Punjab Kings (PBKS) are strong favourites against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 35 of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Saturday, April 25. PBKS are priced around 1.60-1.70 odds (implied win probability of ~59-63%).
Vs
Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
25 April 2026 03:30 PM
The reason is simple. PBKS are the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, sitting at the top with 5 wins and 1 no result from 6 matches (11 points). In contrast, DC are 5th with 3 wins and 3 losses, and have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
This is also an afternoon match (3:30 PM IST), so the heat (41°C+) and absence of dew will significantly impact strategy. This article covers the odds, predicted XIs, Kotla pitch report, weather, and DC vs PBKS Match 35 prediction.
How DC and PBKS Enter This Clash
Here is Brief Breakdown of Clash:
PBKS: The Unstoppable Force at the Top
Punjab Kings are making history. They became the first team ever to start an IPL season 6-0 unbeaten after hammering LSG by 54 runs.
In particular, Priyansh Arya (93 off 37 balls, nine sixes) and Cooper Connolly (87 off 46, seven sixes) put on a breathtaking 182-run partnership for the second wicket. Consequently, PBKS posted 254/7, the highest total of IPL 2026.
However, their batting dominance goes beyond one match. Prabhsimran Singh has been explosive at the top, while Shreyas Iyer‘s captaincy under coach Ricky Ponting has brought a winning culture. Ponting called the LSG win their “biggest victory”.
Moreover, the bowling has been equally impressive. Arshdeep Singh‘s death bowling, Yuzvendra Chahal‘s leg-spin, and Marco Jansen‘s (2/37 vs LSG) left-arm pace give PBKS options in all phases. Additionally, Vijaykumar Vyshak has been a reliable middle-overs enforcer.
What makes PBKS truly dangerous is their depth. Marcus Stoinis (29 off 16 vs LSG) barely gets to bat because the top order keeps delivering. That is the hallmark of a team that is genuinely difficult to beat.
DC: Inconsistency and a Devastating SRH Loss
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals are in a slump. Three losses from their last four matches have dropped them to 5th with a negative NRR of -0.130.
Their most recent defeat was particularly brutal. Abhishek Sharma smashed 135* off 55 balls as SRH posted 242/2 at Hyderabad. Despite Nitish Rana‘s fighting 57 and Sameer Rizvi‘s 41, DC fell 47 runs short.
What was especially concerning was captain Axar Patel‘s bowling decision. He bowled just 2 overs each of Kuldeep Yadav and himself, while giving Nitish Rana‘s part-time off-spin a full 4-over quota. Naturally, Rana conceded 53 runs.
Nevertheless, KL Rahul remains DC’s most consistent batter with 92 runs in a recent knock.Furthermore, Tristan Stubbs (27 off 16 vs SRH) has shown power-hitting ability. But overall, DC’s bowling has been leaking runs at the worst possible times.
Importantly, DC have also won every toss this season and chosen to bowl first each time. Since this is an afternoon match without significant dew, that strategy might finally need rethinking.
DC vs PBKS Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 35 of IPL 2026, which is notably an afternoon fixture.
| Details | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | DC vs PBKS, 35th Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, April 25, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (afternoon match) |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
| Weather Alert | Scorching heat (~41°C). No rain expected. Afternoon game means minimal dew. |
DC vs PBKS Betting Odds Comparison
PBKS are clear favourites, and rightly so. Their unbeaten record, explosive batting depth, and superior bowling unit make them the stronger side on paper. However, the afternoon conditions and Delhi’s home advantage keep DC in the picture.
| Platform | DC Win Odds | PBKS Win Odds | Implied PBKS Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 2.35 | 1.62 | ~62% |
| Bet365 | 2.25 | 1.65 | ~61% |
| 1xBet | 2.40 | 1.58 | ~63% |
| Betfair | 2.20 | 1.70 | ~59% |
PBKS at 59-63% implied win probability reflects their dominant form. Although DC have home advantage, they have lost 3 of their last 4 matches. Moreover, the perfectly balanced H2H record (17-17) suggests this rivalry can go either way, despite current form.
Disclaimer: Odds are indicative and sourced from publicly available platforms at the time of writing. Consequently, they may change closer to match time.
DC vs PBKS Predicted Playing XIs
Here are the Predicted XI Teams:
Delhi Capitals (DC) Predicted XI
Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav, Vipraj Nigam.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted XI
Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
The Kotla pitch generally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. However, the afternoon timing of this match changes the equation significantly compared to evening games.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly surface with slight spin assistance in the middle overs. Ball comes on nicely in the powerplay. |
| Batting Conditions | Good. Short boundaries reward aggressive batting. Anything above 180 is competitive in an afternoon match. |
| Bowling Conditions | Spinners get turn and bounce in the middle overs. Pacers get early swing but conditions flatten out quickly. |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | ~175-185. High-scoring ground with quick outfield. |
| Bat First vs Chase | 58% of matches won by the team bowling first (due to dew). But this is an afternoon game, so dew is minimal. |
| Key Stat | Both matches at Kotla in IPL 2026 saw toss winners bowl first. Afternoon games reduce the dew advantage significantly. |
How the Afternoon Timing Changes Everything
This is arguably the most important tactical consideration. Because this is a 3:30 PM start, the match will largely be played in daylight. Consequently, dew will be minimal, which is a significant departure from evening games at Kotla.
Without dew, spinners become far more effective in the second innings. Specifically, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel can grip the ball better, and the pitch slows down as the game progresses. This therefore favours the team batting first, unlike evening matches where chasers have the advantage.
Furthermore, the 41°C+ heat will test the fitness of fast bowlers. Pace bowlers running in during the afternoon session will tire quickly. As a result, teams with quality spinners hold an advantage in these conditions.
Weather Forecast for DC vs PBKS
According to live weather data for New Delhi on April 25, the forecast shows scorching heat with only 10% rain probability. Therefore, a full match is virtually guaranteed.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 38-42°C. Peak Delhi summer heat. |
| Weather | Clear and sunny. No rain threat. |
| Rain Probability | 10% (negligible, full match expected) |
| Humidity | Low to Moderate (dry heat) |
| Wind | Hot, dry winds |
| Dew Factor | MINIMAL. Afternoon match means very little dew compared to evening games. |
| Impact | Extreme heat will consequently tire fast bowlers. Spinners will be crucial. Batting first may be preferred. |
The absence of dew is a game-changer. In evening matches at Kotla, the chasing team has a 58% win rate because of dew. However, in this afternoon fixture, those numbers are essentially irrelevant. Both captains will need to rethink their toss strategies accordingly.
DC vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record in IPL
This is one of the most evenly matched rivalries in IPL history. In 35 meetings, DC and PBKS are tied at 17 wins each with 1 no result. It genuinely does not get closer than this.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 35 |
| DC Wins | 17 |
| PBKS Wins | 17 |
| No Result | 1 |
| DC Highest Score vs PBKS | 231 |
| PBKS Highest Score vs DC | 206 |
| DC 2026 Form | 3W 3L (5th, lost 3 of last 4) |
| PBKS 2026 Form | 5W 0L 1NR (1st, UNBEATEN, 11 pts) |
The Perfectly Balanced Rivalry
Remarkably, 17-17 is as level as any IPL rivalry gets. Neither franchise has won an IPL trophy, which adds a layer of mutual hunger. Both teams know what it feels like to fall short, and that shared frustration fuels every encounter.
In recent years, however, DC have had a slight edge. They won 5 out of the last 6 meetings before PBKS’ resurgence in 2025. That included a memorable 231-run defence at Dharamsala. But PBKS’ 2025 campaign (runners-up) and their unbeaten 2026 start have completely shifted the dynamic.
What makes this particular clash fascinating is the contrast in form. PBKS are the best team in the tournament right now. DC are struggling for consistency. Yet in this rivalry, the underdog has historically punched above their weight. Consequently, the H2H record suggests DC should not be written off.
Toss Prediction
This is where the afternoon timing becomes particularly crucial. In evening matches at Kotla, 58% of matches have been won by the team bowling first because of dew. However, in an afternoon fixture, that advantage essentially disappears.
Interestingly, DC have won every toss this season and opted to bowl first each time. But since this is a 3:30 PM start with minimal dew, Axar Patel might consider batting first for the first time. Putting runs on the board when spinners can grip the ball in the second innings is a sound strategy.
On the other hand, PBKS will likely remain flexible. Shreyas Iyer’s team has shown the ability to both set and chase targets. Regardless of the toss outcome, PBKS have the depth to adapt to either scenario.
Match Prediction
The top of the table meets a struggling mid-table team at the Kotla. Although the H2H is perfectly level, the form gap between these sides is genuinely massive right now.
Where PBKS Holds the Edge
First of all, batting depth is PBKS’s biggest advantage. Prabhsimran, Priyansh, Connolly, Iyer, Stoinis form an absurdly powerful top five. They posted 254/7 against LSG without even needing their lower order to contribute. That kind of firepower can overwhelm any bowling attack.
Moreover, bowling variety covers all phases. Jansen (left-arm pace), Arshdeep (death bowling), Chahal (leg-spin), Vyshak (middle overs), and Brar (left-arm spin) give Iyer options for every situation. Against a DC lineup that collapsed for 195 against SRH, this attack looks formidable.
Additionally, momentum is a real factor. PBKS are the first team in IPL history to go 6 matches unbeaten from the start. That kind of winning habit creates confidence that feeds on itself. Players believe they will win because they keep winning.
Where DC Holds the Edge
Nevertheless, home advantage at Kotla should not be underestimated. DC know this surface better than anyone, and spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel can exploit the conditions. In an afternoon match, the pitch will turn more, which consequently suits DC’s spin-heavy attack.
Furthermore, the afternoon conditions neutralise PBKS’s chasing advantage. Without dew, the ball grips in the second innings. If DC bat first and post 185+, PBKS will face a genuine challenge on a deteriorating surface against quality spin.
Besides, the H2H record (17-17) proves this rivalry doesn’t follow form. DC have won 5 of the last 6 meetings between these teams before PBKS’s 2025 resurgence. Importantly, KL Rahul‘s form (92 in his recent big knock) gives DC a batting anchor who can handle PBKS’s bowling.
Key Concerns for Both Teams
DC’s concern is primarily their bowling. The SRH match exposed serious weaknesses, as they conceded 242/2. Bowling Nitish Rana for 4 overs (0/53) instead of giving Kuldeep his full quota was a baffling tactical decision. If similar errors occur against PBKS’s explosive batting, the result will be equally devastating.
Moreover, David Miller‘s form is concerning. A golden duck against SRH is not what DC need from their South African finisher. Without Miller firing, DC’s death-overs batting lacks sufficient power to compete with PBKS’s totals.
Conversely, PBKS’s concern is the heat. An afternoon match in 41°C Delhi is a completely different challenge compared to evening games with cooler conditions. Fitness and hydration become genuine factors. Fast bowlers like Jansen and Arshdeep may struggle to maintain intensity throughout 4-over spells.
Additionally, PBKS’s middle order remains largely untested. Because Priyansh and Connolly keep delivering, Iyer, Stoinis, and Shashank Singh haven’t been tested under pressure. If DC’s spinners dismiss the top 3 cheaply, PBKS face uncharted territory.
Suggested Reads:
Final Verdict
All in all, PBKS hold a clear edge at around 59-63%. Their unbeaten record, explosive batting (254/7 against LSG), bowling variety (Chahal, Arshdeep, Jansen), and winning momentum all favour them.
However, the afternoon conditions are DC’s great equaliser. Without dew, Kotla becomes a spin-friendly surface where Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel can control the middle overs. If DC bat first and post 185+, PBKS will face a genuine test on a deteriorating pitch.
Therefore, expect a par score of 175-185 in this afternoon fixture. The Chahal vs KL Rahul middle-overs duel and the Kuldeep vs Priyansh Arya battle could decide this match. Specifically, the team that wins the spin battle will most likely win the game.
PBKS will look to extend their record-breaking unbeaten run. DC, meanwhile, desperately need a win to stay in the top 5. Although the odds favour Punjab, Kotla on an afternoon has historically produced surprises. Consequently, this could be PBKS’s toughest test yet.
