Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings, IPL, 2026 Apr 25 Full score card

WIDE! GAME, SET, AND MATCH! What a run chase this has been by Punjab as they defeat DC by 6 wickets and 7 balls to spare. Short and way too wide outside off, Shashank Singh leaves it and the umpire calls it a wide.

SCORES ARE LEVEL. Low full toss, around off, Shreyas Iyer rolls this down to long off for a single.

SIX! An exhibition of six-hitting by Iyer. Low full toss, around off, Shreyas Iyer plants his back foot deep inside the crease and slogs this out of the park towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie.

Full toss, around the pads, Shashank Singh flicks this through mid-wicker for just one.

T Natarajan nails the wide yorker around off, SS has a swing at it but misses out.

FOUR! How nicely done! Natarajan misses the yorker and lands a low full toss outside off. Shashank is deep in the crease, shuffles across and scoops it beautifully between the keeper and short fine leg. It stays up momentarily before running away to the fence.

Punjab Kings need just 13 runs from the last 2 overs. Who will bowl the penultimate over? T Natarajan it shall be. 3-0-41-0 so far.

Slower one, full and around off, Shreyas Iyer drives this to extra cover for a dot.

Yorker, on middle and leg, SS flicks this to the right of deep mid-wicket for one run.

SIX! Slower one, short and around off, Shashank Singh goes back inside the crease and pulls this over the fence towards the cow corner region for a biggie. Just 14 needed of 14 balls now.

Another yorker, nailed on off, Iyer opens his bat face and guides this through backward point for a run. 20 needed off 15.

Yorker, around middle and leg, Singh has a big swing at it but manages to hit this off the inner half of his bat through square leg for one.

On a length, around the pads, Shreyas Iyer flicks this in the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket and calls for two straightaway. Shashank Singh doesn't want to risk the second and settles for one.

The Kings are making it look like a stroll in the park now. The Capitals are left absolutely clueless. Munaf Patel, DC's bowling coach, is seen with a blank look in the Capitals' dugout. PBKS need just 23 runs from 18 balls now. Mukesh Kumar to bowl now. 2-0-45-0 so far are his bowling figures.

FOUR! 16 off the 17th over and PBKS are in touching distance now. Wide yorker, around off, Shashank Singh looks to slog this around the leg side but gets an outside edge that takes the ball over Mukesh Kumar at short third for a boundary.

Yorker, on middle and off, Iyer punts this down to long on for a single.

FOUR! It is raining boundaries again. Good length, wide of off, Iyer thumps this up and over the fielder at extra cover and the ball races to the fence for four.

SIX! Full toss, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer shuffles back and across and flicks this just over the fence towards the right of deep mid-wicket fielder for a biggie.

Wide yorker, around leg, Shreyas comes inside the line and looks to work this towards the fine leg region but misses out. The umpire doesn't call it a wide and Iyer asks for a review on that. The replay shows that Iyer has stepped a long way back and across as he looks to play his stroke before missing out. The TV umpire rules that had Iyer been in a normal stance, the ball would have struck his pads. Review lost.

Yorker, on middle and leg, Shashank Singh flicks this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4 overs left. Punjab Kings need 39 runs to win. Looks quite doable with 6 wickets in hand. The asking rate is below 10 as well. Here's T Natarajan (2-0-25-0) into the attack.

Wrong'un around off, Shreyas Iyer rocks back and looks to cut at it but gets beaten as the ball spins further away from the batter.

SIX! FIFTY FOR SHREYAS IYER. Off just 26 balls. A flat biggie this time. Fuller around off, Shreyas Iyer goes down on a knee and slog sweeps this over the fence towards the cow corner region for six more. Another true captain's knock from him and he is guiding the Kings to a very famous and historic win if they manage to pull this off. But his presence in the middle is paramount for the visitors.

SIX! This has been sent into orbit by Iyer. Googly, read well by Iyer as he shuffles back and across and pulls this over the fence and deep into the crowd towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massive six.

WIDE! Fuller one, googly, pitched outside leg. Iyer shuffles inside the line and goes for the sweep and misses. Stubbs collects the ball to his left and goes up in appeal for caught behind, but the umpire turns it down and signals wide. Stubbs wants Axar to refer this one. And a review is taken. UltraEdge shows that there is a clear gap between bat and pad. A flat line and there is no contact with his pad either. The on-field decision is upheld. DC lose a review.

FOUR! Sprinkles salt on DC's wounds, does Shreyas. Overpitched delivery, on the stumps. Shreyas Iyer drills it powerfully down the ground and beats the long off fielder's slide to his right as well.

Second drop by Karun and that off Iyer again. Unbelievable scenes in Delhi. Wrong'un around middle and off, Shreyas Iyer looks to go big but mishits this and ends up ballooning this over long on. Karun Nair runs in from the fence and settles underneath it by crouching low but ends up dropping a regulation chance.

SIX! Iyer rubs salt to the injury of Karun right away. Tossed up, around the pads, Shreyas Iyer gets inside the line and smashes this up and over the fence towards long leg for a biggie.

IN THE AIR AND PUT DOWN! That was an absolute sitter and Karun has shelled one. We have seen a few catches being put down in this game and Axar cannot quite believe it. Well flighted, pitched on length outside off. Shreyas steps down the track but fails to get underneath it and launches a mistimed hit down the ground. Nair runs in from the long off fence, gets down on his haunches, and drops an absolute sitter. Could be a big, big moment in the game. Iyer dropped on 29.

Catch it is the call, but it lands safely. A little bit of good fortune for Shashank. Full, around off, leg break. Shashank Singh slices it aerially over the extra cover region, but it lands between the two fielders in the deep. One taken.

An in-drifting leg break, too full on off. Shashank Singh fails to dig it out and inside edges to the leg side.

Outwalks Nehal and inwalks Shashank Singh.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Nigam breaks the dangerous-looking partnership. Full and flighted on middle, Wadhera makes room once more and looks to heave it with the turn over long on. He finds the bottom of the bat, and it nearly clears the fence, but substitute fielder Karun Nair is pushed back deep and takes a well-controlled grab over his head. Wadhera's cameo is over. Punjab Kings are 201/4, needing 64 runs from 33 balls.

FOUR! Hit with some venom! Pitched on a fuller length, just outside the off pole. Nehal Wadhera backs away to create room and nails the cover drive through the mid off and cover gap for a cracking boundary. 200 UP FOR PUNJAB KINGS!

FOUR! What a shot that is! Pushed fuller, on middle, Nehal Wadhera reverse sweeps it aerially to the right of deep square leg. Dushmantha Chameera charges to his right and extends his right hand to palm the ball back in but fails to do so.

STRATEGIC BREAK​​​​​​! Despite losing the top three in the middle-overs, PBKS have not put a foot on the back and have kept pressing the accelerator. Iyer and Nehal have stitched a partnership of 48 in just 28 balls and are looking good to take the visitors home. Delhi Capitals might just bring back Kuldeep and hope that the break does a trick for them. With 72 runs more needed for PBKS off the last 6 overs, the game is tilted towards Punjab and the wicket of Iyer might just hold the key here.

Good deception this time! Slower ball, short and angled across the right-hander. Shreyas Iyer prepares himself to play the back foot square cut on the off side, but is early in his shot and misses to connect.

Slips a full toss, outside off. Wadhera stands deep in the crease and scythes it to deep point for a single.

SIX! Helped on its way! T Natarajan errs in both line and length. He angles the ball on the pads, and the length is short as well. Nehal Wadhera has enough time to get on the back foot and pull it comfortably over deep fine leg for a massive six.

Aimed at the pads, on a good length, skidding through. Iyer tucks it to deep mid-wicket's right and calls for two straightaway, but Sameer Rizvi is quick to get to the ball and keeps it down to a single only.

Short into the pitch, angled into the bodyline. Wadhera swivels and mistimes the pull in the air, but lands safely in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Good review by Wadhera! Deceptive pace-off, short and wide outside off. Wadhera hops in the crease and carves it over the in-field, but fails to put his bat on the ball. Fair delivery called, but the Kings have gone upstairs to challenge the decision for wide not given. Was that too high? Or wide? The batter is in his normal position when the ball is released so the guideline stays as it is. The replay shows that there is some part of the ball inside the guideline. Now, the height on the ball is being checked as well. The side-on angle comes up with the Ball Tracking. And it confirms that the ball has passed above his head. The TV umpire also wants to check the UltraEdge in case Wadhera nicked it. But it comes up with a flat line. Wide for height is called and the on-field decision is overturned.

FOUR! Just over! Full toss, outside off. Nehal Wadhera slices it flatly over backward point. Dushmantha Chameera there leaps and seemingly gets the fingertips of his right hand on the ball, but it deflects behind to the ropes.

WIDE! Reload again! Tries to target the pads, does T Natarajan, but slides one way down the leg stump line, on a fuller length. Nehal gets inside the line to leave. Tristan Stubbs appeals for caught behind, but it wanes down as quickly as the umpire shakes his head.

WIDE! A bit too straightish, down leg at 130.3 kph. Nehal misses to whip that away.

Axar Patel is bowled out with figures of 4-0-44-1. T Natarajan comes back into the attack.

Floated nicely, full and outside off. Shreyas Iyer drives it off the front foot, but finds the fielder stationed at cover. Axar's spell is done. Punjab Kings need 88 runs from 42 balls.

Round-arm delivery at 93.4 kph, on a length, on leg. Shreyas Iyer backs away and bunts it back at the bowler.

Smidge full, on leg, Nehal clips it to long on for a single.

Angled on the pads, on a length, whipped off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

A round-arm delivery, full across off. Nehal Wadhera sits down on a knee and sweeps it to the short fine leg fielder. They cross for a hasty single. The fielder, T Natarajan throws it to Stubbs who whips the bails off, but Shreyas slides his bat well in time before that.

In-angler, full on off. Shreyas Iyer laces it through cover-point for an easy single.

Fuller, around off, conventional leggie. Nehal Wadhera leans on with a huge stride and drives it straight to cover.

Pushed on a length, a googly, on leg. Shreyas Iyer hangs back and nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Touch short, on leg. Iyer hangs deep in the crease and tucks it gently through the square leg gap for a couple of runs. Excellent running between the wickets, especially on this small ground.

Short and around off, Nehal Wadhera punches it to long off for a run.

WIDE! Flatter, full but way outside off, Nehal Wadhera goes for the reverse but leaves it alone.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That's bread and butter for Shreyas Iyer! A half-tracker, on middle. Shreyas Iyer picks up the length early, rocks back and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Pushed through quicker, short and on off, Shreyas Iyer winds up for the slog but adjusts and steers it towards backward point for one more.

SIX! Shreyas Iyer connects well! Tossed up, full and on off, Iyer clears his front leg away and hits it through the line, sending the ball over the long off fence for a biggie.

Dragged back and around off, Shreyas Iyer punches it but straight to Axar Patel at short cover on the bounce.

WIDE! Quicker, shortish but down the leg side, Shreyas Iyer fails to glance it away. Wided.

Floated, full and on middle, Nehal Wadhera turns it to the leg side for a run.

Short again and on midlde, Shreyas Iyer nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Poor delivery and gets punished! Short and down the leg side, there to be hit. Shreyas Iyer opens up his stance and looks to pull it away, but gets a bottom edge as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary. That brings up the 150 for PBKS.

Halfway reached. PBKS need 118 from 60 balls. They are still way ahead of where DC were after 10 overs. But the spinners have done well to somewhat slow things down. Vipraj Nigam is into the attack as he replaces Axar Patel.

Big swing and a miss! Kuldeep Yadav gives this one some more air, pushes the line outside off, turning it further away. Nehal Wadhera goes down for the big slog sweep but gets nowhere near the ball.

Flighted, full and on middle, turns away a bit, Nehal Wadhera stays deep in his crease and looks to work it away. Gets a leading edge as the ball rolls to the right of the bowler.

Flatter and shorter, on leg, Shreyas Iyer clips it through square leg for a run.

Floated, full and on middle, Nehal Wadhera tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Kuldeep is turning the screws on PBKS now. The pitch has gotten sluggish, evidently. Relatively two new batters in the middle now as Nehal Wadhera is in at number 5, as Punjab's impact sub.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Kuldeep Yadav strikes again and the destructive top three for PBKS are gone now. He dishes out a deceptive wrong'un, full and on middle, turns in sharply. Cooper Connolly backs away and looks to push it away but fails to read the googly, leaving a massive gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and rattles the stumps behind. Punjab Kings have slipped from 126/0 to 145/3.

Pitched full and around off, nicely driven off the front foot through point for a couple of runs.

Holds on the pitch slightly, full and around middle. Shreyas Iyer chips it on the bounce to the bowler.

Full and on leg, Cooper flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drags the length back, on leg, Iyer knocks it down to long on for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Flighted, full and on leg, Cooper Connolly drills it to long on for a single.

DROPPED AND SIX! Much like the Marcus Stoinis one in the first innings. This is floated, full and around leg, Cooper Connolly gets down on one and slog sweeps it towards the deep square leg fence. He does not time it that well, and Mukesh Kumar in the deep runs to his left and grabs it well. However, as soon as he takes the catch, his back foot gives away, resulting in him slipping on the ground. He tries his best to keep his foot inside, but it just touches the top of the toblerone. Axar straightaway signalled six, but the third umpire saw a few replays before confirming the same.

Taken! Or is it? Mukesh Kumar pouches it but loses his balance as his back leg slips in the outfield and he tumbles over. The question is whether he touched the ropes on the way down. The TV umpire confirms it. The boundary cushion moved because of Mukesh's leg while he was in possession of the ball. That is a six, not a wicket.

PBKS need 131 from 72 balls. Axar to continue.

Slows it up, full and on off, Cooper Connolly drives it to long off for one more.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Cooper Connolly knocks it back to the bowler.

Floated, short and on middle, Shreyas Iyer stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Punjab Kings lose both the openers in successive overs. Skipper Shreyas Iyer is in at number 4.

OUT! LBW! Prabhsimran Singh has missed a dragged-on delivery and he would be gutted to be dismissed in this manner. Really short on middle and leg, Prabhsimran Singh steps a long way across and looks to hit this behind backward square leg but misses out completely as the ball comes really slow at him. Singh gets hit on the front pad and in front of the stumps. A gentle appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Prabhsimran Singh opts for DRS but three reds with the ball clattering into the middle and leg stumps on the Ball Tracking confirm the decision of OUT.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Cooper Connolly tucks this through mid-wicket for one run.

FOUR! Flighted around off, Cooper Connolly stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and drives this inside out over the left of the fielder at cover for a boundary.

Floated around off, Cooper Connolly punches this through extra cover for one run.

A wicket right after the strategic break and we have seen this happen many times this season. Cooper Connolly walks out to bat at number 3. Also, Tristan Stubbs is replacing KL Rahul as DC's wicketkeeper as KL walks off the field.

OUT! CAUGHT! The opening stand of 126 is finally broken by the DC skipper. Axar goes a bit wide of the crease and bowls an under-cutter, around middle and leg. Priyansh Arya takes him on with a slog but doesn't get enough power or elevation behind it. The ball goes straight into the hands of Sameer Rizvi at the deep mid-wicket region. Rizvi takes it nicely around his waist and sends Arya back.

Quicker and flatter around off, Prabhsimran Singh punches this to wide long off for just one run.

FOUR! 7th boundary on a trot for Prabhsimran Singh. Tossed up, in the line of the sticks, Prabhsimran Singh plays the reverse sweep and hits this towards the deep third region for a boundary.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Arya works this towards the mid-wicket region for a single.

FOUR! Nicely done. Fired onto the pads, Priyansh Arya gently tucks this left to the fielder at short fine leg for a boundary.

Strategic Break! That was a stunning finish to the Powerplay, with six boundaries in the over. Punjab Kings have already surpassed Delhi Capitals' score at the halfway mark, 102/1, and we are just six overs in this chase. The platform has been set by the two explosive openers in this big chase and Punjab are known to chase down totals over 200. Delhi Capitals are completely shell-shocked and the serious injury to Lungi Ngidi has not helped them at all, as he has been their best bowler this season. The spinners will have to pull things back in the middle overs. Here is Axar Patel to bowl now.

FOUR! What could have been 112 for 1 turns to 116 for no loss after 6 overs. Short and into the batter, Prabhsimran Singh takes Mukes on and goes for the pull off his front foot. Doesn't time the pull well and ends up hitting this in front of Sameer Rizvi at the deep square leg region. Rizvi runs in from the fence and rightly goes for the catch by diving forward but doesn't get anywhere near it. The ball bounces in front and goes behind for a boundary.

FOUR! 5 in a row and can we get 6 boundaries in this over? Full toss, wide around off, Prabhsimran Singh slashes hard at it. Gets it edged just past the right of Rahul behind the stumps and the ball has raced to the fence for four runs towards the deep third region.

FOUR! Make it four boundaries in a row. Full and wide outside off, Prabhsimran Singh shuffles across the stumps but gets followed by the bowler. Prabhsimran Singh cleverly opts to ramp this over short third for a boundary.

FOUR! The dancing shoes are well and truly on for Prabhsimran Singh. Another low full toss, around off, Singh jumps down the track and converts this into a full toss and hammers this over extra cover for four more runs.

FOUR! 100 comes up for PBKS in just 5.2 overs. Short-pitched delivery, around middle and off, Prabhsimran Singh pulls this in front of square on the leg side for a boundary towards the deep mid-wicket region.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR PRABHSIMRAN SINGH! Off just 18 balls. He has brought just the right intent to the middle to scale down this gigantic target. Juicy half-volley, around off, Prabhsimran Singh stays leg side to the pitch of it and smashes this through the covers region for a boundary to reach the 50-run mark.

Mukesh Kumar to bowl the final over of Powerplay. He went for 21 runs in his first over.

Lungi Ngidi is substituted by Vipraj Nigam

Full toss, around off, Singh jumps down the deck and punches this towards the left of Axar at mid off and takes one.

FOUR! Low full toss, around off, Prabhsimran Singh lofts this just past the right of the fielder at extra cover for a boundary. Singh continues the boundary-hitting streak in every over.

Full and on off, Prabhsimran Singh dances down and away, slices this to the left of the fielder at point. A throw comes in towards the bowler's end but misses the stumps. Arya might have been touch-and-go had the ball hit the stumps.

WIDE! Short and around off, a bit too high for the batter. Prabhsimran Singh steps down the deck and leaves it. Wided.

A perfect yorker, on leg, Priyansh Arya shuffles away from the stumps and opens his bat face to guide this towards short third. A slight fumble allows the batters to cross for one.

Full toss, onto the pads, Arya gently tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot. What a rare sight.

WIDE! Short and wide outside the tramline on off. Priyansh Arya steps down the track and leaves it. Wide called.

Yorker on middle and leg, Prabhsimran Singh tucks this through silly mid on and rotates the strike.

Nabi has been smoked to all corners of the park. T Natarajan has been introduced into the attack now. Also, Vipraj Nigam is on the field as the Concussion Sub for Lungi Ngidi.

Dot ball? Boring. Low full toss, outside off. Arya slices it straight to the cover-point fielder. 27 runs from this over. 2-0-41-0 for Auqib Nabi so far.

SIX! He has made that look so easy! Short in length, around the leg stump line. Doesn't rise much and Priyansh easily pulls it into the crowd behind deep square leg. That's the 10th six in 23 balls already for PBKS.

Fires in a low full toss, on off. Prabhsimran Singh moves leg side, lines up to thrash it through covers, but inside edges it to mid-wicket for a run.

WIDE! Goes short into the pitch as he sees Singh charge down the track. Prabhsimran decides to leave as it goes over the head height. Wide called.

SIX! That is outta here! Fuller from Nabi, around off. Prabhsimran Singh advances down the track and dumps it over the long off fence with absolute comfort.

Shoots in on middle. Singh dances down the track, takes it on the full and carves it straight to the cover fielder.

SIX! Absolute mayhem! Pitched short and outside off. Prabhsimran Singh picks the length in a trice and nails the pull shot over deep mid-wicket for another half a dozen runs.

NO BALL AND SIX! Played with ease. Full in length, angled onto the pads. Easy pickings for Singh. He goes deep in the crease and whips it behind deep backward square leg for a six. Auquib has overstepped and Free Hit is coming up.

56 runs off the first 3 overs. It will be a change of ends for Auqib Nabi.

SIX! Into the crowd! Dropped full and on leg. Priyansh gets down on one knee and sweeps it aerially into the stands behind deep square leg. It is raining sixes in Kotla. 20 runs off Axar's first.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! Full into the slot, on middle, a quicker one from Axar. Priyansh Arya gets on the front foot and cleanly strikes it downtown for a big six. 50 UP FOR PUNJAB KINGS!

Pushed fuller, on off, at 88.9 kph. Singh drives it inside out through wide mid off for a single.

A moment of concern surrounding Lungi Ngidi as he has fallen on the back of his head while trying to catch this one. It was a really nasty fall and the stretcher has been brought out in the middle, which shows the severity of the injury to Ngidi. Not just the stretcher but the Ambulance has been called as well. Fingers crossed for the well-being of Ngidi. Kuldeep Yadav, David Miller and the rest could be seen having a look at Ngidi with a lot of concerned faces. A neck brace has been placed on his neck now. Live visuals show that Ngidi is able to talk to the doctors present out there, which is a good thing. There's pin drop silence in the crowd. Dushmantha Chameera is seen loosening up as he will most likely be the concussion replacement for Ngidi. And now, PBKS head coach, Ricky Ponting, has walked out to the middle as well. All necessary precautions are being taken, and Ngidi has now been stretchered off and taken away in the ambulance. It is being wheeled off to the hospital. Seemingly, members of the support staff are present with Ngidi. We just hope for the best for him. These are not the visuals you ever want to see on a cricket field. Chameera has taken the field now. The play is set to resume.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

STRAIGHT UP AND DROPPED! Ngidi has made an absolute mess of that. But more concerningly, he falls on the back of his head and is looking in a lot of pain. He lands very hard on the ground and bumps his head into the surface. A lot of concerned faces in the DC camp and the stretcher is being brought in for the tall South African seamer as he lies on the ground. Coming to the delivery, it is the arm ball on a length around off, drifting angling across the batter. Arya clears his front leg and swings to go downtown, but completely mistimes it off the toe end of his blade. The ball is sliced and balloons straight up in the air over mid off. Ngidi tries to settle under it but never looks in a good position. He misjudges the trajectory, fails to get his hand on the ball, and it drops to the ground. A single taken.

KL Rahul can be seen hobbling again as he moves gingerly to his right to gather this behind the stumps. Delhi Capitals does have the option of replacing Rahul with Stubbs behind the stumps if they feel the need to do so.

WIDE! Wayward, down leg, full. Arya leaves. KL Rahul moves to his right and collects it.

FOUR! Picks the gap nicely! Pushed fuller and on the leg stump. Priyansh Arya sits across the line and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a one-bounce boundary.

Drifts in on the pads, on a length. Prabhsimran Singh gets across and nudges it through square leg for a single.

15 runs were scored off the first and that has been followed by a 21-run over by Mukesh Kumar. PBKS are going all guns blazing after this mountainous total. KL Rahul is once again not feeling at his best and the physio has rushed out in the middle to assess his well-being. Rahul is continuing for now. Meanwhile, the skipper of Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel, has brought himself into the attack.

SIX! INTO THE STANDS! On a fuller length, around leg. Priyansh Arya picks the length and gets into a very good position before whipping it behind deep square leg for a huge six. PBKS are off to a real flier here.

Rahul is struggling a bit. After carrying his team with the bat in the first innings in these hot conditions, Rahul might be feeling the heat a bit but is good to continue for now.

In the air... but lands just short of Rizvi. Slow, full, angling on leg. Singh whips it aerially, but off the inner half, and luckily for him, the ball lands on the bounce in front of Sameer at deep square leg. One taken.

FOUR! Intent! On a back of a length, around off. Prabhsimran Singh charges down the track and smacks it over extra cover for a four. The bat did turn at the point of contact, but he manages to clear the ring.

Put down! A tough chance and these are the kind of catches that stick. Full marks for the effort. Would have been a stunner had he clung on to it. Wide full toss, outside off. Prabhsimran Singh throws the kitchen sink at it, trying to hit it over the in-field on the off side, but slices it flatly to the right of backward point. Auqib Nabi throws himself in that direction and extends his right hand to pluck it, but parries it behind for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Too wide outside off, on a length. Singh first feels for it, but aborts to poke.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! A half-volley from Mukesh, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh goes into the crease, clears the front leg and tonks it over the long on, dumping it into the stands.

Overpitched outside off. Priyansh carves it to deep point for a single.

15 runs off the first over and the chase is well and truly underway. Mukesh Kumar will be bowling from the other end.

SIX! The over starts with a six and ends with a six as well. Nabi goes hard into the pitch, outside off. Prabhsimran Singh stands tall, just opens up a bit and pulls it high and handsome over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

Yorker, on off. Arya carves it to the extra cover region for a single.

Back of a length, nipping in a touch, around off. Prabhsimran Singh rises with the bounce to punch it to the off side, but inside edges it to widish mid-wicket for a single to open his account.

Oh, that must have hurt him. Short of a good length, on middle, holds on a bit. Priyansh is early in his pull shot, but misses and is hit on the midriff. The ball deflects to the leg side and he is called through for a leg bye.

Good comeback by Auqib. A yorker on middle. Arya's head falls over, but he squeezes it to the cover region.

SIX! We have some work to do, so let's get straight into it, says Priyansh. Short of a good length, around the off pole. A free-flowing pull shot by Priyansh and he clears deep mid-wicket for a 74-meter biggie into the stands.

Goes for the yorker, but slips in a low full toss. KL Rahul sits on his knee and uses his wrists to sweep it to deep square leg for a single. DC FINISH AT 264/2.

FOUR! 150 FOR KL RAHUL! Only the third player, after Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, to reach this feat. And becomes the only Indian in this list to achieve this milestone. Whatever he has touched has turned into gold. And this is the best way to make the most out of getting a couple of lifelines as well. A statement knock from him. Short into the pitch with pace taken off completely, over off. KL Rahul climbs the imaginary ladder and ramps it over the keeper's head for a boundary. Under the scorching Delhi heat, he has produced one of the finest IPL knocks that will be talked for a long, long time.

Nails the yorker in, on middle, David takes it on the full before it dips below his bat and shovels it down to long on for a single.

Bangs it slow and short, outside off. KL Rahul stands tall and controls the pull shot along the ground for a single at deep mid-wicket. 258/2 reads the scorecard - This is now DC's highest-ever total in IPL history.

Tries the yorker, on middle, but it is the low full toss. Miller whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length, outside off. KL Rahul waits on the slower ball and swats it down to long on for a single.

Who bowls the last over? It will be Arshdeep Singh.

Back of a length, slow outside off. KL Rahul plays off the back foot and lofts it over cover-point for a run. This is now the highest team total in this year's IPL.

FOUR! Nails it this time! Wide and full, outside off. KL Rahul sits across by collapsing his back knee into the pitch, and sweeps it away to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

WIDE! Miles outside off, KL tries to sweep, but misses. 250 UP FOR DC!

Pace-off delivery, short around off. David hops in the crease and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Finally, Punjab Kings hold onto one here. David Miller comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN SHARPLY! Shreyas with a brilliant catch to halt this 220-run partnership for the second wicket. Xavier changes the angle and comes from around the wicket. Fires in a full toss around leg, but Rana backs away looking for room and tries to lift it over mid off. He does not get enough power behind the shot though and hits it flatly. Shreyas, stationed at mid off, moves to his right, leaps a bit and takes a fine catch with both hands. The Capitals are 248/2 in 18.3 overs.

FOUR! The ball is just finding the fence! Back-of-the-hand slower ball, pitched on a length, outside leg again. Rana has to wait for an eternity for the ball to arrive before he helps it over the keeper's head for a boundary to deep fine leg.

SIX! LAUNCHED! Bartlett sees Nitish shuffling outside leg so he bashes the short ball outside leg, trying to cramp the left hander. But Rana gets the ball at a comfortable height, around the chest and nails the pull shot over deep square leg for a cracking six.

With Yuzvendra Chahal subbed out for Nehal Wadhera, there will be a change from the other end. Xavier Bartlett to bowl the penultimate over. He has gone for 52 runs in his first three.

FOUR! Into the gap! On top of the middle pole, short in length. KL Rahul stands tall in the crease, just opens up his body before unleashing a controlled pull shot between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. He moves to 140 from just 61 balls.

From around the stump, this is full and across the left-hander. Nitish Rana looks to heave it to the leg side, but inside edges it through square leg for a single.

Swing and a miss! Fuller and around off, angling away, Nitish Rana looks to slog it across the line but misses.

Short of a length and on off, takes pace off, KL Rahul looks to pull it away but misses. The ball pops up off his right shoulder onto his helmet and rolls towards point. They cross. The physio comes in for the concussion check, but Rahul just gives him a hug and indicates he is fine.

Back of a length, on off. KL backs away and slaps it straight to cover.

SIX! PUNISHED! Full around off, a slower ball, but right in the slot. Rahul clears his front leg, gets under it and smokes it over the long on fence for a six. This brings up the 200-run partnership between KL and Rana. Also, Rahul moves to 135 and this is now his highest score in IPL.

Yuzvendra Chahal is substituted by Nehal Wadhera

SIX! Nearly a wicket for Chahal! Stoinis with a fine catch attempt in the deep, but it goes in vain. It is the full toss, on leg. Nitish Rana sits down and plays a tired-looking slog sweep in the air to the right of deep square leg. Marcus Stoinis charges across and dives to gather the ball. He maintains possession of the ball despite his elbows hitting the ground hard. However, there is an umpire's review for the legality of the catch. Rana is asked to stop by the fourth umpire near the ropes. The TV umpire checks a couple of angles to see whether any part of Stoinis' body is in contact with the boundary ropes. It is deemed that his fingers are under the ball but his right leg is touching the boundary cushion while holding the ball in his hand. The zoomed angle shows that it moved a bit as well. So it is called a six and Rana makes his way back to the crease.

The on-field umpires are having a look at the catch, and Nitish Rana has been asked to wait. Rana has been called back as the replays confirm Marcus Stoinis' back foot touching the toblerone. Clearly, luck is on the side of Delhi in this game.

Very slow and short, outside off. KL Rahul stands tall and knifes it to deep extra cover for a single.

Slips in a full toss at thigh-height. Nitish Rana shimmies down the track but mistimes the lofted shot on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for only a single. Rana will feel that he missed out on this one.

Overpitched at 92.9 kph, KL Rahul cannot quite get underneath it but manages to drill it down to long on for a single.

WIDE! Tries to keep it away from the arc, but drifts it beyond the guideline and KL leaves.

Into the blockhole, on leg, Rana flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Far, far outside the tramline. Left alone watchfully by Nitish.

A dipping full ball, on middle. KL Rahul tries the reverse sweep, but toe ends it to the cover region and rushes off for a single. The fielder is quick to pick and get rid of the ball and scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end, but KL Rahul skates through to get home just in the nick of time.

Strategic Break! Delhi Capitals have put themselves in such a position that if they don't get anything around 250, they will be disappointed. KL Rahul has been batting like a dream, already notching up a hundred, while Nitish Rana is not far behind. Punjab Kings have looked out of ideas and they will need to pull up their socks to execute their plan in the death overs, or their unbeaten run will be in serious trouble. Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl after the break.

Once again, a full toss from Vyshak, around middle and leg, clocked at 137 kph. Rahul flicks it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

FOUR! Straight as a gun-barrel! A hat-trick of full toss from Vyshak, on middle and off. KL Rahul gets under it and thumps it down the ground for a one-bounce boundary.

SIX! The wheels are well and truly coming off! Another loosener from Vyshak, full toss, outside off. KL Rahul needs no second invitation on it and slams it straight down the ground for a huge six.

SIX! Wow, he is playing all around the dial now! A full toss wide outside off. KL Rahul gets across, plants his back knee into the pitch, and unleashes the slog sweep behind deep backward square leg for half a dozen runs. 200 UP FOR THE CAPITALS!

WIDE! Rolls his fingers on the leather and bangs it short, but it goes over the head of the batter. KL arches back and drops his wrists to leave.

SIX! He is unstoppable today! Into the slot, a real hit-me ball, full and around off and slow as well. KL Rahul waits on it, and tonks it over wide deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

Pace off and into the surface, outside off. KL Rahul opts to leave.

Last 5 overs coming up. DC are already at an arm's distance from 200. Vijaykumar Vyshak (2-0-24-0) is back on, replacing Arshdeep Singh.

Slower one, full and on off, KL Rahul pushes it through covers for one more.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR KL RAHUL! A magnificent knock from him and he brings up his 6th IPL century in just 47 balls. Marco Jansen bowls this in the blockhole, around off. Rahul stays deep inside the crease and smacks it down the round, beating long off to his right for a boundary.

Slower one, full and around off, KL Rahul opens the bat face but loses his bottom hand. He slices it over point and calls for the second run and makes it comfortably. He moves to 98 now.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Back of a length and just outside off. KL Rahul gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for four runs.

Nails the yorker, on middle and off, tailing in, Nitish Rana swings at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side. They cross. That brings up the 150-RUN STAND between these two batters.

FOUR! There is no respite for PBKS! A slower one, full and on middle. Nitish Rana reads it early, waits for it and smashes it down the ground to the long on fence for a boundary.

59 runs in the last 3 overs for the Capitals. This is absolute mayhem. And that's what dropped catches can cost you. KL Rahul has been put down twice so far and is inching closer to his century. The other night, it was Kohli who was put down by GT and went on to produce a chasing masterclass. Marco Jansen is back on.

FOUR! Finishes the over just like he started it! Arshdeep Singh bowls a good wide yorker, outside off, nothing wrong with the delivery. KL Rahul shows his class, opening the bat face and squeezing it out through point for four more runs.

Another full toss, outside off, Nitish Rana walks across, gets low and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for one. Rahul wants the second but is sent back.

Low full toss, on middle, KL Rahul forces it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Short of a length and just around off. KL Rahul waits for it on the back foot and flat-bats it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

SIX! Up, up and away! Fuller again, but not wide enough outside off. KL Rahul manages to get underneath the ball and launches it high and handsomely over the long off fence for a biggie.

FOUR! The runs just keep flowing! Fuller in length and in line with the stumps. KL Rahul holds the bat like a frying pan and goes for the reverse scoop. Gets a top edge, but it flies well over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Shreyas calls the crisis manager back into the attack. Arshdeep Singh (2-0-20-1) replaces Xavier Bartlett. Can Singh produce a breakthrough for the Kings?

Much fuller and on off, KL Rahul drills it to sweeper cover for one.

Short of a length and outside off, takes pace off again. KL Rahul leaves it alone, thinking it is a wide, but gets nothing from the umpire.

Swing and a miss! Pace off, full and around off, KL Rahul moves across and has a wild swing across the line but loses his shape and misses.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker but bowls it over the tramline, KL Rahul lets it go. Wided.

SIX! 150 UP FOR THE CAPITALS! Fuller delivery and well outside off. KL Rahul accepts the width on offer, extends his arms and powers it over the deep point fence for half a dozen more. They have raced from 100 to 150 in a flash, literally. They have really put their foot down now.

Tighter line, on middle, on a length, Rana pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Takes all the pace off and bowls a bouncer, outside off. It doesn't rise much and KL Rahul has enough time to pull it to deep mid-wicket's right for a single.

WIDE! Pushed miles outside off, beyond the tramline. KL Rahul ignores it. Wide called.

Marcus Stoinis is summoned into the attack as PBKS hunt for a breakthrough. He replaces Yuzvendra Chahal.

SIX! Even better and bigger this time! Xavier Bartlett keeps the line and length similar, takes pace off. Nitish Rana gets his hands through the shot and carves it over extra covers as the ball sails over the ropes for a biggie. Bartlett has been taken to the cleaners as 28 runs come off the over. His bowling figures read a sorry-looking 3-0-52-0.

FOUR! This is just sublime batting! Much fuller and outside off again. Nitish Rana gets the chance to free his arms and crashes it over extra covers for four more runs.

FOUR! Streaky but they call count! Short of a length and just outside off, Nitish Rana looks to pull it away but gets a top edge. Yuzvendra Chahal has been moved to short third and the ball goes over his head for the third boundary of the over.

FOUR! No chance for the fielder this time! Slower one, full again and on middle. Nitish Rana repeats the dose. He gets down and across and plays the scoop well wide of Chahal for another boundary. That's FIFTY FOR NITISH RANA! Back-to-back half centuries for him. The local boy raises his bat and acknowledges the crowd. This also brings up the 100-run partnership between Nitish and KL Rahul.

FOUR! Clever batting but fielding can be questioned again! Fuller one and on middle and leg. Nitish Rana gets across early and scoops it wide of short fine. Yuzvendra Chahal moves to his left and tries to push the ball back, but the ball deflects off his fingertips and races to the fence for a boundary.

SIX! Gets hold of that one! Short of a length and around off, Nitish Rana has a big heave across the line. He does not get it from the middle of the bat but gets enough to clear deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Change? Yes. Xavier Bartlett (2-0-24-0) returns into the attack, replacing Vijaykumar Vyshak.

Another dot to end the over! Tossed up, full and around off, turns away again, KL Rahul leaves it alone but this is inside the tramline.

Slower through the air, shortish and around off, turns away, KL Rahul tries to cut it away but misses.

FOUR! Two in a row! Quicker one, full and on middle. KL Rahul gives the charge again and blasts it down the pitch. Much straighter this time, back past the bowler and bisecting long on and long off with perfection for another boundary.

FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Flighted, full and around off, KL Rahul skips down the track to get to the pitch of it. He thumps powerfully and well wide of long off for a one-bounce four. Almost went all the way.

Gets away with it, does Chahal! Fires this one right in the blockhole, on off, Nitish Rana drills it down the pitch. Chahal puts in a dive to his right to make a half-stop, and the ball rolls to the left of mid on. They cross.

Flatter, full and on middle, KL Rahul fails to get underneath it and bunts it out to long on for a run. Uh..oh! Chahal has committed the cardinal sin of overstepping. It is called a No Ball. Free Hit up next..

Floated, full and on middle and leg, Nitish Rana drills it to long on for a single.

FOUR! That's a glorious hit! Straighter line, full on middle. KL Rahul plays with a straight bat and hits it off the middle. Lofts it comfortably over the bowler's head for a boundary straight down the ground. At halfway, 100 COMES UP FOR THE CAPITALS!

Outside off, on a length with pace taken off again. Rana unleashes a tennis-like forehand shot, hitting it to cover and picks up a single as the fielder fumbles a bit.

Slow and short again, outside off. Rana stands tall and scythes it straight to short cover.

Slower short ball, on off. KL Rahul pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

CHANCE, PUT DOWN! By Vyshak off his own bowling. KL gets yet another lifeline, but this was a tough chance though. Pace off, on a length and in the channel outside off. KL Rahul opens his shoulders early and muscles it straight back off the inner half of the bat. It goes flat to the left of the bowler, but Vyshak, in his follow-through, cannot hold on to it and the ball deflects off his left shin before rolling to the mid-wicket region.

FIFTY FOR KL RAHUL! A quality knock from him and this is his 43rd IPL fifty. The third this season as well. He has made batting under scorching heat look so easy. On a good length, angled at the pads. KL Rahul nudges it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs to get to his milestone.

Drifts it on a length, 92.1 kph, on leg. KL Rahul heaves it off the inner half to the right of deep mid-wicket for an easy single. Moves to 49 (25), does KL Rahul.

Rana steps out of the crease and clips this full ball to backward square leg for a single.

Full again, stump-to-stump, Rahul brings out the broom again and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

In front of the middle stump, Nitish sits down on his knee and sweeps the full ball to deep square leg for a single.

Nicely floated, full and outside off. Nitish leans with a big stride forward and drives it through extra cover gap. Xavier Bartlett from long off runs to his right and slides to make the stop. Saves two for his team.

At 87 kph, fractionally full, on leg. KL Rahul backs away and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for one more.

Full toss on pads, nicely flicked to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Attempted yorker, on middle. Rana drives it straight down the ground. Bartlett sticks out his right hand on the follow-through and takes the sting out of it, parrying the ball to the mid on region for only a run.

A bouncer but holds slightly on off. KL Rahul miscues the pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Back of a length on the stumps. Rana stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Misfield once again! Full and wide, outside off. Nitish Rana stays rooted in the crease and throws his bat at it, slicing it to the backward point region. The sub fielder, Suryansh Shedge, dives but fails to collect it cleanly. The ball brushes off his fingers and it races to the fence behind. The misfields are plaguing the PBKS camp.

Pace off ball, on a length, on leg. Rahul hangs back and tucks it into the mid-wicket region for a single.

Strategic Break! Despite losing a wicket, the Delhi Capitals are off to a fine start here. KL Rahul is leading the charge, and every run he scores will hurt Shashank Singh ​​​​​​even more after he dropped a sitter. Nitish Rana has also played a good supporting role, and these two are looking like the real deal so far. Punjab Kings have been sloppy in the field and the bowlers are finding it difficult to be consistent in this scorching Delhi heat. They will hope the pitch slows a bit and they can pull things back in the middle overs. Also, Xavier Bartlett to bowl after the break.

In front of the stumps, full in length. Nitish gets the front foot across and gently taps it to short mid-wicket. So 10 runs from Chahal's first.

Drags the length, pitching it outside leg. KL Rahul goes back and drills it to long on for a single. This brings up the 50-run partnership between KL and Rana.

Flat and full, on middle and leg. This is flicked to deep square leg's right for a single.

Slides one on a length, on leg. KL Rahul whips it to the right of long on for a run.

SIX! Stand and deliver! Pitched fuller, on off. KL Rahul gets on the front foot with a decent stride out, gets the bat underneath the ball and smokes it over the long on fence for a six.

A low full toss, around off. Rana walks a step forward and whips it to long on for a single.

Time for some spin as Yuzvendra Chahal has been introduced into the attack right after the Powerplay.

Takes some pace off now, on leg, on a length. KL Rahul clears the front leg away and looks to flat bat down the ground, but plays off the inner half and it rolls back to Jansen. Delhi Capitals end their Powerplay at 68/1.

FOUR! Mistimed but safe to the fence! Hard length from Marco, on top of middle. KL Rahul moves leg side and pulls it off the top edge, but clears the inner ring and the ball races away to the fence.

The dipping low full toss, on off. Nitish clips it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, on leg, KL Rahul dinks it to the backward square leg region and takes a run.

BEAUTY! The length ball that kicks up a bit, on middle and angling to off. KL Rahul is put off by the extra bounce and is beaten on the outside edge, trying to steer it to the off side.

Tails in from off, full in length. Rana flicks it to wide mid on for a quick run.

A massive over for the Capitals. They are motoring away really nicely here. Shashank Singh is going off the field now. Marco Jansen to bowl the last Powerplay over. 1-0-10-0 so far.

SIX! Superb finish to the over! Vijaykumar Vyshak bowls a juicy full toss, down the leg side. KL Rahul makes the most of it and helps it over the fine leg fence for a biggie. 16 runs off Vyshak's first over.

Overpitched and on off, Nitish Rana drills it to sweeper cover for one.

FOUR MORE! Another misfield! Vijaykumar Vyshak sticks to the fuller length, just outside off. Nitish Rana gets his hands through the shot and blazes it through cover-point. Shashank Singh in the deep runs to his right but lets it under him for another boundary.

FOUR! Gets it through this time! Pitched up and just around off. Nitish Rana shows nice wrist work to play the drive and creams it through the gap for a boundary. 50 UP FOR DC.

Fuller and on off, Nitish Rana drives it firmly but straight to extra cover.

Full toss, on middle, KL Rahul drives it to long on for a single.

Will Arshdeep get three overs in a row? Nope, he won't. Here's Vijaykumar Vyshak into the attack.

Good length and around off, takes pace off, Nitish Rana steers it to short third.

Much fuller and on off, Nitish Rana bunts it out to mid off.

Hard length and around off, Nitish Rana punches it through covers for a brace.

FOUR! Sloppy again in the field! Short of a length and just outside off, Nitish Rana cuts it away wide of deep backward point. Priyansh Arya runs to his right with the ball curving away. He gets behind the ball but only manages to parry it to the fence for a boundary.

FOUR! Put away! A full toss, angling into the pads, Nitish Rana just has to get some bat on it and he glances it wide of short fine for a boundary.

Pace off, fuller and on middle, Nitish Rana tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Marco Jansen is introduced into the attack, replacing Xavier Bartlett.

SIX! BANG! KL Rahul goes big now. Bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Rahul picks up the length early, pounces on it and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Fuller and on leg, Nitish Rana tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Arshdeep gets to celebrate eventually as he breaks the opening stand. Nitish Rana walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Arshdeep Singh gets his wicket this time. He hits the deck hard, on middle and off, skids through a bit. Pathum Nissanka stays back and looks to pull it away but the ball is not that short or probably doesn't rise much as Pathum expected it to. It takes the top edge and goes straight up in the air, behind the stumps, where Prabhsimran Singh, the keeper, calls for it. He runs a bit forward and takes a dolly. The Capitals are 28/1 after 2.4 overs.

On a length and on midlde, KL Rahul clips it through square leg for a single.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Would you believe it? Shashank Singh has dropped yet another catch this season. Back of a length and around middle, KL Rahul pulls it but does not get the elevation. It flies straight to deep square leg, where Shashank Singh crouches low and tries to reverse cup it near his chest but spills it and the ball goes over the fence for a boundary. Arsdheep started celebrating too early and is not happy at all with that effort. The replay tells the full story. Shashank turns his head a bit to the right, possibly put off by the sun despite having the glasses on, and takes his eyes off the ball at the crucial moment. As a result, it bursts through his fingers, deflects off his left shoulder to the ground, and trips over the ropes.

Hard length and on off, nips back in a bit, KL Rahul gets cramped up for room and stabs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! 15 runs off the over! Short of a length and on middle, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Pathum Nissanka gets on top of it and heaves it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, KL Rahul pats it towards mid on for a quick one.

Pitched up and on middle and off, Pathum Nissanka knocks it towards mid off for a run.

Slower one, on a length and on off, KL Rahul pats it in front of short cover for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller again, much closer to the stumps this time. KL Rahul takes a couple of steps out. He brings his wrists into play and whips it over the mid on fielder for another boundary.

FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Xavier Bartlett begins with a full delivery, outside off, shaping further away. KL Rahul throws his hands at it, gets it from the outer half of the bat but through the vacant point region for four runs.

Decent first over for both teams. Arshdeep got just a bit of swing, but nothing extravagant. It looks on the slower side and DC will aim to make the most out of the restrictions. Xavier Bartlett will operate from the opposite end.

On a length and around off, KL Rahul opens the face of his bat and steers it to the right of short third for one. 8 runs off the first over!

Short of a length and on off, Pathum Nissanka stays back and punches it through cover-point for another run.

FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length but down the leg side, there to be hit. Pathum Nissanka does not miss out and helps it to the vacant deep fine leg fence for the first boundary of the game.

Right in the blockhole, on off, shapes in a bit, KL Rahul digs it out to the off side for a run.

DC are underway! A full toss, on middle, swinging into the pads, Pathum Nissanka clips it to deep square leg for a single.

BEATEN! Arshdeep Singh starts with a good-length delivery around off, hits the deck and holds its line. Pathum Nissanka has a slash at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

All set to get going in Delhi. Just some relief from the scorching heat for the players and fans as a few clouds are hovering overhead. The two umpires walk out now. Shreyas Iyer leads his men out to the middle as the players of Punjab Kings take their fielding spots. KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka are the two DC openers. Arshdeep Singh will open the attack from PBKS. The countdown is done. Arshdeep vs Nissanka is the first battle coming up, with a slip in place. Here we go!

Impact Players for PBKS - Nehal Wadhera, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Harpreet Brar, Yash Thakur.

Punjab Kings (Unchanged Playing XI) - Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact Players for DC - Vipraj Nigam, Auqib Nabi, Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair.

Delhi Capitals (Unchanged Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (C), Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.

The skipper of Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer says that he feels that it's important to stay in the moment. Adds that you can get complacent, but they have had a couple of good sessions in scorching heat but no one complained. Iyer mentions that it is important to keep working hard. He keeps telling his players to apply the right habits and they are building a good culture in the team and touchwood it's going great. Also says they need to have fun along the way as well. Shreyas shares that he had a chat with Axar before the toss and wanted to bowl anyway, so the toss was inconsequential. Informs they are going with the same team.

The captain of Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel observes that the surface looks pretty dry and it is pretty hot as well. Adds that they will look to put a big total on the board and give their bowlers the chance to defend it. On being asked whether the surface will slow down as the game progresses, Axar agrees to that and hopes that the bowlers will look to use what's on offer. On the importance of winning from here, Axar says they have been playing good cricket but admits that they aren't winning crucial moments and also accepts that they have made silly mistakes which they will look to stop. Informs that they are going unchanged.

TOSS - It's time for the coin-flip in the Capital City. Both the captains Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer are out in the middle now. Axar gives it flick and Iyer calls it incorrectly. Delhi Capitals elect to BAT first.

Time to hear from the DC camp - David Miller admits that it's been an up and down kind of a season, highlighting that they started well and lost two or three games after that. Stresses on starting this game well and get back on winning track and also mentions that their next three games are huge as they will be playing against teams above them in the points table. On how he deals with those ups and downs, Miller accepts that it is never easy but says that in this game you fail a lot than you succeed. Says when you don't do well, it is important to go back to doing what you know best. Stresses the importance of training really hard before the games and put the best foot forward. Adds that he is doing well and enjoying his time with DC. On matchups, Miller says, looking at matchups is really key in this format. Adds that they play against all the different players around the world so often nowadays, so in terms of analysis, there might be a few new cues to look at. But for him, he says, it is more the mystery spinners where a little bit more analysis is needed, as most bowlers can have a similar action. He ends by saying that it is just really making sure you know what you are up against.

A quick chat - PBKS' Cooper Connolly says that it has been a great experience for him so far and they have a world-class team. Says he has learnt a lot from the likes of Shreyas and Stoinis, and has also spent time out there with the openers, watching them go about their business. Adds that their aim is to put pressure on the bowlers in the Powerplay. Connolly mentions that touring with Australia A last year helped him adjust to the Indian conditions and handle the skiddiness of the surfaces here. Says that it wasn't planned to take time in the last game, but the way Priyansh Arya was playing, he had the time to relax a bit and then took on his match-ups which worked. Cooper shares that the team talk has been very positive. They have had a good start to the tournament and will like to continue the momentum. Ends by saying that the key is to stick to the basics and take one game at a time.

Fine margins - There's little to separate these two sides historically, with the head-to-head locked at 17-17. The Arun Jaitley Stadium has been a high-scoring venue, with the average first innings score (last 10 IPL games) of 200, so runs should be on the cards. With Punjab carrying momentum and Delhi playing catch-up, this could come down to who handles the key moments better. Toss and team news in a bit.

Delhi's mixed bag - Delhi Capitals have had a stop-start season but enough signs to stay in the hunt. KL Rahul has been reliable at the top, with his strike rate rising from 151 in the Powerplay to 193 in the middle overs. However, as a team, they have the second-lowest run-rate in the Powerplay. Sameer Rizvi leads their run charts, while Tristan Stubbs has been the glue, allowing David Miller to finish. Nitish Rana finding form last game is another positive. With the ball, Lungi Ngidi has been effective with his variations, while skipper Axar Patel will want more impact alongside Kuldeep Yadav, who will be eager to get one better than his 'Kul-Cha' partner, Chahal.

Punjab's perfect run - Punjab Kings have ticked most boxes so far. Priyansh Arya has been electric with a strike rate of 248, the highest this season, while Cooper Connolly has been solid at number three. The calm presence of Shreyas Iyer has added stability, and although Marcus Stoinis hasn't had much to do, his 2.3 balls per boundary at the death (17-20) since last season makes him a real threat, especially against his former side. With the ball, Arshdeep Singh's return to form has been key, with good support from Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett, while Yuzvendra Chahal continues to lead the spin attack effectively.

Clash at the Capital - We are in the capital city as Delhi Capitals take on Punjab Kings in Match 35 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Welcome to what promises to be an exciting contest between the only unbeaten side this season and a team still searching for consistency. Punjab sit comfortably at the top, while Delhi, with three wins and three losses, know they need to find rhythm quickly in this tightly packed table.

... MATCH DAY ...

Unbeaten force vs inconsistency - As the Indian Premier League 2026 reaches Match 35, the league table is beginning to take a definitive shape. Punjab Kings have stormed into the top tier as the tournament’s undisputed dominant force, remarkably remaining the only unbeaten side so far. In stark contrast, the Delhi Capitals find themselves locked in a gritty mid-table scrap, oscillating between flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency. A quest for the crown - Determined to erase the heartbreak of previous near-misses, the Punjab Kings have been relentless under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. Their batting unit has functioned like a well-oiled machine, with Iyer leading from the front alongside a high-octane trio of Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, and Cooper Connolly. While their bowling remains lethal, bolstered by Arshdeep Singh’s new-ball swing and Yuzvendra Chahal’s mid-innings mastery, their true hurdle lies in the middle order. To secure their maiden title, they must resolve the Wadhera Dilemma, as Nehal Wadhera’s prolonged slump remains the only visible crack in their otherwise impenetrable armour. Also, the Kings need to sort their fielding, as the number of catches they have dropped doesn't give a champion's outlook. Delhi’s quest for consistency - For the Delhi Capitals, the 2026 season has been a story of what could be. Under Axar Patel’s captaincy, the team has survived on individual sparks rather than collective fire. While their spin department, spearheaded by the world-class Kuldeep Yadav, continues to baffle opponents, the batting unit has struggled to find a steady pulse. To ascend the ladder, DC’s senior stars must stop throwing away starts and instead anchor the innings, providing the necessary cushion for a bowling unit that is still searching for its most effective combination. A masterclass in technique and craft - The individual matchups in this contest are set to be absolute showstoppers, starting with the high-stakes opening battle between KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh. Rahul’s legendary composure will be tested by Arshdeep’s ability to move the new ball both ways, a duel that could dictate the entire Powerplay. As the game moves into the middle overs, the focus shifts to the tactical chess match between Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav. Iyer is in the form of his life, but outfoxing his fellow countryman on a weary, spin-friendly Delhi surface will require every bit of his technical prowess. Finally, fans can expect pure fireworks when the raw power of Tristan Stubbs collides with the legendary guile of Yuzvendra Chahal in a classic power vs. craft finale. A deadlock awaiting a break - The history between these two franchises is defined by razor-thin margins. Having met 34 times in the IPL, the head-to-head record is perfectly deadlocked with 17 wins apiece. However, a closer look at recent history suggests a shift in momentum. Delhi has held the upper hand recently, winning 7 of their last 10 encounters. This statistical edge gives the Capitals a psychological boost, even as they face a Punjab side that seems currently invincible. Form (Last 5 completed IPL games, recent first) - DC - LWLLW | PBKS - WWWWW. Adapting to the Delhi surface - The outcome of Match 35 might ultimately hinge on which side better deciphers the evolving conditions in Delhi. On a surface that traditionally rewards slower variations and disciplined spin, Punjab’s path to victory lies in their aggressive top-order, putting DC on the back foot early. On the flip side, Delhi can snatch the points if Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav can effectively choke Punjab’s scoring rate in the middle overs, forcing the unbeaten Kings into a defensive shell. In a game of such high stakes, the winner will be the one who blinks last under the pressure of the death overs.