DC’s Thrilling Chase Seals a 6-Wicket Victory against Punjab Kings
On May 24, 2025, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur hosted the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where Delhi Capitals (DC) delivered a stunning performance to defeat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare. Chasing a formidable 207, DC rode on Sameer Rizvi’s unbeaten 58 off 25 balls and Karun Nair’s 44 off 27 to end their IPL 2025 campaign on a high, despite being out of playoff contention. PBKS, already qualified for the playoffs but aiming for a top-two finish, suffered a blow to their aspirations, as their batting firepower couldn’t overcome DC’s disciplined chase and strategic brilliance. This article dissects the match’s key moments, standout performances, tactical nuances, and its implications for both teams as they navigated the final stages of the IPL 2025 season.
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium, known for its batting-friendly conditions, provided the perfect stage for a high-scoring encounter. PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, posted a competitive 206/8 after DC captain Axar Patel opted to bowl first, banking on the dew factor and the venue’s history of successful chases (DC had chased 210 against LSG in Visakhapatnam earlier in 2025). DC’s chase was powered by a blistering powerplay and a match-defining 61-run partnership between Rizvi and Nair, with Rizvi’s maiden IPL fifty sealing the victory in the 19.3rd over. The match, played under clear skies with temperatures around 30°C, saw a vibrant crowd, with posts on X noting the electric atmosphere and DC’s “roaring” finish.
Despite PBKS’s strong batting effort, led by Iyer’s 53 off 34 and Marcus Stoinis’s unbeaten 44 off 16, their bowling unit struggled to defend 207, with Harpreet Brar’s 2/41 being the only notable resistance. DC’s victory marked their sixth win in eight matches against PBKS since 2021, reinforcing their historical edge in this fixture.
PBKS’s innings was built on a solid foundation by openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who added 55 runs in 5.3 overs before Arya fell for 6 to Mustafizur Rahman. Prabhsimran (21 off 14) and Josh Inglis (22 off 12) provided early momentum, but it was Shreyas Iyer’s measured 53 off 34 balls, including a 29-ball fifty, that steadied the innings. Iyer’s knock featured elegant cover drives and a six off Kuldeep Yadav, though he fell to Vipraj Nigam in the 17th over. Shashank Singh (17 off 13) and Nehal Wadhera (18 off 11) contributed cameos, but Marcus Stoinis’s explosive 44* off 16 balls, with four sixes and three fours, propelled PBKS to 206/8. Stoinis’s late assault, particularly against Mukesh Kumar (17 runs in the 19th over), ensured PBKS crossed 200.
DC’s bowling was led by Mustafizur Rahman, who finished with 3/33, dismissing Arya, Inglis, and Azmatullah Omarzai in quick succession. Vipraj Nigam, the leg-spinner, was impressive with 2/38, removing Iyer and Wadhera, while Kuldeep Yadav (1/40) and Mohit Sharma (1/35) kept things tight in the middle overs. However, DC’s fielding lapses, including a dropped catch of Stoinis, allowed PBKS to post a daunting total. Shreyas Iyer later reflected, “207 was a fantastic score on this wicket… We weren’t disciplined enough with the ball,” pointing to their over-reliance on bouncers as a tactical misstep.
Chasing 207, DC got off to a flyer, reaching 50/0 in 4.6 overs, thanks to KL Rahul (31 off 21) and Faf du Plessis (20 off 12). Rahul’s elegant cover-point boundary off Azmatullah Omarzai and a straight six against Harpreet Brar set the tone, but his dismissal to Marco Jansen’s slow off-cutter in the 5.3rd over gave PBKS hope. Du Plessis fell soon after to Brar, leaving DC at 65/2 in 6.4 overs. Sediqullah Atal’s brisk 22 off 16 on his IPL debut steadied the innings, but his dismissal to Praveen Dubey (1/20) brought Sameer Rizvi to the crease.
Rizvi, alongside Karun Nair, turned the game in DC’s favor with a 61-run fourth-wicket partnership in 30 balls. Nair, recently named in India’s Test squad for England, played a classy 44 off 27, including a six over fine leg off Jansen and a late-cut boundary off Brar. Rizvi, however, was the hero, smashing an unbeaten 58 off 25 balls, reaching his fifty in 22 balls. His standout shots included a swept six off Stoinis to win the game and a pulled six off Jansen’s free-hit in the 14th over. Posts on X captured the excitement, with one user noting, “Rizvi smashes Omarzai for a four and six, Nair and Rizvi blast Jansen… Game on!” Tristan Stubbs (18* off 14) supported Rizvi to see DC home at 208/4 in 19.3 overs.
PBKS’s bowling struggled to contain DC’s aggressive approach. Harpreet Brar (2/41) dismissed du Plessis and Nair, but Arshdeep Singh (0/35) and Jansen (1/40) were expensive. Yuzvendra Chahal, despite his 13 wickets in the season, went wicketless, conceding 38 runs. The dew factor made gripping the ball challenging, and PBKS’s over-reliance on short-pitched deliveries, as Iyer admitted, cost them crucial momentum.
DC’s decision to bowl first was strategic, leveraging the dew and Jaipur’s chasing-friendly conditions (DC’s 207 was their third-highest successful chase in IPL history). Axar Patel’s captaincy shone through in his use of Mustafizur’s cutters and Nigam’s leg-spin to disrupt PBKS’s middle order. The choice to include both Nair and Rizvi in the XI, despite their competition for a single spot, paid dividends, with both delivering under pressure.
Key battles shaped the match. Mustafizur’s early dismissal of Arya, who struggled against his pace variations, set the tone. Rizvi’s dominance over Jansen, particularly on the free-hit six, was a turning point, while Brar’s dismissal of Nair in the 14.6th over briefly swung momentum back to PBKS. However, DC’s ability to maintain a run rate above 10, especially after the strategic timeout (61 needed off 36 balls), showcased their intent and depth.
Sameer Rizvi, named Player of the Match, expressed his newfound confidence: “The hard work I put in the last 2-3 months has paid off… After one innings, I felt I could do it at this level.” Axar Patel praised the team’s resilience, noting, “We started with four wins, but it came apart. Tonight’s win gives us plenty to cheer about.” DC’s season, with 13 points from 14 matches, was marred by inconsistency, particularly in batting, but their fifth-place finish and this victory offered hope for 2026.
For PBKS, the loss was a setback in their quest for a top-two finish, their first since 2014. Shreyas Iyer, who became the first captain to lead three IPL franchises to the playoffs, remained optimistic: “Every team is equally poised… We’ll come back with a strong set of plans.” PBKS’s strong performances from Prabhsimran Singh (458 runs), Priyansh Arya (356 runs), and Arshdeep Singh (11 wickets) highlight their potential, but their bowling needs sharper execution in crunch moments.
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium’s pitch was conducive to batting, with good bounce and a quick outfield. The straight boundaries (around 81 yards) and shorter square boundaries (74 yards) favored aggressive strokeplay, as evidenced by Stoinis’s sixes and Rizvi’s match-winning sweep. The dew factor aided DC’s chase, making it difficult for PBKS’s spinners to grip the ball. The venue’s average first-innings score in IPL 2025 was around 190, making PBKS’s 206 competitive but chaseable.
Posts on X reflected the match’s intensity, with one user stating, “Sameer Rizvi hit his maiden half-century… DC end their #IPL2025 season on a positive note.” Analysts praised Rizvi’s composure and Nair’s return to form, while noting PBKS’s tactical errors with the ball. The result kept the top-two race open, with fans commenting, “Nobody wants the added perks of a top-two finish,” as GT, RCB, and PBKS all lost in the final days.
DC’s victory highlighted the potential of young talents like Rizvi and Nigam, alongside veterans like Rahul and du Plessis. The absence of Mitchell Starc in the season’s latter stages hurt their campaign, but this win provides momentum for 2026. PBKS, with a strong core of Iyer, Stoinis, and Chahal, will aim to address their bowling inconsistencies to secure a top-two spot next season. The match underscored the IPL’s unpredictability, with lower-ranked teams upsetting playoff contenders in the final week.
