IPL 2025: PBKS vs DC – Ultimate Fantasy Preview, Prediction & Dream Team Tips

Date: May 24, 2025  |  Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

PBKS are riding high, already qualified for the playoffs and eyeing a top-two finish, while DC, knocked out after a turbulent season, will be desperate to end on a high. Fantasy cricket players, this is your golden opportunity to climb the leaderboards with smart picks and bold differentials!

Match Context & Stakes

The 66th match of IPL 2025 is not just another league game—it’s a high-voltage encounter with significant implications for both teams and fantasy cricket enthusiasts. Punjab Kings (PBKS), after years of near-misses, have finally cracked the code this season. Their blend of youth and experience, tactical acumen under Shreyas Iyer, and a fearless brand of cricket have propelled them to the top two of the points table. With a win here, PBKS can secure a crucial top-two finish, giving them two shots at making the final—a massive advantage in the playoffs.

For Delhi Capitals (DC), this match is about pride and experimentation. Their campaign started with promise, with Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul setting the tone at the top. However, injuries, inconsistent form, and a lack of finishing power in the middle order saw them slip out of playoff contention. Now, with the pressure off, DC can play with freedom, test their bench strength, and spoil PBKS’s party. For fantasy players, this opens up the possibility of surprise picks and unexpected heroes.

Key Preview Insights:
The last time these two sides met, PBKS were in a dominant position before the match was halted. That momentum, however, is hard to replicate—especially with the move from the cool conditions of Dharamsala to the heat and skiddy pitches of Jaipur. Since then, DC’s playoff hopes have evaporated after a loss to Mumbai Indians, while PBKS are still fighting for a top-two finish. Even with a win, Punjab’s fate may depend on their final league game, making every run and wicket in this match crucial.

Delhi, now free from playoff pressure, could play with a liberated mindset, which sometimes makes a team more dangerous. Their recent collapse at Wankhede showed how pressure can affect performance, but with nothing to lose, DC’s talented squad could spring a surprise. PBKS, meanwhile, have made a habit of posting huge totals—crossing 200 six times while batting first this season, a feat matched only by KKR in 2014.

Team News & Predicted XIs

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

• Priyansh Arya
• Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
• Mitchell Owen
• Shreyas Iyer (C)
• Nehal Wadhera
• Shashank Singh
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Marco Jansen
• Xavier Bartlett
• Yuzvendra Chahal
• Arshdeep Singh
• Impact Player: Harpreet Brar

Squad Update: PBKS have been boosted by the arrival of their Australian trio—Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Aaron Hardie—all available for selection. Kyle Jamieson is also fit. Harpreet Brar’s left-arm spin has been especially effective against left-handers, making him a key match-up against DC’s Abishek Porel and Axar Patel.

Strengths: Depth in all-rounders, explosive openers, variety in bowling (pace and spin), and a strong finish with both bat and ball.
Weaknesses: Occasional middle-order collapses and pressure on death bowling.

Delhi Capitals (DC)

• Faf du Plessis
• KL Rahul (WK)
• Abishek Porel
• Axar Patel (C)
• Sameer Rizvi
• Tristan Stubbs
• Ashutosh Sharma
• Vipraj Nigam
• Dushmantha Chameera
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Mustafizur Rahman
• Impact Player: Mukesh Kumar

Squad Update: Axar Patel’s availability is uncertain due to illness, and there are fitness concerns over Vipraj Nigam. Mukesh Kumar is expected to recover from cramps. Kuldeep Yadav remains DC’s trump card, especially if he can recapture his early-season form.

Strengths: Experienced openers, world-class spin (Kuldeep, Axar), and a mix of youth and experience.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent middle order, heavy reliance on overseas pacers, and lack of momentum.

Jaipur Pitch & Weather Report

• Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
• Pitch: Expect a good batting surface, as has been the trend this season. The bounce may be slightly lower and skiddier, but batters have generally trusted the pitch for strokeplay. Bowlers will need to rely on pace variations to be effective.
• Weather: Jaipur is in the midst of peak summer, with temperatures soaring into the high 40s. The dry heat could make the pitch even more batting-friendly, but the curator has so far managed to keep surfaces from deteriorating.

Fantasy Tip: Batting first is slightly advantageous if the pitch is dry, but dew could make chasing easier.

Historical Head-to-Head & Memorable Moments

PBKS and DC have faced off 21 times in IPL history, with DC holding a slight edge with 12 wins compared to PBKS’s 9. However, recent encounters have favored PBKS, who have won 4 of the last 5 matches, including a thrilling last-ball victory last season.

Latest Stat: The head-to-head is now 17-16 in favor of PBKS, reflecting just how evenly matched these franchises have been over the years.

Memorable Matches:

• IPL 2024 Qualifier 1: PBKS chased down 185 with Shreyas Iyer smashing 85* off 45 balls, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
• IPL 2023 Group Stage: DC won by 7 wickets, with Faf du Plessis scoring a classy 92, demonstrating his dominance over PBKS’s bowling attack.
• IPL 2022 Nail-biter: A low-scoring thriller where Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4-wicket haul helped PBKS defend 145.

Key Player Battles & Match-Ups

Shreyas Iyer vs Kuldeep Yadav

Shreyas Iyer, PBKS’s captain and batting mainstay, has been in sublime form this season. His ability to play both pace and spin makes him a tough wicket. However, DC’s Kuldeep Yadav has a knack for breaking partnerships and dismissing set batters with his deceptive googlies and flighted deliveries. Historically, Iyer has a strike rate of just 110 against Kuldeep in T20s, with two dismissals in their last four meetings. This head-to-head could decide the middle overs—if Iyer dominates, PBKS could post a massive total; if Kuldeep gets him early, DC are right in the game.

Faf du Plessis & KL Rahul vs Arshdeep Singh

The DC opening pair is their biggest strength. Faf’s experience and Rahul’s elegance can dismantle any bowling attack. However, PBKS’s Arshdeep Singh has developed into one of the best new-ball bowlers in the IPL. His ability to swing the ball and bowl tight lines in the powerplay can put pressure on DC early. In their last three encounters, Arshdeep has dismissed Rahul twice and Faf once inside the first six overs. If Arshdeep strikes early, PBKS gain a huge advantage.

Axar Patel vs PBKS Middle Order

Axar Patel is DC’s trump card with both bat and ball. As a bowler, he thrives in the middle overs, especially on pitches that grip and turn like Jaipur’s. PBKS’s middle order—Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Mitchell Owen—will need to be proactive against Axar’s tight lines and subtle variations. With the bat, Axar can finish games or rescue DC from tricky situations. His all-round impact makes him a must-have in fantasy teams.

Mustafizur Rahman at the Death

The “Fizz” is a proven death-overs specialist. His off-cutters and yorkers are tailor-made for the Jaipur surface, especially if there’s dew. PBKS’s lower order likes to go big in the last five overs, but Mustafizur’s variations could restrict them. In the last two IPLs, Mustafizur has the best economy rate (7.2) in the final four overs among overseas pacers.

Tactical Note: Harpreet Brar’s left-arm spin has been outstanding against left-handed batters, picking up 4 wickets in 30 balls at an average of 11 and a dot-ball percentage of 40%. He could be especially effective against DC’s lefties.

Player Form & Season Stats Deep Dive

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)

• Matches: 12
• Runs: 435
• Average: 48.33
• Strike Rate: 174.70

Iyer has been the backbone of PBKS’s batting, combining aggression with consistency. His ability to accelerate in the death overs makes him a fantasy favorite.

Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)

• Matches: 12
• Wickets: 16
• Economy: 7.8

Arshdeep has been lethal with the new ball and in death overs, often picking crucial wickets and maintaining pressure.

Faf du Plessis (DC)

• Matches: 11
• Runs: 410
• Average: 45.55
• Strike Rate: 160.20

Faf’s experience and adaptability have been vital for DC. He can anchor innings or play explosively as required.

Kuldeep Yadav (DC)

• Matches: 12
• Wickets: 14
• Economy: 7.5

Kuldeep’s wrist-spin has been effective in middle overs, breaking partnerships and controlling the run flow. When DC were on a winning run early in the season, he picked up 10 wickets in five games at an average of 11.2 and an economy of 5.6.

Did You Know?
KL Rahul is the only centurion this IPL whose hundred came in a losing cause this season.
Vipraj Nigam is among a select group of all-rounders with over 100 runs and 8 wickets this IPL, highlighting his dual threat.
KL Rahul has surpassed 500 runs in seven of the last eight IPL seasons, underlining his consistency at the top.
PBKS have posted 200+ first-innings totals six times in eight matches—a feat unmatched since KKR’s 2014 campaign.

Tactical Breakdown: How PBKS and DC Will Approach the Game

Punjab Kings

PBKS will look to dominate the powerplay with Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer setting a brisk pace. Their all-rounders like Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai provide balance, allowing flexibility in bowling changes. Spin will be crucial in the middle overs, with Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar expected to exploit the Jaipur pitch. Death bowling responsibility will largely fall on Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett.

Delhi Capitals

DC will rely heavily on their experienced openers, Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul, to set a solid foundation. Their middle order is a mix of youth and experience, with Axar Patel providing all-round options. Kuldeep Yadav and Mustafizur Rahman will be key in controlling the middle and death overs respectively. DC may experiment with their bowling attack to find the right combinations, given their lack of playoff pressure.

Fantasy Strategy: Must-Haves & Differentials

Must-Have Picks

• Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Red-hot form and captaincy duties make him a must-have.
• Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): Consistent wicket-taker and economical bowler.
• Faf du Plessis (DC): Reliable top-order batsman with big-hitting ability.
• Kuldeep Yadav (DC): Key spinner who picks wickets regularly.
• Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS): Explosive opener who can earn quick fantasy points.

Differentials (High-Reward, Low-Pick)

• Shashank Singh (PBKS): Potential match-winner with the bat, low ownership.
• Mustafizur Rahman (DC): Death bowling specialist with wicket-taking ability.
• Harpreet Brar (PBKS): Spin option with batting ability, great value pick.

Avoid/Bench

DC’s inconsistent middle order and PBKS’s lower order may not offer reliable fantasy returns.

Dream11 Team Suggestions

Safe Team (Low Risk)

Grand League Team (High Risk, High Reward)

Captain & Vice-Captain Choices

• Safe Captain: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – consistent, in-form, and bats in the top order.
• Punt Captain: Faf du Plessis (DC) – can score big if he gets set.
• Vice-Captain: Axar Patel (DC) – offers points with both bat and ball.
• Differential VC: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) – wicket-taker in all phases.

Fan & Expert Opinions

Social media buzz ahead of this match highlights the excitement around PBKS’s strong season and DC’s fighting spirit. Fans are backing Shreyas Iyer to lead PBKS to a dominant finish, while many experts praise Faf du Plessis’s ability to anchor DC’s innings despite their struggles.

Cricket analysts emphasize the importance of the spin battle, especially how Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will influence the middle overs. Fantasy experts recommend picking a balanced team with a mix of proven performers and high-upside differentials to maximize points.

Expert Prediction: Who Will Win?

Punjab Kings enter this match as favorites, and for good reason. Their top order is in red-hot form, the all-rounders provide balance, and their bowling attack is versatile. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership has been proactive, and the team’s morale is high after clinching a playoff spot.

Delhi Capitals, though out of the playoff race, are dangerous precisely because they have nothing to lose. Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul can take the game away in the powerplay, and the spin duo of Kuldeep and Axar can choke runs in the middle overs. If DC’s openers fire and their bowlers execute plans, an upset is possible.

Scenario Analysis:
– If PBKS bat first and score above 190, their bowlers are likely to defend it.
– If DC bat first, a score of 180+ gives them a fighting chance, but PBKS’s depth in batting tips the scales.

Fantasy Impact:
– Expect big points from top-order batters and all-rounders.
– Bowlers who operate in the powerplay and death overs are likely to pick up wickets.
– Don’t ignore differentials—players like Shashank Singh or Harpreet Brar could be the surprise package.

Final Thoughts

This match is a goldmine for fantasy cricket players. PBKS’s consistency and DC’s unpredictability mean you should build a balanced fantasy team—mixing in-form stars with high-upside differentials. Keep an eye on the toss, final XIs, and last-minute weather updates for the best edge.

FAQs

Who are the best captaincy picks for PBKS vs DC?

Shreyas Iyer, Faf du Plessis, and Axar Patel are top choices.

Which bowlers are likely to take the most wickets?

Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Mustafizur Rahman (DC), and Kuldeep Yadav (DC) are strong picks.

Should I pick differentials for this match?

Yes! Players like Shashank Singh and Harpreet Brar (PBKS), and Mustafizur Rahman (DC) have high upside and low selection rates.

What’s the best fantasy strategy for this match?

Stack your team with in-form PBKS batters and DC’s spinners. Use one or two differentials to stand out in mega leagues.

Bookmark this page for the most accurate, up-to-date IPL fantasy predictions and tips! Good luck, and may your fantasy team top the charts tonight!