This isn’t just another IPL fixture — it’s a high-stakes, must-win showdown with playoff lives on the line. Punjab Kings, sitting comfortably in 2nd place, have hit a rough patch with three straight losses and can’t afford another slip. Delhi Capitals are in an even darker place — 8th on the table with four wins from 11 games and an elimination hanging over them like a storm cloud. Add the iconic mountain backdrop of Dharamshala and overcast skies favouring pace bowlers, and you’ve got the ingredients for a riveting Monday night thriller.
Table of Contents
PBKS vs DC: Match Info at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | PBKS vs DC — IPL 2026, Match 55 |
| Date & Time | Monday, 11 May 2026 — 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network (TV), JioCinema (OTT) |
| Weather | Overcast, 16°C, humidity ~73% — expect swing! |
IPL 2026 Points Table Snapshot
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 10 | 6 | 3 | 13 | +0.57 |
| Delhi Capitals | 11 | 4 | 7 | 8 | -1.15 |
PBKS have won seven of the last ten home clashes against DC, but three consecutive losses have dented their confidence. DC meanwhile have won only once in their last six outings — and the pressure could not be higher.
Team News & Predicted Playing XIs
Punjab Kings — Shreyas Iyer’s side pack serious batting firepower. Prabhsimran Singh has smashed 364 runs at a blistering strike rate of 172.51, while Cooper Connolly’s 107-run knock against SRH proved his match-winning ability. The concern is the bowling — Arshdeep Singh leads with 11 wickets but leaks at 10.42 runs per over. Yuzvendra Chahal needs to be sharper in the middle overs.
PBKS XI: Shreyas Iyer (c), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal | Impact: Priyansh Arya
Delhi Capitals — Axar Patel’s men desperately need their batting to fire. KL Rahul is DC’s standout with 486 runs this season — third highest in the tournament — but the rest of the middle order has been alarmingly inconsistent. Mitchell Starc is the spearhead but the bowling as a collective has conceded over 10 runs per over across their last five games.
DC XI: Axar Patel (c), KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar | Impact: Kuldeep Yadav
Pitch Report & Toss Tip
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala offers genuine assistance to fast bowlers — the ball swings and seams here, especially under cloudy skies. Teams batting first have won six of the last seven matches at this venue. Average first-innings score this season: 176. Aim for 200+.
Toss Tip: Expect both captains to choose to bat first.
Prediction
PBKS hold the edge — better home record, stronger all-round lineup, and momentum in the crowd. DC must win but their bowling collapse against KKR (142 all out) raises serious doubts. Expect a competitive chase that falls short.
Predicted Winner: Punjab Kings 🏆
How to Watch PBKS vs DC Live
- TV: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports Select
- OTT Streaming: JioCinema (Free for Jio users)
- Live Scores: IPL Official Website | ESPNcricinfo
More IPL 2026 Coverage on TechnoSports
- IPL 2026 Points Table & Updated Standings
- IPL 2026 Schedule: Full Fixture List & Venue Details
- HPCA Stadium Dharamshala: Pitch Report & Records
FAQs
Q: What time does PBKS vs DC start and where can I watch it in India?
The match begins at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, 11 May 2026. You can watch it live on the Star Sports Network on TV, or stream free on JioCinema — no subscription needed for Jio users. A perfect prime-time IPL night in the mountains!
Q: Can Delhi Capitals still qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Yes, but it’s on life support. DC sit 8th with just 8 points from 11 games. They need a win here and rely heavily on other results going their way. Losing this game would mathematically end their playoff campaign — so expect Axar Patel’s men to give absolutely everything at Dharamshala.
