Match Stopped Amid Tensions Between India And Pakistan! News24 –

As the IPL 2025 season nears its business end, Delhi Capitals find themselves on the brink of a must-win scenario in the fight for a playoff berth. A timely rain interruption in Hyderabad spared them from a potential defeat, allowing them to sneak away with a vital point and move to fifth on the table with 13 points. However, with three losses and one abandoned match in their last five outings, time is running out for Delhi to halt their slide.

All roads lead to the 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐲 ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/TZtNwpC5Bb

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 8, 2025

The team’s campaign has been a rollercoaster. After opening with four straight wins, Delhi have struggled to maintain momentum—largely due to the misfiring batting order. Karun Nair, despite a promising return in Delhi, has not capitalised on that form. KL Rahul’s output has noticeably dipped in the second leg of the tournament, Abhishek Porel has shown flashes of aggression but lacked consistency, and Faf du Plessis has battled through fitness concerns, missing key moments.

Their collapse against Sunrisers Hyderabad was symptomatic of the struggles. On a bowler-friendly surface, the top order crumbled to 29 for 5 before the lower-order salvaged some pride, eventually posting a total of 133 – well below the par score.

In stark contrast, Punjab Kings have found rhythm at the right time, thanks largely to their top order. Prabhsimran Singh (437 runs) and young gun Priyansh Arya (347) have repeatedly laid solid foundations, which have been expertly built upon by captain Shreyas Iyer (405) and finishers Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh. In the batting-friendly conditions of Dharamsala, that firepower could prove decisive.

Punjab’s recent triumph at their adopted home ground saw them thrash Lucknow Super Giants after racking up a mammoth 236 – their first victory at Dharamsala since 2013. With Delhi reeling and confidence low, PBKS have the perfect opportunity to lock in a playoff spot and even challenge for a top-two finish. Delhi, on the other hand, remain in the playoff mix but cannot afford any more missteps.

However, uncertainty hangs over fixtures in the region due to the geopolitical fallout from Operation Sindoor. The military operation has impacted the functioning of airports in and around Dharamsala, creating logistical concerns for teams traveling to the venue. Despite this, Thursday’s match is expected to proceed as planned.

With so much riding on the outcome, both teams have everything to play for Punjab looking to seal their playoff fate, and Delhi fighting to keep theirs alive.