Punjab Kings Achieve Historic T20 Chase Against Delhi Capitals

In a thrilling match, Punjab Kings achieved a historic run-chase against Delhi Capitals, successfully chasing down 265 runs, the highest in T20 history. KL Rahul's remarkable century, scoring 152 not out, set the stage for the chase, although it ultimately ended in a losing effort for DC. Captain Shreyas Iyer praised the team's aggressive strategy during the powerplay, which was crucial for their success. With this victory, PBKS remains unbeaten in the tournament, showcasing their formidable batting lineup and strategic prowess. Discover how this match unfolded and the key performances that led to this record-breaking chase.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 26, 2026, 02:22 IST

Historic Victory for Punjab Kings

New Delhi, April 25: After an impressive record run-chase against Delhi Capitals (DC), Punjab Kings' (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer praised KL Rahul's remarkable century, which, despite its brilliance, ended up in a losing effort. Iyer emphasized the team's strategy to leverage the powerplay during their ambitious chase.

PBKS maintained their unbeaten streak, pulling off a thrilling match by successfully chasing down 265 runs, marking the highest total ever achieved in T20 cricket. KL Rahul's astonishing 152 not out off 67 balls made him the first Indian to score 150 in the IPL, and he now holds the record for India's highest men's T20 score. However, he had to watch as Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya launched an aggressive assault during the powerplay, setting a solid foundation for the chase.

In the post-match presentation, Iyer reflected on the team's experience as KL and Nitish Rana dominated the field with their record-setting 220-run partnership for the second wicket. He expressed, “I am at a loss for words about this win. It was incredibly hot, and seeing bowlers being hit for boundaries can really throw you off your game. We expected the pitch to turn, but it didn’t offer much. When Yuzi (Chahal) bowled, the ball held a bit, but it didn’t have a significant impact. Hats off to KL for his fabulous performance; it was a joy to watch.”

Iyer further elaborated on the team's mindset during the chase, emphasizing the importance of scoring just one more run. Inspired by KL's performance, which he described as filled with 'beautiful shots,' the team felt confident they could match DC's hitting prowess.

“I kept telling myself that whatever they score, we just need to get one more run to win. That was our focus. The bowlers were delivering well, and KL was improvising beautifully, making it look effortless. I thought if they could do it, so could we,” he added.

The dressing room had agreed to approach the chase similarly to their previous successful chases of around 220-225 runs. Iyer noted, “We had discussed that in earlier matches, we chased totals in that range with two overs to spare. Our mindset was to maximize runs during the powerplay, and Prabhsimran and Priyansh went all out from the start, setting the stage for us. The rest of us just aimed to build on that strong start.”

With this victory, PBKS remains unbeaten with six wins and one no result, accumulating 13 points. Meanwhile, DC sits in sixth place with three wins and four losses, totaling six points. PBKS has now surpassed their previous record of chasing down 262 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2024 season.

In the match, after DC chose to bat first, a thrilling 220-run partnership between KL Rahul (152* off 67 balls, including 16 fours and nine sixes) and Nitish Rana (91* off 44 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes) propelled DC to a total of 264/2.

PBKS responded vigorously, with Priyansh Arya scoring 43 off 17 balls (two fours and five sixes) and Prabhsimran contributing 76 off 26 balls (nine fours and five sixes), accumulating 116 runs during the powerplay. Shreyas Iyer also played a crucial role, scoring 71* off 36 balls (three fours and seven sixes) and forming partnerships with Nehal Wadhera (25) and Shashank Singh (19*), completing the chase in just 18.5 overs with six wickets remaining.