IPL LIVE: Delhi Capitals face uphill task against table-toppers Punjab Kings

Delhi Capitals batter Tristan Stubbs has played down concerns around the team’s batting, saying it has appeared “worse” mainly because they have been chasing in every match this season, while also admitting that they are yet to put together a “perfect” innings.

DC, who have three wins and three losses from six games, are yet to set a target in the tournament so far, something Stubbs believes has significantly influenced perceptions of their batting displays.

All three of their defeats have come while chasing totals above 200, exposing their struggles in high-pressure run-chases. They also failed to breach the 200-run mark in two of those games, losing to Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs and Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs.

"It has seemed worse because we have been chasing every game. The other day, we lost three wickets in an over and we didn't bat very well. We still made 190 something," Stubbs said at the pre-match press conference.

"Yes, we haven't had the perfect innings, but we have won three out of six. Even when we have lost, we have still scored 190.

"We know there are a couple of small moments here and there in the games. We are scoring these big scores. We are not too worried. Everyone is really positive and everyone is batting well, so that is quite exciting," he added.

With Delhi often losing early wickets in clusters, Stubbs has regularly been required to stabilise the innings in the middle order, batting anywhere between No. 5 and No. 7 depending on the situation.

"I don’t really mind where I come in. If there is an opportunity to bat higher up the order, I will be more than happy to do it."

"I have batted through my whole career from 3 to 6. It changes all the time. With Test cricket as well, it has allowed me to be able to try and change gears and do what

"I think is right out there. In those two games, fortunately the rate never got away from us. It was always one partnership in both those games. I firmly believe in batting in partnerships and that is what I try and do my best."

The Feroz Shah Kotla surface has not produced many high-scoring games this season, including during the T20 World Cup and IPL, and Stubbs is hoping Saturday’s afternoon fixture follows a similar pattern.

"From the (T20) World Cup to now, we haven’t seen an absolute belter here. It will probably be really similar. Hopefully it is really low, ragging and 120 plays 120. That will be great," Stubbs said.

Table-toppers Punjab Kings, who finished runners-up last season, have once again stood out as one of the most consistent teams, performing strongly across departments. Even so, Bahutule pointed out that there is still scope for improvement, particularly with the new ball.

"When it comes to bowling, the new-ball phase has been decent, but that’s an area we need to improve. The middle and death overs have been fabulous for us,” he said.

Looking ahead, he also backed the team’s batting depth to cope with different match situations.

"Going forward, there will be situations where the batters might not get a start, but I think we are very well-equipped. There is depth in our batting,” he added.

Punjab’s bowling group has functioned effectively as a unit so far, something Bahutule credited to clarity in roles and execution.

"With our Indian bowlers like (Vijaykumar) Vyshak and Arshdeep Singh, along with (Xavier) Bartlett, it makes a huge difference in understanding what is required in different phases,” he said.

“In the second phase, execution becomes crucial, and so far, they have done that according to plan. We try to keep things simple and use them optimally in different situations, and they have responded really well,” Bahutule added.

Young Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly will be available for Punjab Kings’ IPL clash against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has confirmed. The 22-year-old had briefly returned to Australia for precautionary scans on his back, with Cricket Australia closely monitoring his bowling workload and fitness.

"Yes, he's very much available. He just went there and has come back. He's ready and raring to go,” Bahutule said on the eve of PBKS’ match against DC.

In his debut IPL season, Connolly has played a key role in Punjab’s strong run to the top of the table, scoring 223 runs at a strike rate of 163.97, including unbeaten knocks of 72 and 87.

However, the spin-bowling all-rounder is yet to bowl a single over in the tournament so far.

In IPL 2020, Shreyas Iyer was the captain of Delhi Capitals, and under his leadership, the team reached its first IPL final. In that season, Iyer contributed significantly with the bat as well, scoring 519 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 123.27. Soon after, when he became the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, the team won their third title after 12 years under his leadership, and he contributed 351 runs in 15 matches.

In IPL 2025, he was picked by the Punjab Kings, and the team reached the final for the first time in 11 years. That season turned out to be career-defining for Iyer, as he delivered his most explosive batting performance, accumulating 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07.

One common factor in his leadership is that he not only guides his teammates but also contributes himself, whether on the field or with the bat, relieving pressure in tight matches.

Last year in Qualifier 2 against the Mumbai Indians, he single-handedly dominated the chase, even hitting the world’s best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, for a six with complete authority.

Punjab Kings and India left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh spent time interacting with a group of young children, answering every question thrown at him as part of the franchise’s new social media series, ‘The Real Kings’.

The children, brought in from a local NGO with support from NamMyoho Daan Foundation and Phool Versha Foundation, met Arshdeep in a setting described as candid and heartwarming, according to a release.

With no filters and no hesitation, they asked questions fans rarely get access to, and Arshdeep responded in his trademark easygoing style.

Known for his warmth off the field, Arshdeep once again showed why he leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets. The video highlights his personality well — honest, light-hearted and humorous — as he handles questions only children could come up with.

The pacer, who is often active on social media through engaging reels and interactions, also underlined his commitment to connecting with young fans beyond the boundary rope.

Founded in 2020, the NamMyohoDaan Foundation has reached thousands of students across multiple cities through structured initiatives, including ‘Hasti Masti Khel’, a sports-led programme that uses live match exposure and community fan zones to help build confidence and teamwork among children.

‘The Real Kings’ will continue to feature more Punjab Kings players in the coming weeks, reflecting the franchise’s effort to build deeper and more authentic connections between players and the communities they represent.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will aim to extend their unbeaten run in IPL 2026 when they face Delhi Capitals away on April 25.

"It has seemed worse because we've been chasing every game. The other day we lost three wickets in an over and we pretty much didn't bat very well, but we still made 190 something. Yes, we haven't had that perfect innings but on a bad day, we have won three out of six. Even when we've lost, we've still scored 190. We know there's been a couple of small moments here and there in the games but we are scoring these big scores so we're not too worried. Everyone's really positive and everyone's batting well, so that's quite exciting."

- Tristan Stubbs on DC's batting woes

"Yes, he's very much available. He just went [back to Australia] and he's come back [after some fitness tests]. He's very much ready and raring to go because I think he's somebody who is in his first year in the IPL. In his first year in the Indian conditions, he's responded really well and he's a great kid. He's definitely a player who's looking forward for every game and is very keen to perform for the side."

- PBKS spin coach Sairaj Bahutule on Cooper Connolly's availability

DC Probable XII:

Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel (c), Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan

PBKS Probable XII:

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Punjab Kings spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has credited the franchise’s unbeaten run in IPL 2026 to the strong culture and values laid down by head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer since last season.

“See, I think it started from last year and the way they have played and operated on the field from last year. I think the culture which has been built by Ricky, the values which have been built by him from last year itself, have been taken forward this year. So the success of last year, whatever, yes, we didn't go further and win the finals.

"But I think that culture which was created, the same sort of values have been taken forward. Each one is understanding their responsibilities. With Shreyas being the captain and Ricky being the head coach, the collaboration is so good that we are very clear in terms of how we want to approach each game.

"I think all of us know that this tournament is quite a high-risk, high-pressure tournament. Yes, we started really well. We have been playing really well in terms of batting, bowling and fielding. But I think as a group we know that we have to take one game at a time and not go too ahead of ourselves and be as much in the present as possible and that's what we have been doing each game.

"One is understanding who we play against, what the opposition is, where we are playing. So all these points we just consider and move slowly and steadily in terms of each game. So now we look forward for the game tomorrow. It's an afternoon game. Things change in terms of adaptation. So small steps will take us to where we want to go," Bahutule said, replying to a query from IANS in the pre-match press conference.

Punjab Kings’ bowling attack, especially in the death overs, has been effective in putting pressure on opposition batters. Bahutule also praised fast bowling coach James Hopes for the work done with the pace unit, which includes Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Xavier Bartlett and Marco Jansen.

"I think with our Indian bowlers, with Vyshak, Arshdeep and obviously Bartlett, it makes a huge difference in terms of understanding how and what is needed for them in the different phases. In the second phase, obviously a lot of execution is important. I think in all the games till now, they have executed according to the plans.

"We try and keep it very simple. We don't complicate things and whatever the bowlers, all these bowlers who are bowling really well. Marco also can be used in any phase. We try and see how they can be used to their optimal in different phases and they have been responding really well. I think James Hopes, who is our fast bowling coach, he has done a wonderful job with all these bowlers. I think the clarity is so good that it helps them to perform better," he added.

Bahutule, who has followed Shreyas Iyer’s development closely as both hail from Mumbai, lauded the PBKS captain’s leadership qualities and calmness under pressure.

"I think he has been a Mumbai boy and I have seen his growth over a period of time. His leadership qualities are something which are special in the way that he is not only responsible towards himself but also to the 10 guys who are playing on the field as well as his collaboration with all the support staff as well as guys who are not playing is phenomenal.

"I think the rapport he has with each player and he understands them, he knows how to get the best out of a player on the field. He is somebody who is very calm and composed in terms of his understanding towards the situation. Once you are calm and composed, you obviously have clarity in your thought process and I think that is what he does.

"In a pressure situation, he knows exactly how to handle that. If any of the players by chance don't play to their potential that particular time, he will still make sure that he believes in them and calms them off and gets the best out of them. So I think he is very special. I think in the coming time, he will have some future as a captain as well," he elaborated.

On whether maintaining their winning momentum will add pressure, Bahutule acknowledged challenges ahead but expressed confidence in the squad’s balance and depth.

"Yes, we will be under pressure at some stage. Like last game also, we batted first, which we hadn't done for the previous game. So yes, we batted really well. Moving ahead, we will be put into different situations where sometimes the batters might, you know, maybe we don't get a start.

"But I think we are so well equipped in our batting order that there is a depth in it. When it comes to bowling, again, new ball bowling is something which, again, it's good. But we need to improve on that. But otherwise, again, the mid and the death overs have been fabulous for us. So I think each department has its own understanding," he signed off.

Delhi Capitals have brought in England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for his compatriot Ben Duckett for the remainder of the IPL 2026 season.

As per an official IPL media advisory, Rehan has been signed for INR 75 lakh. The 21-year-old right-arm leg-spinner has already represented England across formats, playing five Tests, nine ODIs and 13 T20Is, and has claimed 49 international wickets so far.

Duckett had pulled out just before the start of the season, marking a setback for what would have been his maiden IPL stint, in order to focus on England duties following a demanding Ashes tour. Delhi Capitals did not name an immediate replacement at that stage and instead adjusted their batting combination, with Pathum Nissanka opening alongside KL Rahul.

Rehan, initially known for his wrist-spin, has also made steady progress with the bat. In the 2025 County Championship for Leicestershire, he scored 760 runs at an impressive average of 50.66, including five centuries, while also picking up 23 wickets at 19 apiece.

He also made a strong impression during the 2026 T20 World Cup with his ability to break key partnerships. In T20Is for England, Rehan has taken 15 wickets in 13 matches and brings additional franchise experience from leagues such as the Big Bash League and The Hundred.

Delhi Capitals have received a timely boost in IPL 2026 with Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc joining the team camp after recovering from injury.

The franchise confirmed the development via its official Instagram handle, announcing the arrival of the left-arm quick ahead of their high-profile clash against unbeaten Punjab Kings in Match 35 of the season on Saturday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

However, Starc is unlikely to feature in the contest against PBKS and is being viewed as a potential return option for Delhi’s fixture against Rajasthan Royals on May 1.

The 36-year-old has been out of action since late January due to shoulder and elbow issues, which followed a demanding workload during the Ashes series, where he was named Player of the Series after picking up 31 wickets at an average of 19.93.

He had bowled over 150 overs across five Tests before turning out for five matches for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. His last outing came against Perth Scorchers, where he landed awkwardly while attempting a catch, injuring his left shoulder and elbow.

Although he briefly resumed bowling later, persistent soreness delayed his arrival for the IPL season.

Starc’s return to the squad will be a significant boost for Delhi Capitals, who are currently placed sixth on the points table and searching for consistency in their campaign.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is on the cusp of a major milestone in the Indian Premier League, needing just 61 more runs to enter the 4,000-run club.

The landmark could come against an emotional backdrop as PBKS take on his former team Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.

In 139 IPL matches so far, Iyer has amassed 3,939 runs at an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 135.26. His tally includes 30 half-centuries, with a highest score of 97 not out.

He has been in excellent touch this season as well, scoring 208 runs in five innings at an average of 52.00 and a striking strike rate of 182.45, including a best of 69 not out.

For Punjab Kings, Iyer has been particularly influential, scoring 812 runs in 23 matches (22 innings) at an impressive average of 50.75 and a strike rate of 176.90, with nine fifties and a top score of 97 not out.

During his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders from 2022 to 2024, he scored 752 runs in 29 matches and 28 innings at an average of 34.18 and a strike rate of just over 140, including five half-centuries, with a best of 85.

However, his most prolific IPL phase came with Delhi Capitals, the franchise where he remains their fourth-highest run-scorer of all time. For DC, Iyer accumulated 2,375 runs in 87 matches and innings at an average of 31.66 and a strike rate close to 124, including 16 fifties. His highest score for the franchise is an unbeaten 96.

Delhi Capitals will need a special, near-flawless performance to revive their stuttering IPL 2026 campaign when they take on table-toppers Punjab Kings on Saturday.

It already looks like a daunting assignment for the Axar Patel-led side, who are coming off a comprehensive 47-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad and now face a Punjab unit that has been relentless this season.

With three wins and three losses from six matches, Delhi are stuck in the bottom half of the table in sixth place. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, remain the only unbeaten side in the competition, sitting comfortably at the top with 11 points from six games – their only dropped point coming from a washed-out clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.

A major worry for Delhi has been their inconsistent batting. While KL Rahul, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi have all chipped in at different stages, the unit has rarely clicked as a collective.

Opener Pathum Nissanka has managed starts but has not been able to convert them into big scores, often leaving the middle order under pressure to rebuild and accelerate.

Captain Axar Patel, too, will be expected to contribute more with the bat. His tactical decisions have also come under the scanner, particularly in the previous match where Delhi struggled to respond to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma. Axar persisted with part-time options like Nitish Rana, while underutilising frontline bowlers such as himself and Kuldeep Yadav, exposing a lack of clarity in game plans.

The absence of a defined Plan B has further highlighted Delhi’s struggles under pressure situations.

Fielding has only added to their woes, with missed stumpings, dropped catches and failed run-out chances proving costly at key moments, denying them control in crunch phases of games.

While the bowling has looked comparatively more stable than the batting, it still lacks the bite and aggression required to consistently dominate strong batting line-ups.

Against a powerful Punjab Kings batting unit, DC’s bowlers will need to be far more disciplined, precise and proactive.

Punjab Kings, in contrast, have operated like a well-oiled machine. Their batting depth and consistency were on full display in their 254/7 against Lucknow Super Giants – the highest total of the season so far.

At the top, Prabhsimran Singh has been in blistering form with 211 runs, giving Punjab explosive starts, while skipper Shreyas Iyer has matched him stride for stride with 208 runs at a strike rate of 182.45.

They have been well supported by Priyansh Arya (211 runs) and Cooper Connolly (223 runs), giving PBKS both stability and firepower throughout the order.

Their bowling unit has also functioned as a collective strength. Even without a single standout wicket-taker leading the charts, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett and Vyshak Vijaykumar have all contributed consistently, maintaining pressure across phases.

With momentum firmly on their side, Punjab Kings will start as clear favourites. For Delhi Capitals, it will take a near-perfect outing in all three departments to halt the leaders’ charge and breathe life back into their campaign.

What: DC vs PBKS IPL match

When: Saturday, April 25, 3:30PM IST

Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi

Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming

Captains: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS and Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals)

Standings: PBKS (top), DC (6th)

Squads

Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (captain), KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Nitish Rana, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Lungi Ngidi, Vipraj Nigam, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi Dar, Mitchell Starc, Kyle Jamieson and Rehan Ahmed

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey, and Vishal Nishad

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of IPL 2026 match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

An unbeaten Punjab Kings will aim to extend their flawless run in IPL 2026 when they take on an inconsistent Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides arrive with contrasting fortunes. PBKS have won five of their six matches, with one no-result, and are perched at the top of the table. DC, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold with three wins and three losses, placing them sixth in the standings.

What has made Punjab Kings so dominant is the consistency of their combination. Shreyas Iyer’s team has used just 12 players this season – the fewest by any side – and that stability has translated into clarity of roles and execution on the field.

Their batting has been the standout unit in the tournament. PBKS boast an overall run-rate of 11.3, are joint-best in the powerplay (11.3), and top the charts in the middle overs as well (11 runs per over). With 69 sixes – the second-highest in the competition – they have consistently kept opposition bowlers under pressure.

At the top, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have set the tone. Delhi-born Arya has 211 runs at a staggering strike rate of 248, including 152 runs in the powerplay at 258. Prabhsimran has been equally impactful, scoring 211 runs at an average of 52.8 and striking at 187 against pace.

Together, the duo have carried forward their momentum from IPL 2025, stitching 197 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 221. Behind them, Cooper Connolly has emerged as a breakout performer, scoring 223 runs at 55.8 while showing maturity in rebuilding innings before accelerating.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer has also been in excellent touch, registering three fifties so far. He returns to familiar surroundings in New Delhi, where he previously led Delhi Capitals – including guiding them to the 2020 final. This will be his first IPL appearance at the venue since 2019, and he will be eager to put on a show in front of a familiar crowd.

Punjab’s bowling has clicked as a unit rather than relying on individual brilliance. Arshdeep Singh has rediscovered rhythm after a wicketless start, picking up six wickets in his last three matches. Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, and Vyshak Vijaykumar have all complemented him well, while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal remains the key wicket-taking option in the middle overs.

Overall, PBKS have been firing in sync, and for Delhi Capitals to halt their charge, they will need to bridge the gap between occasional individual sparks and sustained collective execution. If Arya and Prabhsimran get off to another flying start, DC’s bowlers will be under immediate pressure to strike early – something they have struggled to do consistently.

Delhi’s powerplay batting strike-rate of 8.7 is among the lowest in the competition, and much will depend on openers Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul to set a stronger tempo, especially if they are chasing totals above 200.

Beyond the top order, DC’s frequent batting reshuffles and rotating Impact Player choices have prevented them from settling on a stable combination. While David Miller has been effective in the death overs despite a rare failure in the last match, Tristan Stubbs has shown adaptability but still needs to overcome slow starts.

With the ball, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be expected to deliver in tandem – something that has rarely happened this season. Against SRH, both bowled only two overs each, while part-time spinner Nitish Rana completed his full quota and proved expensive.

At the death, Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan have been among the most economical bowlers in overs 17–20 this season, offering DC their best chance of containing a powerful PBKS batting line-up.

As things stand, another win for Punjab Kings would reinforce their best-ever start to an IPL campaign, while a defeat for Delhi Capitals could push them further into a tightening mid-table battle for playoff spots.