DC's Rizvi Shines in Six-Wicket Win Over PBKS.
PBKS vs DC Highlights: Delhi Capitals Triumph in Jaipur Thriller
On a balmy evening at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Delhi Capitals (DC) delivered a stunning six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on May 24, 2025.
On a balmy evening at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Delhi Capitals (DC) delivered a stunning six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on May 24, 2025.
Chasing a daunting target of 207, DC, led by a sensational unbeaten 58 off 25 balls from Sameer Rizvi and a vital 44 off 27 from Karun Nair, completed the chase with three balls to spare. The result not only marked a high note for DC to end their IPL 2025 campaign but also dealt a significant blow to PBKS’s aspirations of securing a top-two finish.
Despite a formidable 206/8 posted by PBKS, driven by Shreyas Iyer’s 53 and Marcus Stoinis’s explosive 44 not out, DC’s fearless batting and strategic execution stole the show. Below is a detailed recount of the match, complete with score updates, key moments, and commentary highlights, capturing the essence of this thrilling encounter.
Match Context: A High-Stakes Clash
The stage was set for a pivotal encounter in the IPL 2025 season. PBKS, under the astute leadership of Shreyas Iyer, had already secured a playoff berth with 17 points from 12 matches, sitting third in the points table. A victory against DC would have propelled them to 19 points, placing them in pole position for a top-two finish and a direct entry into Qualifier 1, offering an extra opportunity to reach the final.
DC, on the other hand, had endured a torrid run, failing to qualify for the playoffs despite a strong start to the season. With nothing to lose, DC, led by stand-in captain Faf du Plessis in the absence of Axar Patel, aimed to end their campaign on a high and play spoiler to PBKS’s ambitions.
The match was a rescheduled fixture, originally set to take place in Dharamsala on May 8, 2025, but abandoned after 10.1 overs due to a security-related blackout caused by geopolitical tensions in nearby Jammu. In that curtailed game, PBKS openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh had blazed to 122/1, setting the tone for their aggressive batting approach. The relocation to Jaipur, a neutral venue, added intrigue, as PBKS had played their previous match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, while DC were stepping into the venue for the first time this season. With an average first-innings score of 200 at Jaipur in IPL 2025, a high-scoring game was anticipated, and both teams delivered a spectacle that lived up to expectations.
The match was a rescheduled fixture, originally set to take place in Dharamsala on May 8, 2025, but abandoned after 10.1 overs due to a security-related blackout caused by geopolitical tensions in nearby Jammu. In that curtailed game, PBKS openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh had blazed to 122/1, setting the tone for their aggressive batting approach. The relocation to Jaipur, a neutral venue, added intrigue, as PBKS had played their previous match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, while DC were stepping into the venue for the first time this season. With an average first-innings score of 200 at Jaipur in IPL 2025, a high-scoring game was anticipated, and both teams delivered a spectacle that lived up to expectations.
Toss and Team News
DC won the toss and elected to field first, a decision influenced by the batting-friendly conditions at Jaipur and the potential for dew to aid the chasing side. Faf du Plessis, stepping in as captain, noted, “The wicket looks good, and batting second could be advantageous if dew comes into play.
DC won the toss and elected to field first, a decision influenced by the batting-friendly conditions at Jaipur and the potential for dew to aid the chasing side. Faf du Plessis, stepping in as captain, noted, “The wicket looks good, and batting second could be advantageous if dew comes into play.
We’ve made one change, with Madhav Tiwari coming in for Vipraj Nigam.” PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer was unfazed by batting first, stating, “The outfield is quick, and we back our batting unit to set a big total. Our openers have been in great form, and we’re sticking with the same lineup.”
Punjab Kings Playing XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul (wk), Abishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Madhav Tiwari, Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact Substitutes: PBKS – Harpreet Brar; DC – Vipraj Nigam.
Punjab Kings Playing XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul (wk), Abishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Madhav Tiwari, Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact Substitutes: PBKS – Harpreet Brar; DC – Vipraj Nigam.
Punjab Kings Innings: A Power-Packed 206/8
PBKS got off to a solid start, but DC’s bowlers struck early to keep them in check. Mustafizur Rahman set the tone by dismissing Priyansh Arya in the second over, breaking the dangerous opening pair that had dominated in Dharamsala. Arya, who had scored 70 off 34 in the abandoned match, managed only a single-digit score this time, caught off a mistimed lofted cover drive.
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Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis then took charge, with Inglis playing a fiery cameo of 32 off 12 balls, including three fours and two sixes. His aggressive intent was evident as he dispatched a full delivery from Dushmantha Chameera over midwicket for a massive six. However, Vipraj Nigam, introduced as an Impact Substitute, struck a crucial blow by stumping Inglis, ending his blitz.
Prabhsimran continued the assault, reaching 28 off 18 before Nigam trapped him lbw, leaving PBKS at 70/3 after 7 overs. Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Iyer, in fine form with 435 runs in the season at a strike rate of 174.69, played with authority, whipping deliveries through midwicket and driving elegantly through cover. Wadhera, however, struggled to accelerate, scoring 16 off 16 before Mukesh Kumar dismissed him, caught at deep midwicket.
The middle overs saw PBKS lose momentum as Kuldeep Yadav’s guile came to the fore. The wrist-spinner struck twice in the 18th over, removing Shashank Singh (11 off 10) and Iyer, who fell for a well-made 53 off 34 balls, caught at long-off attempting a lofted cover drive.
Prabhsimran continued the assault, reaching 28 off 18 before Nigam trapped him lbw, leaving PBKS at 70/3 after 7 overs. Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Iyer, in fine form with 435 runs in the season at a strike rate of 174.69, played with authority, whipping deliveries through midwicket and driving elegantly through cover. Wadhera, however, struggled to accelerate, scoring 16 off 16 before Mukesh Kumar dismissed him, caught at deep midwicket.
The middle overs saw PBKS lose momentum as Kuldeep Yadav’s guile came to the fore. The wrist-spinner struck twice in the 18th over, removing Shashank Singh (11 off 10) and Iyer, who fell for a well-made 53 off 34 balls, caught at long-off attempting a lofted cover drive.
At 172/6 with two overs remaining, PBKS needed a late flourish, and Marcus Stoinis delivered in spectacular fashion. The Australian all-rounder unleashed a barrage of boundaries, finishing unbeaten on 44 off 16 balls, including three fours and four sixes. His late assault, particularly against Mustafizur Rahman and Mukesh Kumar, propelled PBKS to 206/8. Mustafizur was the pick of the DC bowlers with 3/33, while Kuldeep (2/39) and Nigam (2/38) also chipped in.
Commentary Highlights (PBKS Innings):
Over 1.3: “OUT! Mustafizur strikes early! Arya tries to loft this over cover, but it’s straight to the fielder. Big blow for PBKS!”
Over 4.2: “SIX! Inglis is on fire! Gets under this full delivery from Chameera and sends it soaring over midwicket. What a shot!”
Over 7.1: “WICKET! Nigam has Prabhsimran trapped in front. That’s a big scalp, and PBKS are three down now.”
Over 13.5: “FOUR! Iyer whips this through midwicket with impeccable timing. He’s anchoring this innings beautifully.”
Over 17.2: “OUT! Kuldeep gets Iyer! The PBKS captain goes for 53, caught at long-off. DC are pulling things back.”
Over 19.3: “SIX! Stoinis is turning it on! Smashes Mustafizur over deep square leg. PBKS are heading towards 200!”
PBKS Innings Summary: 206/8 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 53, Marcus Stoinis 44*, Josh Inglis 32; Mustafizur Rahman 3/33, Kuldeep Yadav 2/39, Vipraj Nigam 2/38).
Commentary Highlights (PBKS Innings):
Over 1.3: “OUT! Mustafizur strikes early! Arya tries to loft this over cover, but it’s straight to the fielder. Big blow for PBKS!”
Over 4.2: “SIX! Inglis is on fire! Gets under this full delivery from Chameera and sends it soaring over midwicket. What a shot!”
Over 7.1: “WICKET! Nigam has Prabhsimran trapped in front. That’s a big scalp, and PBKS are three down now.”
Over 13.5: “FOUR! Iyer whips this through midwicket with impeccable timing. He’s anchoring this innings beautifully.”
Over 17.2: “OUT! Kuldeep gets Iyer! The PBKS captain goes for 53, caught at long-off. DC are pulling things back.”
Over 19.3: “SIX! Stoinis is turning it on! Smashes Mustafizur over deep square leg. PBKS are heading towards 200!”
PBKS Innings Summary: 206/8 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 53, Marcus Stoinis 44*, Josh Inglis 32; Mustafizur Rahman 3/33, Kuldeep Yadav 2/39, Vipraj Nigam 2/38).
Delhi Capitals Innings: A Sensational Chase
Chasing 207, DC needed a strong start, and their openers delivered. KL Rahul, playing as an Impact Substitute, and Faf du Plessis set a blistering pace, racing to 55/0 in 5.5 overs. Rahul, with 539 runs in the season at a strike rate of 149.72, looked in sublime touch, smashing a cover-point boundary off Azmatullah Omarzai and a straight six against Harpreet Brar.
Du Plessis complemented him with crisp drives, but Marco Jansen broke the partnership in the final over of the powerplay, dismissing Rahul for 35 off 21, caught at mid-off. Harpreet Brar then removed du Plessis for 23 off 15, leaving DC at 65/2 after 7 overs.
The introduction of Sediqullah Atal on his IPL debut added momentum, as he blasted 22 off 16, including two boundaries. However, Praveen Dubey, making his first appearance of the season, dismissed Atal, caught at point, leaving DC at 93/3 in 10.1 overs. The chase was delicately poised, but Karun Nair and Sameer Rizvi turned the game decisively in DC’s favor. Nair, recently recalled to the Indian Test team, played with confidence, striking five fours and two sixes in his 44 off 27. His partnership with Rizvi added 62 runs in just under five overs, bringing DC within striking distance.
Rizvi, however, stole the spotlight. The young batter, who admitted post-match to lacking confidence earlier in the season, played a match-defining knock. His unbeaten 58 off 25 balls included three fours and five sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate under pressure. With 52 runs needed off the last five overs, Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs (17* off 12) kept their cool.
The introduction of Sediqullah Atal on his IPL debut added momentum, as he blasted 22 off 16, including two boundaries. However, Praveen Dubey, making his first appearance of the season, dismissed Atal, caught at point, leaving DC at 93/3 in 10.1 overs. The chase was delicately poised, but Karun Nair and Sameer Rizvi turned the game decisively in DC’s favor. Nair, recently recalled to the Indian Test team, played with confidence, striking five fours and two sixes in his 44 off 27. His partnership with Rizvi added 62 runs in just under five overs, bringing DC within striking distance.
Rizvi, however, stole the spotlight. The young batter, who admitted post-match to lacking confidence earlier in the season, played a match-defining knock. His unbeaten 58 off 25 balls included three fours and five sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate under pressure. With 52 runs needed off the last five overs, Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs (17* off 12) kept their cool.
The 19th over, bowled by Arshdeep Singh, yielded 14 runs, including a six from Rizvi over midwicket. In the final over, with 8 runs needed, Marcus Stoinis started with a wide, followed by singles to Rizvi and Stubbs. With 5 runs required off 4 balls, Rizvi sealed the victory with a magnificent sweep over backward square leg for a six, sparking wild celebrations in the DC camp.
Commentary Highlights (DC Innings):
Over 3.4: “FOUR! Rahul drives this through cover-point with elegance. DC are off to a flyer!”
Over 5.5: “OUT! Jansen strikes! Rahul miscues this to mid-off, and PBKS have their first breakthrough.”
Over 7.2: “WICKET! Brar gets du Plessis, bowled! DC are 65/2, and PBKS are fighting back.”
Over 12.4: “SIX! Rizvi clears his front leg and smashes this over midwicket. What a shot under pressure!”
Over 19.3: “SIX! Rizvi wins it in style! Sweeps Stoinis over backward square leg, and DC have done it!”
DC Innings Summary: 208/4 in 19.3 overs (Sameer Rizvi 58*, Karun Nair 44, KL Rahul 35; Harpreet Brar 2/41, Marco Jansen 1/45, Praveen Dubey 1/30).
Commentary Highlights (DC Innings):
Over 3.4: “FOUR! Rahul drives this through cover-point with elegance. DC are off to a flyer!”
Over 5.5: “OUT! Jansen strikes! Rahul miscues this to mid-off, and PBKS have their first breakthrough.”
Over 7.2: “WICKET! Brar gets du Plessis, bowled! DC are 65/2, and PBKS are fighting back.”
Over 12.4: “SIX! Rizvi clears his front leg and smashes this over midwicket. What a shot under pressure!”
Over 19.3: “SIX! Rizvi wins it in style! Sweeps Stoinis over backward square leg, and DC have done it!”
DC Innings Summary: 208/4 in 19.3 overs (Sameer Rizvi 58*, Karun Nair 44, KL Rahul 35; Harpreet Brar 2/41, Marco Jansen 1/45, Praveen Dubey 1/30).
Key Performances and Turning Points
Sameer Rizvi (DC): Named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 58 off 25, Rizvi’s maiden IPL fifty was a game-changer. His aggressive strokeplay, particularly in the death overs, turned the tide. Post-match, he said, “I didn’t have the confidence before, but after one innings, I felt I could do it at this level.”
Karun Nair (DC): Nair’s 44 off 27 provided stability and momentum, complementing Rizvi’s fireworks. His return to form was a positive sign for both DC and the Indian Test team.
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): The PBKS captain led from the front with 53 off 34, anchoring the innings before Stoinis’s late blitz. His season strike rate of 182.19 outside the powerplay highlighted his consistency.
Marcus Stoinis (PBKS): Stoinis’s 44* off 16 was a reminder of his finishing prowess, pushing PBKS to a competitive total.
Mustafizur Rahman (DC): The left-arm pacer’s 3/33, including the early wicket of Arya, kept PBKS in check during the powerplay.
Turning Point: The 62-run partnership between Nair and Rizvi in under five overs shifted the momentum decisively. PBKS’s inability to contain Rizvi in the death overs, particularly against Arshdeep and Stoinis, proved costly.
Impact on the Points Table
The loss was a significant setback for PBKS, who remained on 17 points with one league game left. With Gujarat Titans (18 points) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (17 points) also dropping points in recent matches, the race for the top two remained wide open.
A top-two finish offers the advantage of two shots at reaching the final, but PBKS now need a win against Rajasthan Royals on May 27, 2025, and favorable results elsewhere to secure it. DC, finishing with 7 wins from 14 matches, ended the season in fifth place, a bittersweet conclusion to a campaign that promised much early on.
Post-Match Reactions
Faf du Plessis, reflecting on DC’s campaign, said, “We wanted to finish in the top four, but fifth is a fair reflection. The IPL is about young talents, and Sameer Rizvi and Vipraj Nigam have been phenomenal discoveries.” Shreyas Iyer, despite the loss, remained optimistic: “206 was a fantastic score, but credit to DC for chasing it down. We’ll regroup and focus on our final game.” The presentation ceremony took place amidst a sandstorm in Jaipur, adding a dramatic backdrop to DC’s celebrations.
Jaipur’s Role and Historical Context
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium, hosting this match as a neutral venue, lived up to its reputation as a batting paradise. With a catching efficiency of just 60% in IPL 2025, the venue saw eight dropped catches in this game, the joint-most in a single match this season. The 207-run chase was the third 200-plus target successfully chased in Jaipur, following SRH vs RR (215 in 2023) and RR vs GT (210 in 2025). PBKS and DC’s rivalry remained tight, with PBKS leading 17-16 in head-to-head encounters before this match, but DC’s victory leveled the score at 17-17.
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium, hosting this match as a neutral venue, lived up to its reputation as a batting paradise. With a catching efficiency of just 60% in IPL 2025, the venue saw eight dropped catches in this game, the joint-most in a single match this season. The 207-run chase was the third 200-plus target successfully chased in Jaipur, following SRH vs RR (215 in 2023) and RR vs GT (210 in 2025). PBKS and DC’s rivalry remained tight, with PBKS leading 17-16 in head-to-head encounters before this match, but DC’s victory leveled the score at 17-17.
Looking Ahead
For PBKS, the focus shifts to their final league game against Rajasthan Royals, where a win is crucial to keep their top-two hopes alive. DC, with their season concluded, can take pride in nurturing talents like Rizvi and Nigam, who could be key for future campaigns. The IPL 2025 playoffs are shaping up to be a thrilling affair, with Gujarat Titans, RCB, PBKS, and Mumbai Indians vying for the top spots.
This match was a microcosm of the IPL’s unpredictability—high scores, emerging stars, and dramatic finishes. Sameer Rizvi’s heroics ensured DC signed off with a flourish, while PBKS were left to rue missed opportunities. As the tournament heads into its final league matches, the battle for supremacy intensifies, promising more unforgettable moments.
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