetings with Delhi. This will be their first clash of the 2025 season.
The Capitals were fortunate in their previous outing. After scraping together just 133 for seven in their 20 overs, the rain rolled in and prevented Sunrisers Hyderabad from beginning their reply.
Given their strong position near the top of the table, it’s no surprise to see a number of Punjab players featuring prominently in the tournament stats. Arshdeep Singh sits third among wicket-takers with 16 at an average of 18.18. With the bat, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer are seventh and ninth on the run-scorers list, averaging 39.72 and 50.62 respectively.
Thursday marks the beginning of a challenging run for Delhi. Their final three games are all against teams above them in the standings. After this, they’ll go up against the Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
Set against the backdrop of the Himalayan foothills, this is one of the most scenic grounds in the game. Thursday’s fixture will be the second of the season held here, and only the 15th IPL match ever played at the venue.
Of the 14 IPL matches previously held at Dharamsala, nine have been won by the team batting first, with five wins for sides chasing.
The highest total posted here is 236 for six, scored by Punjab Kings in their last match at the venue against LSG. The lowest? Also by Punjab—116 all out against Deccan Chargers.
Weather
Rain is expected throughout the week in Dharamsala, and it’s unclear if the match will go ahead as planned. There’s a 30 percent chance of showers, especially in the afternoon and early evening—right when the game is scheduled to take place. Humidity will be around 62 percent, but temperatures should remain mild with a high of 22 degrees.
Form (most recent first):
- Punjab Kings: W, W, NR, L, W
- Delhi Capitals: NR, L, L, W, L
Key players
Punjab Kings – Prabhsimran Singh:
PBKS boast a deep squad including the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Josh Inglis. But Prabhsimran Singh is one of their standout performers right now. He was in electric form in the last game, hammering 91 off just 48 balls. That knock followed scores of 54, 83, 33 and 13. Though usually subbed out after his innings, his aggressive starts have laid the foundation for Punjab’s success. He’s a strong contender to top-score again.
Delhi Capitals – Tristan Stubbs:
Delhi’s batting collapsed under pressure from Pat Cummins in their last outing, but Stubbs held his ground. His 259 runs from 10 innings have come at an average of 41.5, and he’s stayed not out five times. Though he plays the role of finisher, he’s shown the flexibility to adapt when needed. He’ll be key if Delhi are to put up a fight.
Prediction: Punjab Kings 72/100
Punjab are a tight-knit unit who are hitting their stride at the right time. They were dominant against LSG and look primed to secure a win that could confirm their spot in the playoffs. Delhi, on the other hand, are struggling. One win from their last five and a lucky escape last time out suggest they’re up against it. Punjab should have the edge.