IPL 2025: Sameer Rizvi and Karun Nair Lead DC’s Triumph Over PBKS, Shaking Up Top-Two Contests
Eliminated Delhi Capitals stun playoff-bound Punjab Kings with a fine run-chase in Jaipur to keep IPL 2025’s top-two race open
For the third consecutive game, a team that had been eliminated convincingly defeated one that was already through in the Indian Premier League, adding excitement to the contest for the top two spots during an otherwise uneventful latter part of the season. The Delhi Capitals concluded their IPL 2025 run on a positive note, securing a 6-wicket victory over the Punjab Kings at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday—a rematch following the abandonment due to weather issues in Dharamsala earlier this year.
Nair, Rizvi deliver
On a day when dear cricket finally showcased Karun Nair’s talent,
an eagerly awaited opportunity — receiving a call-up for an India Test match after almost eight years
It didn’t require much effort for the reliable domestics player to reciprocate. During a demanding 207-run pursuit, the seasoned Nair showcased his top form following a solid start provided by openers Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul for Delhi.
The pursuit seemed likely to fall apart as the openers stumbled, however, the wicket of Afghanistan’s first-ever IPL participant, Sediqullah Atal, taken by Praveen Dubey, unexpectedly invigorated Nair. He then proceeded to dominate the bowlers by striking four successive boundaries off the legspinner.
Nair’s commendable performance was eventually outshone by Sameer Rizvi’s crucial knock, where he struck an impressive 58 runs off only 25 balls. Facing a requirement of 52 runs from the final five overs, Arshdeep Singh immediately tightened the screws, allowing merely four runs in the 16th over. Rizvi then unleashed his power-hitting, clearing the boundary with ease over long-on. This was soon followed by Tristan Stubbs breaking through Harpreet Brar’s proficient bowling stint with a powerful six. Rizvi continued his assault against Azmatullah Omarzai, dispatching him for consecutive fours, setting up a reachable target for DC at 22 needed off 12 deliveries after starting with 34 required off 18. When UP League standout player executed a stunning swivel pull shot past Arshdeep for another maximum, coupled with Stubbs’ scooped four in the second-to-last over, the outcome became virtually decided.
Shreyas shines
Shreyas Iyer carries an unmistakable confidence—evident in his actions, stance, perpetual grin, and signature gum chewing. Typically, this self-assurance shines through in his batting, yet on this particular evening, as Punjab’s openers struggled once again at the start of their innings, it was captain Iyer’s calm demeanor rather than flamboyance that helped steady the team. Later, Australian force Marcus Stoinis made his entrance with characteristic flair, adding the much-needed panache to the squad’s performance.
As wickets continued to fall periodically from the opposite end, Iyer maintained a steady flow on the scoreboard, forming four alliances each exceeding 20 runs. He chose to drop down to batting position five, positioning Josh Inglis before him following an early exit for Priyansh Arya. This tactical shift proved beneficial initially, thanks to Inglis’ rapid scoring; he reached 32 off just twelve balls. Starting his innings with a boundary, where he slapped a shot past short cover against Vipraj Nigam’s bowling, Iyer went on to score his fifth fifty of the campaign.
In Delhi’s match, Mustafizur Rahman stood out with his clever use of cutters and variations. During the middle overs, DC took control, preventing Punjab from hitting any boundaries for 18 consecutive deliveries, with Nehal Wadhera and Shashank returning to the pavilion. This shift swung the game in DC’s favor prior to Marcus Stoinis’ powerful performance at bat. Entering during the 16th over, Stoinis smashed three fours and four sixes, scoring an impressive 44 runs off just 16 balls. His efforts propelled Punjab past the 200-run threshold for the seventh time this season when batting first. However, despite this effort, it ultimately proved insufficient as they anxiously await securing their position among the top two teams.
Brief scores:
The Punjab Kings, scoring 206 for 8 with Shreyas Iyer contributing 53 runs and Mustafizur Rahman taking 3 wickets for 33 runs, were defeated by the Delhi Capitals who scored 208 for 4 in just 19.3 overs (Sameer Rizvi hit 58 runs, while Harpreet Brar claimed 2 wickets for 41 runs), losing by six wickets.
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