The Punjab Kings face off against the Delhi Capitals on Thursday before with both sides still in the hunt for the play-offs. Jonhenry Wilson previews.
PBKS v DC – IPL Game 58
Thursday 8 May 2025 – 16:00
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
The Punjab Kings have won two of the last three encounters between these two sides. This is the first encounter between the teams in 2025.
The Capitals were very lucky last time out as they were saved by the rain. Having posted a modest 133 for seven in their 20 overs the heavens opened and SRH never got the chance to bat.
Not surprisingly given their position at the top end of the table, there are plenty of PBKS players in high-profile positions on the list of key tournament statistics. Arshdeep Singh is third on the list of leading wicket-takers with 16 scalps at an average of 18,18. Meanwhile Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer are seventh and ninth on the list of leading run scorers, averaging 39.72 and 50.62 respectively.
Thursday is the start of a very tough run in for Delhi. Their final three fixtures are all against sides above them on the table. After facing PBKS they will then line up against the Gujarat Titans and the Mumbai Indians.
To Win Match
Kings 72/100 | Tie 25/1 Capitals 23/20
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala is one of the most picturesque venues in world cricket. Thursday’s game will be the second of the season to be played at the venue and just the 15th IPL game ever to be played there.
Out of the 14 games played there, teams batting first have won nine times, while teams chasing have won five times.
The highest total scored at the venue is 236/6 made by Punjab Kings in their last game at the venue against LSG on Sunday. The lowest total was 116 all out by Punjab Kings against Deccan Chargers.
Weather:
There is rain predicted every day this week in Dharamsala so it is hard to know if play will go ahead. The forecast put the chance of rain at 30 percent with it most likely to fall in the afternoon and early evening – exactly when play is scheduled to take place. Humidity will be high at 62 percent, but the temperature will be manageable with the maximum in the Himalayan foothills only going as high as 22 degrees.
Form (most recent game first):
- Punjab Kings: W, W, NR, L, W.
- Delhi Capitals: NR, L, L, W, L.
Key players:
Punjab Kings, Prabhsimran Singh:
PBKS are loaded with stars like Shreyas Iyer, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen and Josh Inglis, but one player who has been getting better with each passing week is Prabhsimran Singh. Last time out he was in sparkling form smashing 91 from just 48 balls. But before that he had knocks of 54, 83, 33 and 13. He has been in great form. A wicketkeeper by trade he is often subbed out after batting, but his influence at the top of the order has been instrumental in creating solid platforms for PBKS to launch from. He is a good bet to top score again for PBKS.
Delhi Capitals, Tristan Stubbs:
Last time out the Capitals fell apart in the face of some excellent bowling from Pat Cummins. One man who stood tall was Tristan Stubbs who mounted a valiant rearguard action to bring some sort of respectability to the Capital’s total. Stubbs is averaging 41.5 this campaign with 259 from 10 innings. The key to his success has been his ability to keep his wicket intact and he has been not out on five occasions. He bats lower down the order as a designated finisher, but he is an adaptable batsman capable of fulfilling whatever role is required of him.
Verdict: Punjab Kings 72/100
PBKS are a very good team. They shine as a collective rather than individuals and they are gelling very well at the moment. They looked superb last time out against LSG, and they will want to secure the win that will all but certainly put them into the play-offs. The Capitals’ form is on a downward trajectory with just one win from their last five. They were lucky to escape with a draw against SRH last time out and PBKS, playing the way they are now, should have too much for them.
