The 35th match of the Indian Premier League 2026 saw a nail-biting and high-scoring tussle ever witnessed in IPL history between Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings. Performed on 25 April 2026 in Delhi, this match offered everything a cricket fan can want — fireworks with the bat, the highest partnerships, and an exhilarating chase.
Both teams came out zero to the point on bowlers carrying into control the run flow — from the first ball, both were brutal toward one another. A score that looked match-winning in the first innings was overhauled in dramatic fashion — and had fans up in arms.
Match Summary
- Match: Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings, 35th Match
- Date: 25 April 2026
- Venue: Delhi
- Result: Punjab Kings won by 6 wickets
- Toss: Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to bowl
First Innings: Delhi Capitals Batting
Delhi Capitals (DC) walked out with their attacking mindset. The pitch was very much on the batting favourable side and Punjab Kings were exceedingly poor with their bowling execution, so Delhi’s top-order batters made them pay.
KL Rahul was the captain once again today and he batted extremely well scoring one of the best innings of the season. He mixed elegance with brute force, and mercilessly hammered boundaries at will, propping the scoreboard up.
Abishek Porel offered valuable support at the other end, keeping Delhi in full flow throughout the innings.
Delhi Capitals Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul (c) | 152* | 65 | 14 | 9 | 233.84 |
| Abishek Porel | 45 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 180.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 20* | 10 | 2 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Others | – | – | – | – | – |
Total: 264/2 in 20 overs
Punjab Kings Bowling
Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowlers had a tough outing. None of them could find consistency or control as Delhi batters dominated throughout.
Punjab Kings Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 52 | 1 | 13.00 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 4 | 60 | 0 | 15.00 |
| Rahul Chahar | 4 | 45 | 1 | 11.25 |
| Sam Curran | 4 | 55 | 0 | 13.75 |
| Others | 4 | 52 | 0 | – |
Fall of Wickets – Delhi Capitals
| Wicket | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Wicket | 120 | 9.2 |
| 2nd Wicket | 210 | 16.5 |
Second Innings: Punjab Kings Chase
Having chased down a mammoth target of 265 runs, Punjab Kings needed a blistering start and they got it. Their openers started off with attacking intent, putting Delhi bowlers under pressure right from the outset.
Prabhsimran Singh played a blistering knock, scoring quick runs in the powerplay and setting the tone for the chase.
Shreyas Iyer played excellently, mixing both aggressiveness and being calm. His innings kept Punjab Kings on course right throughout the chase.
Then it was Rana who held down the ship in the middle overs, keeping the required run rate to be achieved and also building partnerships.
Punjab Kings Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prabhsimran Singh | 76 | 26 | 8 | 5 | 292.30 |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 30 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 150.00 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 71 | 41 | 6 | 3 | 173.17 |
| Nitish Rana | 91 | 45 | 7 | 5 | 202.22 |
| Others | – | – | – | – | – |
Total: 265/4 in 18.5 overs
Delhi Capitals Bowling
Delhi bowlers had no answers to Punjab’s aggressive batting approach. Despite having a big total on the board, they failed to defend it.
Delhi Capitals Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anrich Nortje | 4 | 58 | 1 | 14.50 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4 | 47 | 1 | 11.75 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | 3.5 | 50 | 1 | 13.04 |
| Axar Patel | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Others | 3 | 68 | 0 | – |
Fall of Wickets – Punjab Kings
| Wicket | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Wicket | 93 | 5.5 |
| 2nd Wicket | 120 | 8.2 |
| 3rd Wicket | 180 | 13.4 |
| 4th Wicket | 230 | 16.5 |
Match Highlights
This match will be remembered as one of the greatest run chases in IPL history. Here are the key highlights:
- KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 was one of the best innings of the tournament
- Punjab Kings scored over 100 runs in the powerplay
- The match saw a total of more than 500 runs
- Bowlers from both teams struggled throughout the game
- Punjab Kings chased down the target with 7 balls remaining
Turning Points of the Match
The match had several crucial moments that shifted momentum:
- Explosive Powerplay: Punjab Kings’ aggressive start removed scoreboard pressure
- Middle Overs Stability: Partnerships between Iyer and Rana kept the chase alive
- Death Overs Execution: Punjab batters maintained composure and finished strongly
Player of the Match
KL Rahul was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding unbeaten 152 runs. Despite being on the losing side, his innings was truly exceptional and set a benchmark for batting excellence.
Detailed Match Analysis
This match also served as a reminder of which era T20 cricket is going through – where 260 and more does not seem entirely safe. It was a batter’s wicket in Delhi and both teams availed it.
While Delhi Capitals batted to plan, the team lost discipline in bowling. In contrast, Punjab Kings displayed phenomenal conviction in their reply, pacing their chase with circumspection before playing some aggressive strokes.
But it wasn’t just about the partnerships, one felt throughout the innings that maintaining momentum was key.
Conclusion
The Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings Match Scorecard – 35th Match at Delhi, 25 April 2026 will go down as one of the most entertaining matches in IPL history. It showcased the true spirit of T20 cricket — fearless batting, high scoring, and unpredictable results.
Punjab Kings proved that no target is too big if approached with confidence and intent, while Delhi Capitals will look to improve their bowling performance in upcoming matches.
FAQs About Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings
1. Who won the match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings?
Answer: Punjab Kings won the match by 6 wickets.
2. What was the total score of Delhi Capitals?
Answer: Delhi Capitals scored 264/2 in 20 overs.
3. Who was the top scorer in the match?
Answer: KL Rahul scored 152* runs, making him the top scorer.
4. How did Punjab Kings chase the target?
Answer: Punjab Kings chased the target in 18.5 overs with strong batting performances from Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Nitish Rana.
5. Who was the Player of the Match?
Answer: KL Rahul was awarded Player of the Match.
