Punjab Kings produced a stunning, match-defining chase against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 fixture at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Chasing a target of 265, PBKS crossed the line with 18.5 overs remaining, thanks to a blistering early burst from Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya before Shreyas Iyer’s calm finish completed the job in a high-pressure run chase.
PBKS’ chase: a blistering start, a wobble, then the finish
PBKS began with real momentum in pursuit of 265, with Prabhsimran Singh striking 76 off only 26 balls and Priyansh Arya adding 43 off 17. Their explosive partnership gave Punjab the platform to attack, but Delhi Capitals responded with quick wickets to disrupt the flow and bring the contest back under control for a period.
When the chase needed stability and composure, Shreyas Iyer stepped in and delivered under pressure. He finished on 71 not out from 36 deliveries, guiding PBKS to a historic win in the massive chase despite DC’s late comeback.
Two dropped chances that swung the game
The turning point that drew immediate criticism came in the field: Karun Nair dropped PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer’s catch twice. Those missed chances proved extremely costly for Delhi Capitals as Iyer eventually built the innings that sealed the chase.
- Karun Nair missed two catches involving Shreyas Iyer during PBKS’ run chase.
- The errors were singled out as key reasons Delhi struggled to contain Punjab in the finish.
Virender Sehwag lashes out at Nair’s fielding
Former India opener and ex-Delhi Daredevils batter Virender Sehwag did not hold back in his assessment of Nair’s fielding. Sehwag criticised the drop in the context of missed opportunities, arguing that poor catching can have direct consequences on match outcomes.
Sehwag said it was simply “not acceptable”, pointing to the broader expectation that players must contribute both with bat and ball, and especially when they get a chance in the field. He argued that if a player drops catches when the game offers an opportunity to make an impact, the captain will naturally question selection decisions.
He further stressed that batting alone cannot be a player’s only responsibility. According to Sehwag, completing run outs and taking catches are also central duties, and he held Nair responsible for DC’s loss against PBKS due to the two missed chances.
- Sehwag said fielding effort must match the opportunity given to a player.
- He argued that dropping catches can influence how captains evaluate whether a player should be in the XI.
- He insisted that batters must still contribute in the field, including taking catches and finishing run outs.
Delhi Capitals’ innings: KL Rahul’s IPL record knock
Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals posted a formidable total after opting to bat first, finishing on 264 for 2. KL Rahul delivered a sensational innings of 152 not out off 67 balls, featuring 16 fours and nine sixes. Nitish Rana also played a major role for DC, scoring 91 off 44 deliveries with 11 fours and four sixes.
Rahul and Rana combined to put on a massive partnership of 220 runs for the second wicket in 95 balls, powering Delhi to a score that looked challenging from the start. Rahul’s 152-run knock also became the highest individual score by an Indian batter in IPL history.
- Delhi Capitals: 264/2 in the first innings after choosing to bat.
- KL Rahul: 152* off 67 balls (16 fours, 9 sixes).
- Nitish Rana: 91 off 44 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes).
- Second-wicket stand: 220 runs off 95 balls between Rahul and Rana.
- Rahul’s 152*: highest score by an Indian batter in IPL history.
