Welcome to the last lap of IPL 2025, the heat is rising and so are the emotions. This will be one of the game that fans have been waiting for this season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs. Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur Saturday, May 24. The circumstances could not be any better, as there have never been more pressing circumstances, than both teams fighting for their quests for the playoffs…and some pride. One thing for sure – Come on Fulfill your wingspan chairperson designed to be outdoor an population experience the extra-ordianary brilliance of a day in the heart of Rajasthan.
Backstory on May 8: A Stopped Match
We have also a key backstory, as the last match played between these two was halted. Shreyas Iyer’s DC looked reasonably poised to score a very respectable, possibly even long innings total in the first part of their innings. The match was put on hold. Neither team earned any points, and PBKS get to write their own ticket off the back of the restarts with a chance to avenge their dropped game.
What of course may change . . . Jaipur is not Dharamsala, just as the momentum that PBKS had that day likely would not carry forward into this game.
General Location: Must Win for PBKS
The Delhi Capitals playoff season is now officially over after being eliminated by the Mumbai Indians. The Punjab Kings effort could be pegged through a different prism. If PBKS win here does not ensure Playoffs future aspirations for at least Heavyweight top 2 participants; possibly just providing them for a slim hope for playoffs. In terms of the criteria of that mysterious equation, it may only be revealed later down the track, when potentially they play their last game against MI.
However, they need every point from these last games, so it’s not a game – it’s a must win match.
Key Tactical Explanations
Punjab Kings – Depth, Power & more Australians
This has been a batting unit unlike any PBKS has put on the park, as in 6 of the 8 first innings played, they have posted over 200 runs, a rare feat which was again only previously matched by KKR in 2014. They should now have Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Aaron Hardie. Regardless of what you will assign their power to, PBKS start from a central place of power, with the inclusions of Prabhsimran, Iyer, or even their “only” power hitters like Shashank Singh, PBKS have the balance over the opposition.
Two approaches PBKS may consider:
Their left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar has not been overly useful against left-handers; it could be a trump card against, say, DC’s Porel and Axar (if he is available).
PBKS could throw the spinning approach and then count on their seamers so dots.
Delhi Capitals – Nothing to Lose, Everything to Prove
This season has been an unusual year for DC, ultimately the silver lining from being good or in fact promising was the uncertain inconsistency. for them this game if “freed” of the playoffs effect may just give them an opportunity to be full throttle. There is also the pride of playing spoiler if they can eliminate PBKS, and possibly stamp out their playoff aspiration.
There will be a spin-decision and use of spin as Kuldeep Yadav will be protagonist. Kuldeep has had patches of inspirational form early season (10 wickets in 5 games and economy of 5.6) which provided a brighter look on the season. To finish the season you would hope he needed to spark again.
Team News & Probables
Punjab Kings
Included – Inglis, Stoinis, Hardie, & Omarzai,
Probable XII – Arya, Prabhsimran, Iyer (c), Inglis (wk), Wadhera, Stoinis, Omarzai, Shashank, Jansen, Brar/Vyshak, Arshdeep, Chahal
Delhi Capitals
Doubt -Axar Patel- fever; Vipraj Nigam-hobbling; Mukesh Kumar(c) in cramps
Probable XII – KL Rahul, du Plessis (c), Porel (wk), Rizvi, Stubbs, Ashutosh, Axar/Tiwari, Vipraj, Kuldeep, Chameera, Mustafizur, Mukesh
Match Details Match: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals
Date: Saturday, May 24
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Pitch Report: Great for batting; skiddy bounce, and bowlers will need to mix it up.
Weather: Crazy hot — temperature in the high 40s.
Did you know?
KL Rahul is the only centurion in IPL 2025 ton, in a losing match.
PBKS have scored totals of 200 and above 6 of the 8 times batting 1st — that’s rare.
Vipraj Nigam is one of only five all-rounders this season with 100+ runs and 8+ wickets.
Conclusion
Final Word On paper Punjab Kings have the advantage. They are in solid form, they have the batting fire power, and they have played today. Also, no confusions about availability. Delhi are the wild card with their free and careless attitude. Punjab Kings will have to be disciplined, fearless and ruthless at the very least, not take anything for granted, because the margin for upsets when aiming for the top two is very small.
