Delhi Capitals Triumph Over Punjab Kings in Thrilling IPL Encounter

In a gripping IPL match, Delhi Capitals triumphed over Punjab Kings by three wickets, thanks to stellar performances from Axar Patel and Madhav Tiwari. After a shaky start, DC's captain led the charge with a crucial 56 runs, supported by David Miller's explosive innings. The match showcased the resilience of the lower order, ensuring a thrilling finish. Axar praised his team's all-round performance and highlighted the potential of young players like Sahil Parakh. Madhav, awarded Player of the Match, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and shared insights into his development as an all-rounder. This victory keeps DC's playoff hopes alive as they look forward to their next matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 12, 2026, 02:08 IST

Delhi Capitals Secure Victory Against Punjab Kings

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 12: In an exciting IPL match at the HPCA Cricket Stadium, Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel expressed his delight after leading the team to a three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Monday.

Chasing a target of 211 runs, DC faced early trouble at 74/4. However, a remarkable partnership between Axar Patel, who scored 56 runs off 33 balls, and David Miller, who contributed 51 runs off 28 balls, turned the game around. The duo added 64 runs in a short span, and despite losing wickets towards the end, the lower order held their nerve. Ashutosh Sharma played a vital role with a quick 24 off 10 balls, while Madhav Tiwari remained not out at 18 off 8 balls, and Auqib Nabi sealed the win with 10 runs off just 2 balls, finishing the innings at 216/7 in 19 overs, thus keeping DC's playoff aspirations alive.

Earlier, PBKS had set a challenging score of 210/5, thanks to a strong start from Priyansh Arya, who scored 56 off 33 balls, and Prabhsimran Singh. Captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, while Suryansh Shedge added a brisk 21*. In the bowling department for DC, Mukesh Kumar (1/31 in 4 overs) and Madhav (2/40 in 4 overs) were standout performers.

For PBKS, dropped catches and poor fielding contributed to their fourth consecutive defeat.

Post-match, Axar Patel praised the all-around performance of his team and expressed hope that they could maintain this momentum in upcoming matches. He commended the bowlers for their recovery after conceding 60 runs in the initial overs and limiting PBKS to 72 runs during the powerplay, which he identified as a pivotal moment in the match.

Axar also acknowledged the contributions of Mukesh and Madhav during the middle overs, his significant partnership with Miller, and the composure displayed by the younger players in finishing the game. He specifically highlighted Sahil Parakh's potential, stating, "He could be a great player in the future," and emphasized the confidence he derives from having such talented youngsters in the squad.

"I am very pleased with the team's performance, and I hope we can replicate this in the next two games. Although we conceded 60 runs in the first few overs, restricting them to 72 in the powerplay was crucial. The bowling from Mukesh and Madhav in the middle overs, along with my partnership with Miller and the youngsters finishing the game, shows that we have a bright future ahead. Sahil's runs were impressive, and having young talents like him makes a captain proud," Axar stated during the post-match presentation.

Madhav Tiwari, who was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round performance, expressed gratitude to the team management for their support and shared his joy in contributing to the victory. He mentioned his dedication to improving his bowling and batting skills with his coach, humorously describing himself as both "100 percent bowler and 100 percent batter" when asked about his all-round capabilities.

"I want to thank the management for this opportunity. I feel fortunate to be part of a winning team. I've worked hard on my bowling and range-hitting with my batting coach. It was enjoyable, and I'm glad I could help the team. As for whether I'm a batting or bowling all-rounder, I like to think of myself as both!" Madhav remarked after the match.