DC edge PBKS as top 2 spots still up for grabs
Jaipur, May 24 (UNI) Delhi Capitals produced a commanding batting performance to chase down a daunting 207-run target and seal a six-wicket win over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring IPL 2025 contest at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Saturday.
Even after 66 matches, the race for the top two spots in the league table remains wide open, with qualified teams still jostling for playoff positioning, an unusual scenario that reflects the tightly contested nature of this year's tournament.
On the night, it was Delhi's young batting sensation Sameer Rizvi who stole the limelight with a blistering unbeaten 58 off just 25 balls, steering his side to 208 for four in 19.3 overs. Rizvi's late onslaught, studded with five towering sixes and three boundaries at a strike rate of 232, turned the match on its head and delivered a much-needed morale boost for his side.
Karun Nair chipped in with a fluent 44, while debutant Sediqullah Atal added a handy 22 off 16 deliveries.
Openers KL Rahul (35 off 21) and Faf du Plessis (23 off 15) had set a solid platform with a 55-run stand before falling in quick succession.
Rizvi, however, ensured the momentum never dipped, combining with wicketkeeper-batsman Tristan Stubbs (18* off 12) in a composed finish that took Delhi over the line with three balls to spare.
Punjab's bowlers found the going tough in the latter stages. Harpreet Brar was the pick of the lot with figures of 2 for 41, while Marco Jansen and Praveen Dubey managed one wicket each. But the attack lacked the bite to halt Rizvi's charge when it mattered most.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, Punjab posted a formidable 206 for eight. Skipper Shreyas Iyer held the innings together with a composed 53 off 34 balls, while Marcus Stoinis provided the fireworks at the death, smashing an unbeaten 44 from just 16 deliveries, laced with three boundaries and four sixes.
Punjab had a bumpy start with Priyansh Arya (6) falling early to Mustafizur Rahman (3/33). A rapid 32 off 12 from Josh Inglis and a lively 28 from Prabhsimran Singh helped Punjab recover to 60 for one at the end of the Powerplay.
Debutant Vipraj Nigam swung the momentum back Delhi's way with a double strike, dismissing both Inglis and Prabhsimran in quick succession. Kuldeep Yadav (2/39) then struck twice, removing Iyer and Azmatullah Omarzai, to further slow Punjab's advance.
Despite the fall of wickets, Stoinis ensured a strong finish, aided by a brief cameo from Harpreet Brar (7 not out off 2 balls).
Delhi's bowlers had mixed returns—while Mustafizur and Vipraj impressed with their control and breakthroughs, Mukesh Kumar (1/49) and Mohit Sharma (0/47) leaked runs at the death, allowing Punjab to breach the 200-run mark.
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