When it comes to iconic and strong matches in the Indian Premier League, most of the fans think of MI vs CSK or RCB vs KKR. However, a less talked about but highly competitive contest has been between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals over the years. Though these teams are yet to win the IPL trophy, known for their fluctuating form and unpredictable performances, these two teams have produced some exciting matches, great moments and rising stars in IPL history. Let us take a deep look at the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals timeline through this blog today.
Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals Head-to-Head Record Overview:
| Category | Punjab Kings | Delhi Capitals |
| Total Matches Played | 34 | 34 |
| Total Wins | 16 | 17 |
| Losses | 17 | 16 |
| Most Wins in a Row | 4 | 3 |
| Tied Matches | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Team Score | 231/4 | 213/6 |
| Lowest Team Score | 104 | 67 |
| Top Scorer | KL Rahul | Shikhar Dhawan |
| Best Bowler | Ankit Rajpoot | Kagiso Rabada |
Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals timeline
Let’s explore more about the rivalries of these two teams from the beginning to the recent season.
2008: The Beginning
In the first IPL season in 2008, Punjab Kings (then called Kings XI Punjab) were led by Yuvraj Singh and Delhi Capitals (then known as Delhi Daredevils) were captained by Virendra Sehwag.
During this season, Punjab won both matches against Delhi and dominated the season and finished in the top four, while Delhi also qualified for the playoffs.
2009: New Ground, New Results
In 2009, the IPL took place in South Africa because there were elections going on in India. In that season, both teams secured one win each in which AB de Villiers gave a good performance for their team, Delhi while Punjab showed signs of struggle.
2010-2013: Delhi Gains Momentum
During this time period, Delhi started winning more matches against Punjab. With their best performers like David Warner, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, Delhi outplayed Punjab multiple times. On the other side, Punjab kept changing captains and did not play consistently.
2014: Punjab’s Peak, Delhi’s Fall
That season was a dream season for Punjab Kings, as they reached the final under the captaincy of George Bailey. Punjab dominated most of their matches and defeated Delhi in both league matches. That season, Delhi finished at the bottom of the table.
2015-2018: Fluctuating Fortunes
Between these seasons, both teams struggled with consistency. Despite having good players in their team, they could not string together winning streaks. Their face-offs during these years were balanced, as each team won alternatively.
In 2018, Delhi Daredevils changed their name to Delhi Capitals, marking a fresh beginning for the team.
One memorable match between these two teams came in 2018, when Punjab defended a low total score with Ankit Rajpoot picking up 5 wickets against Delhi.
2019: Delhi Capitals Revival
After being renamed and with their young players like Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw, Delhi Capitals looked like a very strong team. They qualified for playoffs and beat Punjab in one of their encounters. Punjab too had a decent start in that season but lost streak mid season.
2020: Super Over Thriller
The 2020 IPL season was held in the UAE because of the pandemic. That season, audiences saw one of the most exciting matches in the IPL history between PBKS and DC. The match ended in a tie and then the result was decided by a Super Over.
Eventually, Rabada from Delhi Capitals picked up key wickets in the Super Over and helped DC win a nail biter.
However in the next match, Punjab came back strong and beat Delhi with KL Rahul anchoring the inning brilliantly.
2021: Delhi’s Dominance
In 2021, Delhi looked like a strong team under the coaching of Ricky Ponting and captaincy of Rishabh Pant. Their bowling attack, led by Rabada and Nortje, was arguably the best in the tournament. They easily defeated Punjab in both the league matches, although Punjab could not find the right balance despite KL Rahul in better form.
2022 – A Balanced Fight
After the mega auction in 2022, both teams had new players. Punjab bought players like Liam Livingstone, Shikhar Dhawan, and Rabada, while Delhi retained their core team. The matches were competitive, and both sides won one game each. Livingstone was one of a big performer for Punjab, while David Warner and Kuldeep Yadav played key roles for Delhi.
2023: Prabhsimran Brilliant Inning
IPL season 2023 saw some exciting moments in which in one match, Punjab’s young batsmen Prabhsimran Singh scored a brilliant century against Delhi Capitals. This inning helped Punjab to beat DC and got a strong win.
However DC made a comeback in the second match and won with the strong performance of Mitchell Marsh and the bowlers.
2024: Big Runs, Close Games
The 2024 IPL season had some exciting matches. In one match in Chandigarh, Punjab Kings won the toss from Delhi Capitals and decided to bowl first. DC scored 174 on losing 9 wickets, in return Punjab chased the score, 177/6 and won the match by 4 wickets. Sam Curran from Punjab became the Player of The Match as he scored 63 on 47 balls.
2025 – The Recent Season Rivalry
In the 2025 season, the PBKS vs DC rivalry continued to be close and thrilling. In their first face off during this season, Prabhsimran from PBKS played on 50 not out and Priyansh Arya scored 70 started the match at a good note, but unfortunately the match was abandoned due to some technical issues.
However, In their next match held in Jaipur, Punjab lost against DC in which DC players, Sameer Rizvi and Karun Nair really played a massive inning. Also, their bowlers, Mustafizur, Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav did their best to stop PBKS with a tight bowling. Also Punjab’s overall performance throughout this season was good, they went into finals but lost in their final match against RCB.
Conclusion
The PBKS vs DC timeline shows how both teams have grown, stumbled and risen again in different seasons. Neither team has won the IPL trophy yet but they have given some unforgettable moments to their fans. This matchup has always brought something special to the IPL whether it’s a massive century inning, Super Over or a dramatic comeback.
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