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Delhi Capitals
Punjab Kings
As the league phase of IPL 2025 nears its end, Match 66 brings a crucial clash between the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Capitals on Saturday, May 24. The stakes are high for Punjab, which has already secured a playoff berth but is aiming for a top-two finish.
Currently sitting third on the table, level on points with RCB but behind on net run rate, Punjab need a win to boost their chances of qualifying for Qualifier 1 instead of the eliminator.
In contrast, the Delhi Capitals are out of the playoff race following their loss to the Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. Despite starting their campaign with four straight victories, DCβs campaign crumbled dramatically, making them the first team in IPL history to miss out on the playoffs after such a strong start.
With only pride left to play for, theyβll look to finish the season on a high and potentially spoil Punjabβs push for the top two.
Arshdeep Singh to take 2.5 + wickets β leading their bowling attack with good form.
The betting tip is...
Top Bowler (Punjab Kings)
80 %
20 %
Delhi CapitalsPunjab KingsDelhi Capitals' playoff aspirations were dashed following a 59-run defeat to Mumbai Indians on May 21 at Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a target of 181, DC's batting lineup faltered, culminating in a total of 121 runs in 18.2 overs. This loss marked their seventh in the last eight matches, a stark contrast to their promising start of four consecutive victories.
In the match, KL Rahul opened the batting and scored 11 runs off 16 balls before being dismissed by Trent Boult. The top order struggled, and despite Sameer Rizvi's 39-run effort, the team couldn't build momentum. The bowling unit also faced challenges, with Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 73 leading MI to a formidable total.
Captain Axar Patel was unavailable due to illness, leading to Faf du Plessis stepping in as the stand-in skipper. Mitchell Starc remained suspended, further weakening the bowling attack.
Looking ahead, Delhi Capitals will aim to conclude their season positively in their remaining fixtures.
Predicted Lineup: KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis (c), Abishek Porel (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Vipraj Nigam, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Madhav Tiwari, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman
Punjab Kings come into their penultimate league fixture with strong momentum after a convincing win over Rajasthan Royals in their last outing. That victory pushed them to 17 points from 12 matches, keeping their hopes of a top-two finish very much alive. With Gujarat Titans sitting on 18 points and RCB also on 17 but with a better net run rate, Punjab know that a win against Delhi Capitals is crucial if they want to avoid the eliminator and secure a spot in Qualifier 1.
The team has managed their resources smartly, especially after the departure of Kagiso Rabada. Arshdeep Singh continues to lead the pace attack with maturity, while Kyle Jamieson has filled in Rabadaβs role effectively. Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar have been reliable through the middle overs, and Marcus Stoinis has contributed with both bat and ball since rejoining the squad.
Priyansh Arya remains one of the standout performers of the season and played another impactful knock against Rajasthan. Captain Shreyas Iyer has offered consistency in the middle order, while Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera have played key support roles.
A focused performance against a struggling Delhi Capitals side could set them up perfectly for a top-two finish.
Predicted Lineup: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran, Mitchell Owen, Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Azmatullah, Marco Jansen , Xavier Bartlett , Arshdeep Singh , Chahal , Harpreet Brar
Delhi Capitals are out of the playoffs and looked completely out of rhythm in their loss to Mumbai, while Punjab Kings are flying high after beating Rajasthan and still have a shot at the top two.
With better form, higher motivation, and a balanced XI even without Rabada, Punjab are clear favourites to win this clash and boost their Qualifier 1 hopes.
