PBKS vs DC: Delhi finish IPL 2025 with win, add spice to top two race

India Today

24-05-2025

Delhi Capitals have added some spice to the top two race as they defeated Punjab Kings by 6 wickets in Jaipur on Saturday, May 24. Sameer Rizvi's 58 off 25 balls was the difference in the end for Delhi, as Punjab wasted their chance to go to the top of the table and edge closer to a top two finish.Rizvi and Karun Nair's 44 were crucial on a track that helped the batters a lot as Delhi ended their campaign with a win as they ended a four-match losing streak. This fixture was initially played in Dharamshala on May 8 when the game had to be stopped due to the increasing cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The toss was won by DC in Jaipur amidst not a lot of fanfare on the night. It seemed like the energy was a bit low at the Sawai Mansingh stadium for the match, as RR were already out and the game didn't have a lot of significance for Delhi.advertisementThe Capitals tasted some early success as Priyansh Arya was dismissed early by Mustafizur Rahman. Josh Inglis and Prabhsimran would launch a counter-attack against Delhi as they ensured that PBKS' run-rate remained high. Inglis scored 32 off 12 balls and looked to be on the offensive as the duo added 47 runs before Vipraj Nigam dismissed the Aussie wicketkeeper.
Prabhsimran was joined by Shreyas, who started with a boundary. Prabhsimran was a bit subdued by DC but Kuldeep Yadav gave him a gift in the form of a no-ball and the PBKS batter ensured that the free hit went out of the park. He would get a boundary off Viraj before the DC bowler had his revenge off the next ball. This was a sign for Shreyas to change gears and he greeted Kuldeep with a six in the next over. While Vipraj was able to keep the PBKS batters in check, the rest of the bowlers failed to hit the mark.advertisementKuldeep conceded 36 off his 3 overs with Shreyas taking him on. Mukesh dismissed Nehal Wadhera, but Shreyas continued his fine form with a couple of boundaries. He got a lucky break twice when he was saved by DRS after being given out off the bowling of Mohit Sharma. He was then saved again as Kuldeep dropped a tough chance.PBKS vs DC: Highlights | ScorecardShashank Singh's stay was a very brief one as Stoinis came in to change the game. A wayward 17th over from Mukesh Kumar changed things for Punjab as the Aussie all-rounder hit two sixes and boundary off the Delhi pacer before Shreyas hit a four to get to his fifty.Stoinis got lucky as Mohit dropped a sitter before Kuldeep finally dismissed Shreyas for 53 off 34 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai also fell in the same over but by then, Stoinis got a good measure of things in the middle. The all-rounder, who revealed he battled covid and returned for the tournament, took apart Mohit for 22 off the 19th over. Mustafizur limited the damage in the final over but PBKS ended up with 206 runs in the first innings.The Delhi innings was off to a strong start as KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis scored 50 off just five overs, with the former scoring 35 off 21 balls. Jansen dismissed Rahul in the final over of powerplay but Karun came in and hit the pacer for a six as 61 came off the first six.advertisementHowever, Du Plessis' wicket in the next over put the breaks on the scoring a bit and started to get Punjab into the contest. Sediqullah Atal, who was making his IPL debut, showed promise and started with a six off Jansen but the scoring was being put in check by Punjab.Atal fell at the start of the 11th over as Pravin Dubey made a mark with the ball. Karun, who was back in the Indian team after 3000 days, hit four boundaries on the trot to get the momentum back into the innings. Sameer Rizvi provided good support from the other end as he also started to take on the bowlers.The 14th over of Jansen went for 18 runs as Karun and Rizvi ensured we were set for a grand finish. Harpreet Brar was brought back into the attack and was hit for a boundary by Karun. However, the PBKS spinner got the last laugh as he cleaned up for Karun.advertisementThis brought Stubbs to the middle but Rizvi continued to lead the charge from the other end. The last over from Brar went for 14 runs as DC needed 34 off the last three. Rizvi got a couple of boundaries off Omarzai to make the equation 22 off 12 balls.Shreyas turned to Arshdeep for the penultimate over and Rizvi picked up the knuckleball from the pacer and deposited it into the stands and got to his fifty in 22 balls. A boundary from Stubbs made the equation to be in favor of Delhi as Stoinis bowled the final over. However, a six from Rizvi ended the game for Delhi, who were able to end on a high after a season that promised a lot.Delhi needs to stop losing control in gamesWhile RCB and PBKS will have a chance to win the IPL title for the first time, DC will head home and wait for another season. The Capitals looked like one of the teams to beat after the auction and they were off to a sensational start winning four on the trot.However, where DC have lost games is their inability to go for the kill at the right time and lose complete control of the contest. This happened during their losses to MI this season, where there were points when Delhi were on top. This pattern continued in the loss to KKR and against PBKS, the bowlers lost control and allowed Stoinis to take them apart.advertisementTo be a champion side, this is one aspect that DC will need to solve in IPL 2026. They do have a few good players to bank on with the likes of Rizvi, Ashutosh and Vipraj being ones to build the franchise around for the next few seasons. But it is all about mentality for them next season.PBKS left in a spot with the lossIt seems like no one wants to finish in the top two this season. GT were the first to lose the advantage and then RCB followed. Now PBKS had the chance to take the advantage and they have fluffed it. It was unusual to see the Punjab bowling concede a lot of runs and lose discipline. They did miss the services of Yuzvendra Chahal, who was rested for the game.Now, Punjab have a big test ahead of them in the form of MI, who have been in great form heading into the playoffs. The final four maybe settled but the top two is where everyone wants to be in. PBKS vs MI could prove to be the one that finishes off the debate and it will happen in Jaipur on May 26.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!Tune InMust Watch
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