Fantasy Sports Lineup for Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals; Player-by-Player Analysis for IPL2025

Dinesh Modi 8 May 2025

As the IPL 2025 season enters its most consequential stretch, fantasy cricket fans face a compelling match-up in the form of Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. With playoff qualification scenarios intensifying, both teams are fielding their strongest lineups—setting the stage for a fantasy bonanza. Crafting the perfect Dream11 or fantasy XI will require strategic balance, form-based selection, and pitch-specific insight. Below is a comprehensive, position-by-position breakdown of players, their recent form, fantasy potential, and tactical value based on expected match conditions and team combinations.

Wicketkeepers: Multi-Dimensional Options at the Top and Middle

KL Rahul (Delhi Capitals)
Role: Opening batter, wicketkeeper
Still struggling to hit top gear, but Rahul’s ability to occupy the crease and accumulate points across multiple fantasy categories (batting + wicketkeeping) keeps him in the captaincy conversation. Experts continue to back him because of his T20 pedigree, and this could be the game where he silences critics.
Captain Potential: Yes
Recent Form: Below average but overdue for a breakout

Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab Kings)
Role: Aggressive opener, wicketkeeper
Known for explosive starts, Prabhsimran has quietly become one of PBKS’s more consistent fantasy performers. His fearless approach, especially in powerplays, often delivers quick 30s or 40s that translate well into fantasy formats.
Fantasy Average: 50+ points per match over last 5 games
Recent Highlight: Scored a brisk half-century last week

Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings)
Role: Middle-order wicketkeeper-batter
A steady, under-the-radar contributor. Inglis thrives in chases and high-pressure finishes, and if Prabhsimran or Iyer falter, he’s the man to stabilize the innings. While less flashy, he provides fantasy value as a differential.

Batters: Form, Firepower, and Anchors

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)
Role: Top-order batter, captain
The most bankable batting pick in this fixture. With over 400 runs this season, Iyer is leading from the front with consistency and maturity. He’s both an anchor and aggressor when needed—perfect for accumulating fantasy points in both standard and grand leagues.
Recent Form: In red-hot touch with multiple 40+ scores

Abishek Porel (Delhi Capitals)
Role: Opener
The unsung hero of DC’s lineup, Porel has emerged as a reliable scorer amid top-order instability. His recent form—scores of 73, 43, 57, 18, and 23—makes him an automatic fantasy inclusion.
Recent Form: 214 runs in last five innings

Nehal Wadhera (Punjab Kings)
Role: Middle-order batter
Acts as a sheet anchor in PBKS’s engine room. Wadhera is often tasked with finishing or rebuilding—either way, he logs critical runs in the latter half of the innings. He features in many expert fantasy teams as a value pick.

All-Rounders: Value Picks Across Phases

Marcus Stoinis (Punjab Kings)
Role: Batting all-rounder
Provides dual value through middle-order hitting and part-time seam bowling. With PBKS likely to use him tactically against left-handers and at the death, he could deliver fantasy points in multiple bursts.

Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals)
Role: All-rounder, captain
A go-to fantasy asset. Whether it's breaking partnerships with his left-arm spin or chipping in with vital runs down the order, Axar is always involved. His leadership role adds to his exposure across phases.
Fantasy Note: Especially useful if the Dharamsala surface offers turn

Bowlers: Strike Weapons and Fantasy Differentials

Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals)
Role: Left-arm fast bowler
An elite vice-captaincy option. Starc has a knack for striking early and late, which maximizes his impact. His IPL record against PBKS—7 wickets in 4 games at 13.28 average—makes him a must-pick.
Vice-Captain Potential: Yes
X-Factor: New ball + death overs = fantasy gold

Kuldeep Yadav (Delhi Capitals)
Role: Wrist spinner
Middle-overs disruptor. Kuldeep’s ability to pick up wickets in pairs means he often delivers spikes in fantasy scoring. If PBKS lose early wickets, expect Kuldeep to capitalize.

Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)
Role: Fast bowler
Punjab’s pace spearhead and fourth-highest wicket-taker this season with 16 wickets in 11 matches. His control in the powerplay and effectiveness at the death make him one of the most consistent fantasy earners.
Recent Form: High returns, 2+ wickets in most recent games

Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings)
Role: Seam bowler, lower-order batter
A potential game-changer with his bounce at altitude. Jansen offers contributions with bat and ball, especially on Dharamsala’s pace-friendly surface. Expect him to be a popular differential pick.

T Natarajan (Delhi Capitals)
Role: Left-arm pacer
Reliable and accurate in the final overs. Natarajan tends to pick up late wickets, often boosting his fantasy value in the closing stages of an innings.

Player-by-Player Fantasy Value Table

Player	Team	Role	Fantasy Rationale
KL Rahul (C)	DC	WK/Bat	High ceiling, opens, wicketkeeping points
Prabhsimran Singh	PBKS	WK/Bat	Aggressive opener, quick runs, form pick
Josh Inglis	PBKS	WK/Bat	Middle-order, finishing skills
Shreyas Iyer	PBKS	Bat	In-form, anchor, high fantasy ceiling
Abishek Porel	DC	Bat	Consistent opener, recent big scores
Nehal Wadhera	PBKS	Bat	Middle-order stability, finishing ability
Marcus Stoinis	PBKS	All-rounder	Batting depth, can bowl, multi-phase contributor
Axar Patel	DC	All-rounder	Bat and ball points, captain, always involved
Mitchell Starc (VC)	DC	Bowler	Wicket-taker, great record vs PBKS, death overs
Kuldeep Yadav	DC	Bowler	Middle overs, wicket-taking potential
Arshdeep Singh	PBKS	Bowler	Powerplay/death, consistent wickets
Marco Jansen	PBKS	Bowler/All-rounder	Bounce at Dharamsala, lower-order hitting
T Natarajan	DC	Bowler	Death overs, wicket-taking ability

Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Captain Choices:

KL Rahul – High ceiling despite patchy form, double point potential

Shreyas Iyer – In-form, anchors innings, consistent contributor

Vice-Captain Choices:

Mitchell Starc – Strike weapon, especially valuable in Dharamsala’s seamer-friendly conditions

Arshdeep Singh – A guaranteed wicket-taker with strong powerplay returns

Grand League Differentials

Tristan Stubbs (DC): Lower-order hitter with six-hitting ability—perfect for closing overs

Ashutosh Sharma (DC): If selected, offers explosive batting in pressure situations

Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS): Not in every XI, but match-up dependent and dangerous if the pitch turns

Pitch Report & Fantasy Strategy

Surface: Dharamsala is known for its pace and bounce. Seamers who hit the deck hard—like Starc and Arshdeep—can extract movement.
Batting Trends: Recent matches have seen high scores; top-order batters and finishers should be prioritized.
Team Construction Tip: Stack your XI with strike bowlers, powerplay batters, and utility all-rounders. Leave room for one differential based on toss and pitch report.