IPL 2026, DC vs PBKS 35th Match Match Preview – DC have lots of catching up to do to give PBKS a fight
Big picture: PBKS look to extend winning streak
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are riding on a five-match unbeaten streak, just two shy of their best run across 2013-14, and have looked in control across phases. Their powerplay batting, driven by Priyansh Arya, has been particularly destructive, and they carry an air of invincibility in chases, thanks in large part to Shreyas Iyer.Delhi Capitals (DC), in contrast, have struggled to keep pace with big targets. They are yet to chase down 200 this season in three attempts, and since 2024 have fallen short in eight of their 10 pursuits of 200 or more. Compounding that is a lack of clarity in how they have used their resources, especially the Impact Player.They have shuffled between Ashutosh Sharma (vs CSK), Karun Nair (vs RCB), and back to Ashutosh (vs SRH). Pathum Nissanka has gone quiet after a bright start, while Nitish Rana, after being left out earlier, suddenly finds himself back under pressure.
That hint of uncertainty extends to their bowling as well. Against SRH, who piled up 242, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bowled just two overs each, while Rana completed his full quota for 55 runs. Two games on, Auqib Nabi was back on the bench. It all points to a side still searching for its most effective combination.
That’s not an ideal position to be in at the halfway mark. With a clash against the table-toppers looming, DC will need to iron out these issues quickly.
Delhi Capitals LWLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Punjab Kings WWWW
Team news: Rehan Ahmed joins DC camp, Connolly available for PBKS
Rehan Ahmed has been signed as Ben Duckett’s replacement, and has joined the squad in Delhi. Mitchell Starc too is readying for his return next week.
Delhi Capitals: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Sameer Rizvi, 4 Nitish Rana/Karun Nair, 5 David Miller, 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Lungi Ngidi, 10 Auqib Nabi, 11 T Natarajan, 12 Ashutosh Sharma
Cooper Connolly is back from Perth following a quick assessment by Cricket Australia’s medical team. He is available for selection too.
Punjab Kings: 1 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2 Priyansh Arya, 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Nehal Wadhera, 7 Shashank Singh, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal 10 Xavier Bartlett, 11 Arshdeep Singh, 12 Vijaykumar Vyshak
In the spotlight: Pathum Nissanka and Vijaykumar Vyshak
Pathum Nissanka made a promising start to his IPL career, scoring 44, 41 and 41 in three of his first four innings, but fell cheaply against RCB and SRH in his last two outings. The next few games assume added significance for him, especially with Mitchell Starc’s impending arrival. A strong run now could hand the team management a welcome selection dilemma. If Starc slots in, one of the overseas batters is likely to make way, and Nissanka appears the most vulnerable given they have other pedigreed Indian batters who can step in, like Prithvi Shaw or Karun Nair. It would be a harsh call, given it’s only been two low scores, but that’s often the unforgiving nature of team selection in the IPL.Halfway into IPL 2026, Vijaykumar Vyshak has already featured in more matches than he did all of last season, when his appearances were largely match-up-driven. This year, though, there’s been a noticeable shift in his overall game. He looks fitter, quicker, and not as one-dimensional. No longer reliant solely on the knuckleball, Vyshak has broadened his repertoire by mixing hard lengths with cutters and yorkers, especially at the death. An economy rate of 10.05 might seem on the higher side, but it says as much about the batting-friendly surfaces as it does about his role. Within the PBKS set-up, there is clear trust in his methods. Interestingly, every wicket he has taken so far has come off his stock delivery. He has been particularly effective at the death, striking once every eight balls while conceding at just nine runs an over.The last game at the Kotla was a thriller, with GT defending one run off the last ball. David Miller turning down a single was the talking point from a game where 419 runs were scored. This match will be played on a similar deck, with the curators having had a fortnight since that game, ensuring there’s enough sheen on the deck to produce another high-scorer.
