What did not happen in last 10 seasons might happen on Thursday as Punjab Kings (PBKS) need to defeat Delhi Capitals (DC) to become the first team in IPL 2025 to seal a play-offs spot in what will be their first top four finish since 2014. (Full Coverage | Points Table)
In 2014, the Kings, then called Kings XI Punjab, finished top of the table and ended as runners-up as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the title.
This season, Punjab Kings already have 15 points in 11 matches and a win against DC at Dharamsala will take them to 17 which will be enough to ensure a top-four finish. This will be because only four teams will now be able to finish at 17 points or more thanks to the many teams in top five playing each other.
After a win against DC, PBKS will move to top of the table and make the race for the top two spots interesting.
A loss for PBKS would not hurt their play-off chances much but will definitely be a jolt to their chances of finishing in the top two. PBKS' loss will also mean that Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be in a very good position to finish in the top two.
A Punjab win also gives DC's hopes of a top four finish a massive jolt. An out-of-form Capitals have only been able to win two out of their last seven games. They were given a lease of life with a washout in their last match against SunRisers Hyderabad which they looked certain to lose.
DC, who started the season with four straight wins, are in a spot of bother and if they do not beat PBKS tonight then their problems will only increase.
PBKS, on the other hand, are looking like the favourites ahead of the game with their top order firing and Arshdeep Singh seemingly at his best with the new ball. Shreyas Iyer is trying to become only the third Punjab captain after Yuvraj Singh (2008) and George Bailey (2014) to take the Kings to the semifinals/play-offs.
