PBKS strive for Top 2 finish while DC fight to stay alive in the IPL 2025 playoffs race

In a match affected by uncertainty over its inception, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals would take the field with different stakes. In the wee hours of Wednesday, India completed the 'Operation Sindoor' over terrorist settlements in Pakistan, avenging the heinous Pahalgam terror attacks. The action has raised security concerns as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan. With the neighbours at loggerheads, Dharamsala has emerged as one of the regions to be affected by security measures. As the airport shut down, doubts were raised over the IPL 2025 matches scheduled at the scenic venue. While PBKS vs MI, scheduled on Sunday, has been moved out of Dharamsala, the forthcoming PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 match has been given clearance to unfold as planned earlier.

Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals ready to stage a high-stake contest amid heightened security in dharamsala

Punjab Kings played their last match at the same venue, the PBKS vs LSG match, where the home team gained another two points. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals reached Dharamsala before the security measures restricted air travel to the region. Well settled in the conditions, both the teams are likely to go about the PBKS vs DC match as planned. Keeping the recent developments aside, both teams would hope to attain their needed results in Dharamsala as the IPL 2025 playoffs approach swiftly.

Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants to regain their spot as one of the strongest contenders for a top 2 finish in IPL 2025. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, have been ragged through a hard time in the business end of the season. The team, which started with four consecutive wins, has dropped to a point where an elimination can swiftly catch up if they slip another match from here. DC, led by Axar Patel, is currently in a mid-table tussle with the likes of LSG and KKR. With the belief to break free and aim at a place in the final four, the PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 match is their main shot at a playoff spot.

Punjab Kings have won 7 matches out of the 11 played at the league stage so far. One of the matches, the KKR vs PBKS fixture, was abandoned due to rain at Eden Gardens. Punjab Kings, more likely than not, lost a chance to stand at 16 points today as the points were shared in Kolkata. Nevertheless, the tally is still 15 for the Shreyas Iyer-led side as they look to win the remaining three matches at the league stage to secure a spot in the Qualifier 1 in the IPL 2025 playoffs.

The stint at Dharamsala started with a win for the home team, as LSG went down by 37 runs at the swing-assisting surface at the scenic venue. With the conditions well known to the players and the teams, the PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 match could very well be the last fixture played in Dharamsala. PBKS, meanwhile, would hope to end the stint at their alternate home on a high, just like it started earlier this week.

Punjab Kings were not the only ones affected by rain in IPL 2025. While it proved dampening for PBKS, the rain acted as a lifeline for Delhi Capitals. The SRH vs DC match in Hyderabad was washed out before the home team could start the chase after restricting DC to just 133. Fortunately for the visitors, the rain not only saved them from a possible defeat but gave them the edge of an extra point. Now, DC sits fifth on the IPL 2025 points table with 13 points in 11 matches.

Who are the favorites to win the PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 match?

The Top 4 is already congested, with the likes of RCB, GT, and PBKS already pitted in the race for a Top 2 finish. The remaining spot sees the high chances of five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, locking it for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Thus, if DC is serious about making it into the final four, winning all three games from here would be the best way to go about it.

Interestingly, the teams with rain writing their fate in IPL 2025 oversee the possibility of rain making another appearance in the season. On the eve of the PBKS vs DC match, it rained in Dharamsala, curbing a training session for the respective teams. The forecast is for the clouds to hinder the game as well on Thursday. Meanwhile, it would be a hard test of the DC batting lineup in Dharamsala, on a surface which perfectly aided the swing demands of Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen in the previous fixture.

DC’s batting order has relied on one or two match-winners so far in IPL 2025. A collective show is still awaited as the stakes soar higher and higher. Karun Nair was called to open in the SRH vs DC match, a move that bore no fruits. As the lineup looks unstable, Punjab Kings, with Arshdeep Singh in tow, is in the favoured position to dismantle Axar Patel and Co. in ideal conditions in Dharamsala. DC, meanwhile, have Mitchell Starc to beat PBKS at their own game. With Prabhsimran Singh in sublime form, aided by the strong presence of Shreyas Iyer in the middle, Punjab Kings are kept in the favoured spot for victory in Dharamsala on Thursday.