On Thursday, May 8, the Delhi Capitals (DC) will play the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in Dharamsala. To stay in the playoff race, both teams will try to win when they return.
Third in the standings, PBKS has had a stellar IPL 2025 season thus far. They now have 15 points, which includes three losses and seven victories. One game was canceled because of weather.
However, DC has experienced a minor decline in performance. They dropped to fifth place after losing two of their previous three games. With six victories and four losses from their 11 games, the Capitals presently have 13 points.
A thrilling game is in store as two teams compete for a postseason spot. In light of this, we examine three player clashes to keep an eye on during this match.
1. Shreyas Iyer vs Axar Patel
This will be an interesting confrontation when leaders of the two sides meet on the pitch. Shreyas Iyer, the captain of PBKS, has been in good form and has scored 405 runs in 11 matches, including four fifties with a staggering average of 50.63 and a strike rate of 180.80.
DC will therefore need to hold Iyer accountable. With the ball moving away from the hitter, Axar might be inclined to present himself against Iyer.
In T20 cricket against Axar, the right-handed batsman has amassed 79 runs off of 52 deliveries and has only been dismissed once.
2. KL Rahul vs Arshdeep Singh
KL Rahul has been DC’s highest run-getter in IPL 2025 where he scored 381 runs in 10 innings with a batting average of 47.63 and ‘s three half-centuries. The wicketkeeper-batter has been especially useful every time Delhi triumphs in those games.
Therefore, the game plan of PBKS will be to get rid of Rahul at the earliest in order to have a strong lead. The home side will hope to use their left-arm pacer, Arshdeep Singh to target Rahul during the initial overs of the game.
Rahul has been dismissed twice to Arshdeep in T20s while averaging a meager 31 at a strike rate of 124 in the series.
3. Prabhsimran Singh vs Mitchell Starc
In the last three games, the PBKS opener has scored three half-centuries in a row, demonstrating his outstanding form. Prabhsimran Singh will support himself to launch his team into a furious start by playing another daring knock.
Mitchell Starc, an accomplished DC seamer, could pose a threat to him, though. Even though this is their first meeting, Starc has an advantage because the rookie batter has had trouble with approaching deliveries from left-arm pacers.
