IPL 2026: Axar, Miller fifties power DC to record Dharamsala chase against PBKS, keep playoff hopes alive

Delhi Capitals kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling three-wicket win over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring encounter at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday.

Chasing a daunting target of 211, DC rode on explosive half-centuries from captain Axar Patel and David Miller before Auqib Nabi sealed the chase with six balls to spare as Delhi finished on 216/7 in 19 overs. The victory also helped DC avenge their earlier defeat to Punjab Kings, who had chased down 265 against them in Delhi earlier this season.

Advertisement

Earlier, Punjab Kings posted a commanding 210/5 after blistering knocks from Priyansh Arya and skipper Shreyas Iyer.

Arya gave PBKS a flying start with a fearless assault on Mitchell Starc and the DC pace attack, smashing 56 off just 33 balls with five sixes. The left-hander took apart Starc in the opening over, which went for 22 runs, the most expensive first over of the Australian pacer’s T20 career.

PBKS stormed to 72/0 in the powerplay as Arya reached his fifty in just 24 deliveries. However, Delhi Capitals gradually fought back through Mukesh Kumar and IPL debutant Madhav Tiwari, who impressed with figures of 2/40.

Tiwari removed Arya with a sharp short-ball trap after the opener had threatened to take the game away from DC.

Shreyas Iyer then steadied the innings while maintaining the aggressive tempo. The PBKS captain remained unbeaten on 59 and played several audacious strokes, including a stunning straight six off Lungi Ngidi despite losing grip of his bat during the shot. Cooper Connolly also chipped in with a quick cameo, while Suryansh Shedge provided the late fireworks.

The defining moment of Punjab’s innings came in the 19th over. After Starc dismissed Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh in successive deliveries, Shedge counterattacked brilliantly by smashing the hat-trick ball for six straight down the ground. He followed it with another towering maximum and a boundary to push PBKS beyond the 200-run mark.

Despite conceding 210, Delhi Capitals responded positively with the bat. However, their chase stumbled early as Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur reduced them to 33/3 inside five overs. KL Rahul, Abishek Porel and Sahil Parakh all departed cheaply as PBKS threatened to take control.

Axar Patel, though, led the rescue act with an aggressive counterattack. The DC skipper hammered 56 off just 30 balls, bringing up his first half-century of the season in only 28 deliveries. Alongside him, David Miller produced one of his best knocks of the campaign, smashing 51 off 28 balls with four sixes.

The pair rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership that shifted momentum back towards Delhi. Even after Axar fell to Marcus Stoinis and Miller departed in the 17th over after consecutive sixes, DC still required calm finishing under pressure.

Impact substitute Ashutosh Sharma injected fresh momentum with a rapid 24 off 10 balls before Auqib Nabi finished the contest in style. The youngster struck a six and a four in the 19th over to complete the chase and hand PBKS their fourth straight defeat.

With the win, Delhi Capitals kept their slim playoff hopes alive, while Punjab Kings missed the chance to return to the top of the table and now face increasing pressure heading into the final phase of the league stage.

PBKS vs DC IPL 2026: Playing XI

PBKS XI: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Ben Dwarshuis, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Subs: Harpreet Brar, Yash Thakur, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Pravin Dubey.

DC XI: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Madhav Tiwari, Mukesh Kumar, Auqib Nabi, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc.

Subs: Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Tripurana Vijay, Pathum Nissanka, Vipraj Nigam.