Delhi Capitals (DC) recorded a thrilling three-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) to keep their slim IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, it was PBKS' fourth defeat on the trot.
DC pulls off historic chase to down PBKS by 3 wickets
Batting first, PBKS posted a big total of 210/5, thanks to Shreyas Iyer and Priyansh Arya's fifties. In reply, DC put on a show and chased down the massive target with six balls to spare, courtesy to David Miller and Axar Patel's heroic half-centuries. This was DC's highest-ever chase at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
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DC now have 10 points in 12 matches while PBKS have 13 points in 11 games.
David Miller-Axar Patel's fifties in DC's win
The chase began on a turbulent note for the visitors, who found themselves reeling at 33/3 within the first five overs. However, the experienced duo of Axar Patel and David Miller stabilized the innings with a vital 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Axar was particularly clinical, striking 56 off 30 balls, while Miller contributed a fierce 51 off 28 deliveries. Miller’s departure, following a spectacular catch by Prabhsimran Singh off debutant Ben Dwarshuis, briefly shifted the momentum back toward Punjab.
With 41 runs required from the final 21 balls, the pressure moved to the lower order. Ashutosh Sharma and young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, playing just his second IPL match, displayed remarkable composure to bridge the gap. Madhav’s quick-fire 18* off eight balls and Ashutosh’s aggressive 24 off 10 deliveries brought Delhi within striking distance.
The finishing touches were provided by Auqib Nabi, who sealed the historic win by dispatching Yash Thakur for a six and a four in the penultimate over. By reaching the target with a full over to spare, Delhi’s lower-order depth proved to be the difference-maker in a high-scoring thriller that reshaped the playoff race.
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Priyansh Arya-Shreyas Iyer's exploits in vain
Earlier, PBKS posted a total of 210/5 after a high-octane battle at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. Opting to field first in a must-win scenario, the Delhi Capitals introduced five changes to their lineup, but they were immediately put on the back foot by a blistering start from PBKS opener Priyansh Arya. The left-hander dominated the powerplay, dismantling the DC attack to help his side race to 51 runs within the first three overs.
Arya was particularly ruthless against veteran Mitchell Starc, looting 22 runs from the opening over of the match. His aggressive knock of 56 off 33 balls featured six towering sixes and maintained a relentless tempo against Lungi Ngidi and Mukesh Kumar. While the high-altitude conditions in Dharamsala initially caused the Delhi pacers to struggle with their lengths, they eventually found their rhythm by hitting the deck harder and adjusting to the surface.
The Capitals' fightback was initiated by Mukesh Kumar, who dismissed Prabhsimran Singh, and young pacer Madhav Tiwari, who claimed his maiden IPL wicket by removing the dangerous Arya in the ninth over. Although Punjab reached 107/2 at the halfway mark, Delhi’s disciplined middle-overs bowling—led by Aquib Nabi’s tight seam movement—prevented the scoring rate from spiraling out of control.
Despite the pressure, Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer anchored the latter half of the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, sharing an 83-run partnership with Cooper Connolly. While Mitchell Starc provided a late surge for Delhi by taking two wickets in two balls during the 19th over, a late cameo from Suryansh Shedge ensured Punjab crossed the 200-mark. Ultimately, a composed final over from Lungi Ngidi restricted the Kings to 210, which DC overhauled in 19 overs.