The IPL 2026 spotlight shifts to the national capital as Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare to host the high-flying Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 35 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium today, Saturday, April 25, 2026 . This afternoon clash, scheduled for 3:30 PM IST , presents a “David vs. Goliath” narrative: Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament, while Axar Patel's Delhi Capitals are struggling for consistency following a bruising 47-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
With the Head-to-Head record perfectly tied at 16-17, today's result will finally tip the scales in one of the IPL’s most balanced rivalries.
DC vs PBKS Winner And Toss Prediction: Match Details
| Match | Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings, Match 35 |
| Series | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, April 25, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (10:00 AM GMT) |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium has evolved into a batting paradise in recent seasons, but today's 3:30 PM kick-off introduces unique variables. With the afternoon fixture, the intense Delhi heat-forecast to hit 41°C-will ensure the surface remains dry and hard during the first innings, making it ideal for stroke play.However, as the match progresses, the lack of moisture and the absence of dew mean the pitch is likely to slow significantly. Spinners are expected to dominate the middle overs as the dry surface offers more grip and turn than it does during evening games.
DC vs PBKS Winner And Toss Prediction: Probable Playing XIs
Delhi Capitals (DC) Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, Lungi Ngidi.
(Impact Player: Ashutosh Sharma/ D. Chameera)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable XI: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly (subject to fitness), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak.
(Impact Player: Xavier Bartlett/ Nehal Wadhera).
DC vs PBKS Toss Prediction: Match 35, IPL 2026
Toss Prediction: Punjab Kings (PBKS) to win the toss and elect to bat first.
The Logic: Unlike the evening fixtures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where the dew factor makes chasing easier, today's 3:30 PM start changes the tactical landscape completely. In the scorching Delhi heat, the pitch is expected to be at its flattest and hardest during the first innings. As the match progresses into the late afternoon, the surface often slows down, aiding spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
DC vs PBKS Match Prediction: Who Will Win Match 35?
Punjab Kings currently look like a “well-oiled machine.” Their top order has provided explosive starts, while Shreyas Iyer has anchored the middle order with a strike rate of 182.46. Even if Connolly is restricted by his back injury, the depth provided by Marcus Stoinis or Shashank Singh makes them formidable.
On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals are reeling from tactical inconsistencies. Captain Axar Patel has faced scrutiny for under-utilising his premier spinners in recent games. Against a PBKS side that is firing on all cylinders, DC's inconsistent batting, heavily reliant on KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, faces an uphill task against the disciplined bowling of Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett.
DC vs PBKS Winner Prediction, Match 35, IPL 2026: Punjab Kings (PBKS).