🏏IPL 2025 - Match 58: PBKS vs DC on 8th May at Dharamsala🏏

🏏IPL 2025 - Match 58: PBKS vs DC on 8th May at Dharamshala🏏

Delhi Capitals are nearing do-or-die territory in the race to the playoffs. Rain saved them the blushes in Hyderabad, earning them a crucial point from a tricky position, and they've reached Dharamsala at fifth spot with 13 points.

Delhi Capitals have three losses and one no-result in their last five games, and in need of ending the rut quickly if they are to qualify for the playoffs.

The biggest area of concern for the side, that started with four successive wins and then endured a steep slump, has been the loss of form of the batting unit.

Karun Nair has failed to replicate the heroics from his comeback game in Delhi, KL Rahul's numbers have dwindled in the second half, Abhishek Porel hasn't always built on his explosive starts, and Faf du Plessis spent a handful of those games nursing an injury.

The top-order collapse against SRH on a bowling-friendly surface had them reeling at 29/5 before the lower-order bailed them out to finish with a fighting 133 which was way off the par score for the conditions.

The Capitals' top-order stumbled on a two-paced surface in Hyderabad and succumbed to 26/5 at one stage and had managed only 30 runs in the power play.

Efforts from the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma carried their side to 133 in 20 overs, setting Punjab 134 to win. However, the second innings didn't even begin, with persistent showers eliminating the SunRisers out of playoffs race.

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Punjab's top-order has been at the forefront of their resurgence this season. Prabhsimran Singh (437) and Priyansh Arya (347) have consistently provided fiery starts, and have been backed up by their reliable skipper Shreyas Iyer (405) and designated finishers Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh.

In batting-friendly climes of Dharamsala, this may well be the deciding factor. PBKS batted LSG out of the contest in their first of the three games at this adopted home, posting a formidable 236 to register their first win at the venue since 2013.

Against a vulnerable Delhi side, this is Punjab's best opportunity to nail down a playoffs berth for themselves, and consolidate their bid for a top-two finish. DC don't have such luxuries yet, as they're still a step away from latching onto a spot in the top-four.

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, functioning of the Dharamsala and surrounding airports have been affected [https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/134292/ipl-2025-mi-travel-to-dharamsala-deferred-in-the-wake-of-operation-sindoor], which could impact the games at the venue. That said, the match on Thursday will go on as per schedule.

When: Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 PM IST

Where: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

What to expect: Rain. There's an inclement weather forecast for the rest of the week, though the rain on match day is expected to subside by the evening.

Head-to-Head: PBKS 17 - 16 DC. DC lead PBKS 5-2 since the 2021 season while both the teams have won twice each at the venue.

Teams Watch

Punjab Kings

Injuries/ Unavailability: There are no reported injury concerns in the PBKS camp.

Tactics & Match-ups: Kuldeep Yadav has an excellent record against Punjab Kings in the IPL, which puts Shreyas Iyer front and centre to skew that match-up. Iyer has faced 46 balls from Kuldeep in the format, hitting him for 81 runs.

Probable XII: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (C), Josh Inglis (wk), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak/Suryansh Shedge

Delhi Capitals

Injuries/Unavailability: Like Punjab, DC too are injury-free at the moment.

Tactics & Match-ups: Axar Patel could be his own trump card in the PowerPlay. He has kept the free-spirited PBKS opener to just 24 runs off 26 balls, dismissing him once.

Probable XII: Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan

Did you know?

- Arshdeep Singh has picked seven wickets in overs 1-3 in IPL 2025

- DC have their fate in their own hands - three wins in three games will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs irrespective of results of the other teams. PBKS meanwhile can qualify by winning two of the remaining three

- PBKS openers scoring rate of 10.36 - second best after SRH (10.89). DC openers' RR (9.00) is the third worst after CSK and LSG.

What they said:

"I'm glad I did not know about it [PBKS' poor record in Dharamsala]. I step on to the pitch to win the match, that was my mindset. We have been lucky so far, the luck has been there because of the hard work and the commitment shown. Everyone stepping at the right time, each and every individual know their roles precisely. There's only thing we need to correct - that is the awareness and the way we move on the field." - Shreyas Iyer

Head To Head Record
TOTAL MATCH PLAYED – 32 ,

DC WIN – 16
PBKS WIN – 16
NO RESULT – 0
TIE – 00

PBKS vs DC Pitch Report – Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala
The pace-friendly conditions at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

The Punjab-based side currently sits in third place in the standings with seven wins and three losses. They will hope to register a win against DC and move up in the standings and better their chances to finish in the top two positions.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals haven't yet picked up their form after a solid first half. With six wins and four losses in 11 games, DC currently sits in fifth place in the standings, and they will hope to break their two-match losing streak and enter the top four.

PBKS vs DC Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter

Shreyas Iyer:

Shreyas-Iyer. (Photo Source: IPL)

Punjab Kings' skipper Shreyas Iyer could be the best batter in the upcoming game against Delhi Capitals. With 405 runs in his last 11 matches, Iyer is one of the best performers for his side in the tournament. Coming off a decent knock against LSG, the right-handed batter will be hopeful to attack the Delhi bowlers similarly.

Probable best bowler

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep-Singh. (Photo source: X)

Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh could be the best bowler in the upcoming game. With 16 wickets in his 11 matches, Arshdeep is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the competition, and his performance could be crucial against DC. In the previous game, the left-arm pacer ran through the LSG top-order and took three wickets under the power play.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.