Punjab close in on the playoffs as PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 clash called off in Dharamsala

In an unfortunate end to Thursday's Indian Premier League game, the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was called off due to a floodlight failure at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The floodlight failure forced a premature end to the clash, as the game was subsequently called off with both teams getting a point apiece for this match. 

The game was set for a delayed start due to rain and a wet outfield, as we lost nearly an hour’s play on Thursday in Dharamsala. When the rain died down, we eventually had the toss at 8:15 PM, with the game kicking off at 8:30 PM. Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bat first. PBKS went with the same line-up while Delhi Capitals made a couple of changes - giving a debut to all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, as Sameer Rizvi also returned to their line-up. 

Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh came out to bat for the hosts, and they got off to a blistering start. Priyansh Arya started with two consecutive boundaries off the first two balls, taking on the talismanic Mitchell Starc. He carried on with another boundary in the next over against Dushmanta Chameera. 

Prabhsimran Singh, who has three fifties in his last three games, started to tee off from the other end as well, as he hit Mitch Starc for three boundaries in his next over. Chameera from the other end also was taken to the cleaners, as Priyansh Arya smoked him for two sixes and a four, as Punjab Kings got to fifty within the first four overs. 

Another impressive knock in his breakthrough season 👏

Priyansh Arya with his 3⃣rd fifty-plus score in #TATAIPL 2025 🔝

Updates ▶ https://t.co/R7eQDiYQI9 #PBKSvDC | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/LzIQwW5LB1

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 8, 2025

Delhi introduced spin early as skipper Axar Patel came on to ball, but he was hit for a six and a four as well as Punjab closed out the powerplay at 69 without any wickets lost. Priyansh Arya carried on even after the powerplay ended, as he struck a six off Axar Patel and got to his 50 off just 25 balls. Debutant Madhav Tiwari was given the ball shortly after, but he went for a couple of boundaries as Arya continued to score at a strike rate of nearly 200, while Punjab crossed the century mark within nine overs. 

Arya clobbered onto the HPCA roof next over against Kuldeep Yadav, and then Prabhsimran picked up a boundary as well to notch up another fifty for the season. The wicket fell on the first ball of the 11th over, as Arya skewed a top edge onto the short third fielder. Shreyas Iyer had just walked out to bat when the floodlight failure occurred at the stadium, bringing a premature end to the clash. With time already of the essence due to the delayed start, the match officials called off the game shortly after. 

What does this no result mean for both teams?

With the points being shared in the 58th match of the IPL 2025, it is an advantage for Punjab Kings. They march on to 16 points and find themselves in third place. In all likelihood, one more win will most likely ensure they qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Shreyas Iyer’s side will now travel to Ahmedabad, where they will play the Mumbai Indians, in a game that was rescheduled from Dharamsala. They finish their league season with a game against Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. One win in their remaining two games should be good enough. 

For the Delhi Capitals, this no result leaves them at 14 points with two games to go. They need to win both their remaining games to give themselves the best chance of qualifying. They will first play Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, and will then lock horns with Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. Their final game against Mumbai Indians could be a potential straight shootout for which team finishes in the top four.