Shreyas Iyer (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: A win over Delhi Capitals would take Punjab Kings to the top of the IPL 2026 points table. However, it was not to be as Punjab Kings slumped to their fourth straight defeat of the season as they lost by three wickets against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala.The frustration and disappointment was clearly visible on Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s face during the post-match presentation.
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Jamie Overton opens up on CSK’s comeback and bowling roleAsked to bat first by Delhi Capitals, Priyansh Arya smashed six sixes during his whirlwind 33-ball 56 before the DC pacers smartly adjusted their length to restrict Punjab Kings to 210/5.In response, aggressive half-centuries from David Miller (51 off 28) and skipper Axar Patel (56 off 30) propelled Delhi Capitals to 211/7 in 19 overs – the most successful chase at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.“(Where it went wrong) I’m not going to beat around the bush, I’m just going to say field and bowl again,” Iyer said after the match.“(If he thought 210 was a good score) Absolutely, I feel it was 30 runs more on that wicket with the way the ball was seamed and there was a variable bounce,” he said.“(On Chahal’s bowling) I had an absolute idea in my head, but the way the ball was seaming and the way it was helping the seeders, I think if we executed our line and length correctly, we might have been able to take wickets but unfortunately we didn’t do that again,” Iyer added.The PBKS captain explained the ideal bowling strategy at the Dharamsala pitch:“(On how he bowls here) Always to the surface. I always say that a hard length – short of a hard length – is the best ball, especially when a new batsman comes in. It’s not easy to hit because when you keep repeating those balls, at least one ball gives you a chance to mishit and you can get a wicket. We lacked planning,” Iyer said.The win helped Delhi Capitals move to seventh in the IPL 2026 standings. DC have now played 12 matches, winning five and losing seven, with 10 points and a net rate of -0.993.Despite the loss, Punjab Kings remain fourth in the table with 13 points from 11 matches, with six wins and four defeats, with one match ending in a draw. Their net run rate is +0.428.Punjab Kings next face Mumbai Indians on May 14.
