DC vs PBKS Prediction: Openers can give Punjab a flying start

Delhi Capitals host Punjab Kings in Saturday's first IPL match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi (starts 11:00 BST). The Kings narrowly lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in last season's final and they look set to make another bold bid for the trophy in 2026.

Shreyas Iyer's men have won all five of their completed matches this term while hosts Delhi have been less consistent. The Capitals have won three and lost three of their first six games although they claimed an impressive six-wicket victory away to defending champions RCB last week. Read on for my DC vs PBKS predictions.

DC vs PBKS Odds

Punjab Kings have won five out of five in this season's IPL, ignoring their washout against Kolkata, and they are 4/6 to defeat 6/5 hosts Delhi Capitals.

Captain Shreyas Iyer is 11/4 favourite to be Punjab's top batter although 3/1 shot Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, a 7/2 chance, scored 93 and 87 against Lucknow last time out.

Team News

Delhi Capitals have brought in England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for Test opener Ben Duckett. Australia paceman Mitchell Starc is targeting a return to action next week after recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries.

Punjab Kings have used only 12 players in their six matches this season and they should stick with the line-up who thumped Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs last weekend.

Punjab Kings to have highest score in first six overs @ 8/11

Punjab Kings have produced the perfect response to last season's final defeat to RCB, winning all five of their completed matches this term.

Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh are in outstanding form at the top of the Kings' batting order and they should make a faster start than Delhi Capitals on Saturday.

The dashing Arya has caused carnage in the Powerplay overs this season and his 211 runs have come from only 85 balls.

His opening partner Prabhsimran and number three Cooper Connolly also look in great nick and Punjab have posted the highest score in the first six overs in four of their five games this season.

Top home team batter - Sameer Rizvi @ 5/1

Sameer Rizvi was Delhi's hero in last season's league fixture against Punjab Kings, sealing a six-wicket victory with an unbeaten 58 from just 25 balls.

Rizvi started the new campaign with matchwinning knocks of 70 not out against Lucknow and 90 in the home win over Mumbai.

He looks overpriced to top-score for the Capitals on his return to the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The middle-order man was dismissed cheaply against Gujarat, Chennai and RCB but he made a useful contribution in Tuesday's defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Rizvi's 28-ball 41 was the second-highest score of the Delhi innings and he should be backed to lead the Capitals' charge with the bat on Saturday.

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