DC vs PBKS Match Prediction IPL 2026 Match 35 – Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings Today Match Who Will Win

Saturday's afternoon clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium promises to be one of the most compelling fixtures of IPL 2026 as the Delhi Capitals host Punjab Kings in Match 35. Both teams are battling hard for a coveted top-four finish and have everything to play for with the tournament entering its crucial second half. Delhi, playing on their home turf, will be desperate to use the conditions to their advantage, while Punjab Kings — with their explosive batting order — arrive with the confidence of some big wins behind them.

Delhi Capitals under Axar Patel have been a resilient unit this season. Their bowling attack, which features a fine blend of pace and spin, is well-suited to the Arun Jaitley pitch. The team's home fans are passionate and loud, and that extra push from the crowd could make a real difference in a tight game. Players like David Warner, Tristan Stubbs and Kuldeep Yadav have been in outstanding form and will be eager to deliver on home soil.

Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer, have reinvented themselves as a genuine title contender this year. Their batting depth — running through Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell and beyond — makes them arguably the most dangerous T20 batting side in the competition. Their bowling, led by Arshdeep Singh, has also shown tremendous improvement. Whichever team wins the toss and bats smartly in the afternoon heat at Delhi will have a significant edge in this blockbuster contest.

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Delhi Capitals have shown a mixed but improving run of form in IPL 2026. Their three wins in the last five matches have come by decent margins, which suggests the team is finally clicking as a collective unit after some inconsistency earlier in the tournament. At Arun Jaitley Stadium, DC have a record they are proud of — their home fans create a fortress-like atmosphere that often sways close matches in their favour. The bowling attack, particularly in the powerplay, has been excellent with Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar both taking wickets at the top. Kuldeep Yadav's wrist spin in the middle overs has been a game-changer, making DC a well-rounded side. Their batting has had some wobbles but the arrival of David Warner back to form and the consistent hitting from Tristan Stubbs make them a formidable batting lineup. Delhi will be looking to tighten up their middle-order batting, which has been the only concern in their recent outings.

Punjab Kings have been in terrific form and their four wins in the last five matches speak volumes about how they have come together as a team in 2026. Their batting has been exceptional — they are scoring at over 10 runs per over in the powerplay, and their middle order featuring Glenn Maxwell and Shashank Singh has been utterly explosive. However, Punjab do have a weakness in away matches, where they have dropped points they shouldn't have. Delhi's home advantage could be a crucial factor today. Punjab's bowling remains their slight concern — while Arshdeep Singh is world class, they need their spinners and other pace options to support him. In the dry Delhi conditions, their spinners could be either a weapon or a liability depending on how well they read the pitch.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi has historically been a batsman's paradise in the afternoon session. The pitch is hard and true early on, allowing the ball to come nicely onto the bat, which is excellent for the top order to express themselves freely. Pacers get good carry from this surface, especially in the powerplay when the ball is new and hard. However, as the match progresses into the middle overs, the pitch begins to slow down significantly and the ball starts gripping and turning for the spinners. This dual nature makes the Arun Jaitley pitch one of the most tactical in the IPL.

The average first innings score at this venue in recent IPL matches has been around 170-174. A score of 180+ is considered a very safe target to defend here, while anything below 160 puts the bowling team under considerable pressure. The afternoon start means there will be no dew in the first innings, but as the sun sets and conditions cool slightly in the second innings, there could be some moisture on the outfield. Teams generally prefer to bat first at this venue, and winning the toss could prove decisive. Captains must weigh the pros and cons carefully — the spinners become extremely effective in the second innings if the surface has dried out further by then.

Delhi in late April is hot and dry, and April 25 will be no exception. Temperatures are expected to peak around 37-38°C in the afternoon, making conditions tough for fielders and bowlers alike. The good news for cricket fans is that there is virtually no chance of rain — this will be a full, uninterrupted game. The humidity is relatively low which means the pitch will be dry and pace-friendly early. As the afternoon progresses, a gentle breeze may provide some relief. There will be no dew factor to speak of during the match, given the 3:30 PM start and the dry Delhi air, which should level the playing field between the two innings.

Delhi Capitals (previously known as Delhi Daredevils) lead the all-time head to head record against Punjab Kings with 16 wins to Punjab's 13 from 29 IPL meetings. This slight edge for Delhi reflects their historical strength, though the two sides have been incredibly competitive against each other over the years with many matches going down to the wire.

In recent seasons, the head to head has been much closer and results have often been determined by small margins — the toss, a key wicket at the right time, or a stunning cameo from an unexpected player. When DC and PBKS meet at Arun Jaitley Stadium specifically, Delhi have been particularly dominant. Their home record against Punjab is one of the better ones in the franchise's IPL history. Punjab Kings will be aware of this and know they need to start strongly and not allow Delhi to build momentum, especially in the powerplay. In IPL 2025, both sides split the series 1-1, which shows how evenly matched these teams have become in the modern era.

The toss at Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to be a significant factor in today's match. With an afternoon start at 3:30 PM and no dew forecast, both captains will be aware that the pitch will play true in both innings. Historically at this ground, the team that wins the toss has tended to bat first — and the stats back this up with batting-first sides winning 58% of IPL matches at this venue. However, both captains are shrewd tacticians and may opt to read the pitch conditions on the day before making their final call.

If DC win the toss and bat first: Delhi will look to set a target of 175-185. Warner and Porel need to give them a fast start, and Tristan Stubbs must capitalise in the death overs. With the ball gripping off the dry surface in the second innings, Delhi's spinners — particularly Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel — will be extremely dangerous. The plan will be to get 50+ in the powerplay and accelerate through the middle overs while protecting wickets for the death.

If Punjab win the toss and bat first: Punjab will look to post a massive total above 185+. Their batting depth means they can sustain pressure from any bowling attack. Prabhsimran and Priyansh Arya are capable of taking 50-60 off the first six overs alone. Maxwell and Shashank Singh can add 60-70 in the last five overs. Defending a big total, Punjab will rely on Arshdeep to dismiss DC's openers in the powerplay and Yuzvendra Chahal to choke the middle order.

The X-Factor: The condition of the pitch in the final stages of the match will be crucial. If the surface slows significantly, DC's spin attack becomes almost unplayable. If it stays true, Punjab's batting depth gives them the edge in a chase. The key is the powerplay — whichever team dominates the first six overs is likely to win this match. In high-pressure situations at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi's home advantage and crowd support could be the difference-maker.

After comprehensive analysis of all the factors — home advantage, current form, pitch conditions, head to head record, key player matchups and the weather — our expert prediction for DC vs PBKS IPL 2026 Match 35 is a Delhi Capitals win by 15-20 runs or by 6 wickets. Here is the detailed reasoning behind this prediction.

Home Advantage is Real at Arun Jaitley: Delhi Capitals' home record at Arun Jaitley Stadium is genuinely impressive. The crowd, the familiarity with pitch conditions, and the motivation to perform in front of home fans gives DC a tangible advantage. Delhi's players know exactly how to use this surface — their spinners know where to bowl, their batters know which areas to target, and their fielders are energised by the packed home support. This kind of advantage should not be underestimated in T20 cricket, where momentum and confidence can swing a match in three or four balls.

Kuldeep Yadav is the Match-Winner: On the dry Delhi surface, Kuldeep Yadav will be absolutely devastatingly effective in the middle overs. If he strikes in overs 7-15 and dismisses key Punjab batters like Maxwell and Shashank Singh, Delhi will restrict Punjab to a manageable total. Kuldeep has been the leading wicket-taker across the tournament and his record against attacking middle-order batters is excellent. This is the key factor that tips our prediction in Delhi's favour.

Punjab's Away Record is a Concern: While Punjab Kings have been brilliant in IPL 2026, their record in away matches has been slightly patchy. They have lost matches away from home that they should have won, suggesting their batting collapses more often when they are not playing in familiar conditions. Delhi's pace attack in the powerplay — particularly Khaleel Ahmed's left-arm angle — could expose Punjab's top order and create early pressure.

Potential Match Score: DC batting first — 172/6 in 20 overs. Punjab Kings chase — 153/8 in 20 overs. Delhi win by 19 runs. Alternatively, if Punjab bat first and post 178, Delhi with Warner and Stubbs should chase it down in 19 overs. Either way, the contest is likely to be close and exciting, with the winning margin within 20 runs or within 6 balls of the end. This match has all the ingredients of a classic IPL encounter and cricket fans across India should tune in for every delivery.

Our Confident Prediction: Delhi Capitals to win Match 35. Man of the Match — Kuldeep Yadav (3-4 wickets, bowling DC to victory). Top scorer prediction — David Warner (60+ runs). For Punjab Kings — Prabhsimran Singh to be their best performer with 50+ at the top of the order.