3 player battles to watch out for in PBKS vs DC, Match 66 of IPL 2025 ft. Shreyas Iyer
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will host the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, May 24.
PBKS have had an excellent IPL 2025 campaign so far, and are second in the standings. They have 17 points in their kitty, including eight wins and three defeats, while one match was washed out due to rainfall.
On the other hand, DC have been eliminated from the competition after losing to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their previous fixture. The Capitals are winless in their last six matches and will look to return to winning ways and end their campaign positively.
With two sides vying for a playoff berth, a cracking contest is on the cards. On that note, we look at three player battles to watch out for in this match.
3 player battles to watch out for in PBKS vs DC, Match 58 of IPL 2025
#1 Shreyas Iyer vs Kuldeep Yadav
It will be an exciting duel when two Indian internationals go up against each other. PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer has been in scintillating form, amassing 435 runs in 12 matches at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 174.69, including four half-centuries.
Thus, it will be imperative for DC to keep Iyer in check. The DC skipper might be tempted to introduce Kuldeep Yadav against Iyer, with the latter's ability to take the ball both ways.
The right-handed batter has scored 64 runs off 42 deliveries against Kuldeep in T20s, while getting out twice.
#2 KL Rahul vs Arshdeep Singh
KL Rahul has been DC's best batter in IPL 2025, scoring 504 runs in 12 matches at an average of 56, including three fifties and one hundred. The wicketkeeper-batter has played a crucial role whenever Delhi have won.
Thus, PBKS' main aim will be to dismiss Rahul early in order to stay ahead in the game. The home side will look to unleash left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh against Rahul early in his innings.
Rahul has gotten out twice to Arshdeep in T20s while scoring only 31 runs off 25 deliveries at a strike rate of 124.
#3 Priyansh Arya vs Mukesh Kumar
Playing his maiden IPL season, the young left-handed batter has impressed with his hard-hitting abilities. Priyansh Arya has scored 356 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of over 190, including a fifty and a hundred.
DC's new ball bowlers will have to keep Priyansh in check if they have to restrict PBKS to a low total, and Mukesh Kumar might be tasked with doing the job. Although Mukesh has looked inconsistent in IPL 2025 but has all the elements in his arsenal to trouble the young opener.