Punjab Kings Aim for Victory Against Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala

Punjab Kings are set to host Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala on May 11, looking to end a three-match losing streak. This game kicks off a series of three matches at the scenic venue, with upcoming clashes against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise has a rich history of playing in multiple cities, and this season marks the first time Dharamshala will host a playoff match. Read on to learn more about the match and the venue's significance in IPL history.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 11, 2026, 16:14 IST

Punjab Kings Set to Host Delhi Capitals

On Monday, May 11, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will strive to return to winning form as they face Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. This match comes after PBKS has suffered three consecutive losses. This game marks the beginning of a series of three matches at this picturesque venue, with upcoming fixtures against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday, May 14, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday, May 17. The team will be playing away from their traditional home in New Chandigarh, which is located 228 km away, to fulfill their home game requirements. Previously, PBKS played their first four home matches in Punjab at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Reasons for PBKS Playing in Dharamshala

Continuing a tradition established in 2010, PBKS has opted to host home games in various cities. Dharamshala has been a secondary home ground for the franchise since the third season of the tournament. The venue hosted two matches for each franchise during the 2011 and 2013 seasons, and PBKS played three home games there in 2012. After a decade-long hiatus, the team returned to Dharamshala and has since played home matches there annually. In 2023 and 2024, they played two games each, and they were set to host three matches in 2025 before the tournament was postponed due to Operation Sindoor. Additionally, PBKS played two home games at Holkat Stadium in Indore during the 2018 season. Since their establishment in 2008, PBKS has primarily played at the I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali, but they transitioned to the new facility in New Chandigarh, owned by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), starting from the 2024 season. In the 2026 campaign, PBKS will join Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals in playing home matches across multiple venues.

Dharamshala to Host Playoff Match

This season, Dharamshala will make history by hosting a playoff match for the first time in IPL's history. The first qualifier is scheduled for May 26, featuring the top two teams from the standings at the HPCA Stadium. Meanwhile, PBKS' original home in New Chandigarh will host the eliminator and the second qualifier on May 27 and 29, respectively. The final match is set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31, marking the fourth time this grand venue will host the championship clash in five seasons.