The last time Punjab Kings took on Delhi Capitals, the game ended in an unprecedented manner due to unforeseen circumstances. Shreyas Iyer's men were in pole position to put up a monstrous total that could have guaranteed them two points. The good news for PBKS is that those points weren't shared and they have a rematch to claim it. The bad news is that the kind of momentum they gained that day against DC doesn't come every day, particularly when you contrast the conditions on offer from Dharamsala to Jaipur.
A lot has changed, however, since that fixture on May 8. For instance, the Capitals were a playoffs contender at that point but have now been eliminated after their loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. With all the playoffs spots sealed, the question that remains is around which teams will lock the coveted top-two spots. On form and the brand of cricket that they have played, PBKS will feel that they deserve to be one of those teams but even a win against DC might not be enough to assure that. Ultimately, a lot of it could all boil down to the PBKS-MI clash, which would be the season's penultimate game.
However, that is for later as the Kings would need to tick the first box, which is to get past a DC side that might feel liberated from the pressures of contesting for a playoffs berth. That pressure certainly told on them at the Wankhede where they lost the plot after making a strong start to the game. Skipper Axar Patel's absence was also a major factor but even then, DC had the chance to get the job done. Despite having a squad filled with talent, they have had an inconsistent season but with nothing to lose, they could upset Punjab's party plans in Jaipur. PBKS' batting approach and the depth that they have in power-hitting is unmatched this season and it will once again be their USP in this clash.
DC's bowlers might still be reeling from the insane finish that Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir provided on an unusually tricky Wankhede surface. They'll need to be on their money because this PBKS batting line up has already decimated many a bowling attack this season. With all their overseas contingent now available, the Kings look primed to pocket the two points in Jaipur but Delhi would dearly love to put a spanner in the works of their northern neighbours.