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Starc To Trouble Shreyas Iyer? 5 Player Battles To Watch Out In PBKS vs DC IPL Match



Prabhsimran Singh and Axar Patel (Source: @IPL/X.com)Prabhsimran Singh and Axar Patel (Source: @IPL/X.com)

It's the all-important match number 58 in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 where Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be challenging the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala.This thrilling encounter will be played on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 7:30 PM IST.

Both sides are in contention for the play-offs and will be playing to keep their momentum alive. The home side, Punjab Kings, are currently third on the table with 15 points in 11 matches, having won seven of them and with a net run rate of +0.376. Conversely, Delhi Capitals are fifth on the table with 13 points in 11 games, having won six of them as they have a NRR of +0.362. 

Therefore, with much at stake, let's have a look at the player battles that could be crucial in this encounter between PBKS vs DC.

1. KL Rahul vs Arshdeep Singh

Criterion
Data
Innings
3
Runs
31
Wickets
2
Balls25
Average15.50
Strike Rate124.00
  • One of the noticable battle in this encounter will be between DC's KL Rahul and Punjab's left-arm pacer, Arshdeep Singh. In three innings, Arshdeep has bowled against Rahul, he has dismissed the right-hander twice while only 31 runs have been scored off 25 deliveries.
  • Rahul has been a significant asset for DC in this campaign, scoring runs at a good rate while providing his side with some stability in the middle order. Meanwhile, Arshdeep has been incredible with the ball in both the powerplay and death overs for the Punjab side.
  • As the match-up reflects, Rahul has not been fluent against Arshdeep Singh, and that could play in favour of Punjab's pacer, who should come into bowl when Rahul enters the crease. If he gets set, the right-handed batter would be difficult to get out, and hence, could be a problem for Punjab.

2. Faf du Plessis vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Criterion
Data
Innings
12
Runs
44
Wickets
3
Balls50
Average14.66
Strike Rate88.00
  • Another battle that could set the tone of this encounter is between DC's opener, Faf Du Plessis, and Punjab's leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal. It is worth noting that Chahal has dismissed Faf three times out of 12, but the Proteas batter has only managed 44 runs off 50 deliveries he has faced against him, which means he averages just 14.66 and has a strike rate of 88.
  • Faf loves to play the role of an anchor and likes to play big, long innings, therefore, Kings should employ Chahal against Faf right from the beginning of the innings to ensure he does not stay after the powerplay.
  • On the other hand, Yuzi Chahal has been magnificent for the Punjab-based side and hence, would play another massive role in this encounter. If Faf manages to negotiate Chahal, the South African opener would definitely provide Delhi a strong start, and that is something Punjab should take notice of.

3. Shreyas Iyer vs Mitchell Starc

Criterion
Data
Innings
2
Runs
8
Wickets
1
Balls7
Average8.00
Strike Rate114.28
  • DC's spearhead, Mitchell Starc, will be up against his former skipper, Shreyas Iyer, as both of them would love to have a go at each other. Iyer generally bats one down the order, and hence, would likely come inside the powe play if a wicket falls early, and whereas Starc is both a new ball and death over specialist, and therefore, would be a great even match-up when, Iyer comes to bat inside the six-over mark where Starc would still be on attack
  • Out of two occasions, Starc has dismissed Iyer once, while only eight runs have been scored so far off seven deliveries.
  • The PBKS captain has been in terrific form, where he played a blinder knock of 45 from 25 deliveries against Lucknow Super Giants in the last game, as Delhi Capitals would look to ensure that he does not get a similar move on this time around, and would look to introduce Starc straightaway into the attack whenever Iyer walks on to the crease.
  • Shreyas Iyer is generally an aggressive hitter and loves to take on pacers with his dynamic hitting range, whereas Starc has the ability to swing the ball both ways with his express pace, and that is why this would be a massive battle that could shape up the result of this encounter.

4. Shreyas Iyer vs Kuldeep Yadav

Criterion
Data
Innings
7
Runs
64
Wickets
2
Balls42
Average32.00
Strike Rate152.38
  • While Iyer is a wonderful spin hitter, he also has decent numbers against Kuldeep Yadav, who has only managed to dismiss him twice in seven innings where the right-handed batter has smashed him for 64 runs off 42 deliveries.
  • The average of 32 and strike rate of 152.38 tells that Shreyas would again target the left-arm chinaman spinner. The middle overs are a crucial part of any T20 game, where spinners generally dominate, and that is where Shreyas' role would come in handy, who would like to make sure that Kuldeep does not get an edge in this encounter, specifically.
  • If Kuldeep gets under the skin of the batters, runs would be hard to come by, as he would be going for the wickets, and consequently, the opposition will slide on the back foot, and that is why Shreyas' role against the chinaman will be important to make sure that he does not let him settle in.

5. Prabhsimran Singh vs Axar Patel

Criterion
Data
Innings
3
Runs
24
Wickets
1
Balls26
Average24.00
Strike Rate92.30
  • This one is an interesting match-up where PBKS's dynamic big-hitting opener Prabhsimran Singh has been troubled by DC's skipper, Axar Patel, with his left-arm spin. Prabhsimran has been in magnificent touch, and thus, getting him out early would be a real challenge for the Capitals.
  • To get a hold of the situation, Axar should look to introduce himself into the attack right from the start, as the numbers suggest that Prabhsimran struggles against left-arm spinner. In 26 deliveries, Patel has bowled against Prabhsimran, the right-handed batter has only been able to score 24 runs where he has been outfoxed once.
  • Prabhsimran loves to go against pacers, and that is why DC should refrain from handing the ball to a pacer while Prabhsimran is still at the crease.
  • If Axar Patel dismisses Prabhsimran, it would be a major advantage, as he has done the bulk of scoring for the Kings in this season, whereas if he manages to get set, the Delhi side would be in trouble as he generally likes to spend time in the middle while playing some worthy innings.