After a decade of struggles, Punjab Kings are scripting a new success story. When they face Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Saturday, their eyes will be set on securing a place in the top two for the first time in 11 years. The last time Punjab topped the league table was in the 2014 season, but they lost in the final. In the 18-year history of the league, Punjab has reached the playoffs only once more. Now, after ending an 11-year wait, their aim is not just to finish in the top two but also to reach another final and win their maiden title.
Punjab Kings’ confidence has been further boosted by the return of their overseas players — Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, and Kyle Jamieson — who joined the team three days ago. All four are available for selection against Delhi Capitals. These players had returned to their countries after the league was paused for a week due to military tensions between India and Pakistan. The previous match between Punjab and Delhi on May 8 in Dharamsala was abandoned midway through the first innings.
Sawai Mansingh Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Sawai Mansingh Stadium has been favourable for batters this season. It offers good support to batters, suggesting that the Punjab vs Delhi match could be a high-scoring affair. The pitch provides consistent pace and bounce early on, which helps fast bowlers, while spinners usually get some assistance during the middle overs.
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So far, 62 IPL matches have been played at this Jaipur venue — the team batting first has won 23 times, while the team batting second has won 39 times. Hence, the team winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.