Delhi Capitals chase down a daunting 207-run target as Sameer Rizvi smashes an unbeaten 58 in 25 balls to break Punjab’s unbeaten run.
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], May 25: In a high-voltage encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Sameer Rizvi’s blistering unbeaten 58 off 25 balls powered Delhi Capitals (DC) to a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 19.3 overs on Saturday. His knock, studded with three boundaries and four towering sixes, ensured DC overhauled Punjab’s formidable 206-run target in a dramatic finish.
𝙍𝙞𝙯𝙯-𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 🙇♂️
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 24, 2025
A high-quality innings to close it out in style ✌️@DelhiCapitals sign off from this season in a 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 fashion 💙
Updates ▶ https://t.co/k6WP8zBwzL #TATAIPL | #PBKSvDC pic.twitter.com/3qgtrlWDDj
Speaking after the match, Rizvi said, “This is why we play – for these big moments. I just wanted to stay calm, back my shots, and get the team home.”
Punjab, who had already qualified for the playoffs and were sitting second on the table with 17 points, will take this loss as a minor hiccup before the final phase.
Delhi’s innings started with intent, as KL Rahul (35 off 21) and Faf du Plessis (23 off 15) put on a 55-run opening stand. However, South African pacer Marco Jansen and spinner Harpreet Brar struck back to remove the pair by the seventh over, reducing Delhi to 65/2.
Debutant Sediqullah Atal looked promising, hammering 22 in 16 balls before leggie Praveen Dubey sent him packing. Karun Nair (44 off 27) then combined with Rizvi for a crucial 62-run stand, laying the foundation for the final push.
Punjab’s Harpreet Brar was the pick of the bowlers with 2/41, while Jansen (1/41) and Dubey (1/20) chipped in with wickets.
Earlier, a captain’s knock from Shreyas Iyer (53 off 34) and a blistering cameo from Marcus Stoinis (44 off 20) propelled Punjab Kings to 206/8. Prabhsimran Singh (28) and Josh Inglis (32 off 12) provided early impetus, while Stoinis and Iyer unleashed carnage in the death overs. DC’s Mustafizur Rahman (3/33) led the bowling attack, ably supported by Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam with two wickets each.
As the run chase unfolded, Punjab seemed in control until Rizvi’s heroics turned the game on its head. His calculated assault, supported by Tristan Stubbs (18*), sealed the deal with three balls to spare, leaving Punjab’s bowlers stunned.
This win elevates Delhi’s morale after a rocky season, while Punjab will look to regroup as they head into the playoffs.