Nair & Rizvi Shine Bright as DC Dominate PBKS in Jaipur Thriller
In what turned out to be a fitting finale to their TATA IPL 2025 journey, the Delhi Capitals delivered a memorable performance, defeating Punjab Kings by six wickets in Match No. 66 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Despite being out of playoff contention, DC showed grit, professionalism, and flair, led by a breakout knock from debutant Sameer Rizvi and a cohesive team effort across all departments. For Punjab, the loss might not derail their playoff push, but it leaves them with work to do if they hope to seal a Top 2 finish in their final league game against the Mumbai Indians.
Early Strikes Put DC in Control
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, DC skipper Faf du Plessis made an aggressive decision, and it paid dividends almost immediately. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman struck in the second over, removing the dangerous Priyansh Arya. It was a sharp catch behind the stumps by Tristan Stubbs that gave DC the breakthrough, setting the tone for the innings.
Punjab Kings, known for their attacking brand of cricket this season, didn’t retreat. Prabhsimran Singh and Australian Josh Inglis launched a counter-attack, keeping the scoreboard moving briskly. Inglis took the charge in the final over of the powerplay, smashing a six and a four off Vipraj Nigam. But the young spinner had the last word – a quicker delivery outfoxed Inglis, and Stubbs completed a swift stumping to halt the momentum. Punjab closed the powerplay at a strong 60/2, laying the foundation for a big total.
Middle Overs – Mixed Fortunes for PBKS
The middle phase saw DC wrest back some control. Vipraj Nigam continued his impressive spell by bowling Prabhsimran in the eighth over. From there, wickets started falling at regular intervals, and the PBKS innings risked stalling. However, captain Shreyas Iyer held his end with a composed and crucial innings, scoring a fluent 53 off 34 deliveries. His shot selection was impeccable, and he rotated the strike well, ensuring the team didn’t collapse under pressure.
While Iyer provided the stability, it was Marcus Stoinis who gave the innings the fireworks it needed at the death. The Aussie all-rounder exploded in the final few overs, smashing 44 runs off just 16 balls, including boundaries all around the ground. His finishing assault pushed PBKS to a competitive total of 206/8 — their seventh 200+ score this season, underlining the firepower in their batting arsenal.
For DC, the bowling performance was balanced. Mustafizur Rahman ended with figures of 3/33, displaying his trademark variations and control. Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam chipped in with two wickets each, and their middle-overs pressure was instrumental in checking Punjab’s charge.
Cautious Start, Then a Counter from DC
With 208 needed for a win, Delhi Capitals were in for a stiff challenge. The opening pair of KL Rahul (as Impact Player) and Faf du Plessis started cautiously, adding just 22 runs in the first three overs. But they soon shifted gears. Omarzai was taken for 15 runs in the fourth over, followed by another 13-run over from Harpreet Brar, as DC made their intentions clear.
However, Punjab struck back. Marco Jansen dismissed Rahul in the sixth over, and Brar removed du Plessis immediately after the powerplay. At 66/2 in seven overs, the match was finely poised.
Debutant Atal Impresses, Nair-Rizvi Turn the Tide
Sediqullah Atal, the promising Afghanistan youngster, was making his IPL debut and played a valuable hand. He scored 22 off 15 balls, showing no signs of nerves and ensuring the run rate didn’t drop. His cameo came to an end in the 11th over, dismissed by Pravin Dubey.
The pivotal phase of the game came next – Karun Nair, the experienced Indian batter, walked in and immediately looked in control. In one over, he unleashed a flurry of boundaries, turning the pressure back on PBKS. At the other end, Sameer Rizvi was quietly building his innings.
Together, Nair and Rizvi stitched a brisk 50-run partnership off just 24 balls, pushing DC to 146/3 at the end of 14 overs and putting the target well within reach.
Just when Nair looked set for a big finish, Brar returned to strike again, removing him for a well-played 44 off 27 deliveries. But with 34 needed off the last three overs, the match was still in the balance.
Rizvi Takes Center Stage
Sameer Rizvi, playing with composure and maturity beyond his years, took control in the death overs. With Tristan Stubbs at the other end, Rizvi launched a calculated assault. In the 18th over, he smacked Arshdeep Singh for a six to bring up his maiden IPL half-century in just 22 balls — a stunning debut statement.
That over yielded 14 runs, and suddenly DC needed just 8 off the last over.
Rizvi finished what he started. On the third ball of the 20th over, he sent the ball soaring into the stands, sealing a memorable win for Delhi Capitals with three balls to spare. He remained unbeaten on 58 off 25 balls – a knock filled with fearless strokeplay, confidence, and elegance.
A Campaign Ends with Hope for DC, Focus Shifts for PBKS
While Delhi Capitals miss out on a playoff spot, finishing with 7 wins from 14 games, this win serves as a morale booster. After a blistering start to their season (five wins in six), DC’s campaign derailed mid-way. But this final performance — highlighting young talent like Rizvi and Atal, and consistent performers like Mustafizur and Nair — offers hope and building blocks for the next season.
Punjab Kings, despite the loss, remain second on the points table with 17 points from 13 matches. Their fate, however, is not sealed. A victory in their final group-stage match against Mumbai Indians will be critical to securing a Top 2 finish, which would give them two opportunities to reach the final.
Final Scorecard Summary:
PBKS: 206/8 (20 overs)
Shreyas Iyer 53 (34), Marcus Stoinis 44* (16)
Mustafizur Rahman 3/33, Vipraj Nigam 2/31
DC: 210/4 (19.3 overs)
Sameer Rizvi 58* (25), Karun Nair 44 (27)
Harpreet Brar 3/34, Marco Jansen 1/30
Player of the Match: Sameer Rizvi (58* off 25 balls)
