Kamal Ghorui
Punjab Kings produced a breathtaking response to Delhi Capitals’ massive total, with openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh tearing into the attack and rewriting powerplay records in IPL 2026.Chasing a daunting 264 after KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana’s 91 powered Delhi to 264 for 2, Punjab needed a fearless start. What followed was one of the most explosive powerplay displays in IPL history. Arya and Prabhsimran took DC’s bowlers to the cleaners, racing to 100 in just 5.2 overs, the second-fastest team hundred in IPL history. Only Sunrisers Hyderabad have gone quicker, reaching the mark in 5 overs against Delhi at the same venue in 2024.By the end of the powerplay, Punjab had surged to 116 without loss, the second-highest powerplay total ever in the IPL. The opening pair showed no signs of pressure despite the steep chase, attacking from the outset and maintaining a relentless scoring rate.Arya set the tone early with a blistering start, taking the attack to the bowlers in the powerplay. His aggressive intent was matched perfectly by Prabhsimran, who continued his fine form with a stunning assault of his own. The right-hander raced to 71 not out off just 23 balls in the powerplay, registering one of the highest individual scores in overs 1-6 in IPL history.The duo’s approach completely flipped the narrative of the match. What looked like an imposing total quickly began to feel within reach as Delhi’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs. Boundaries came at will, and the field placements were rendered ineffective as both batters found gaps with ease and cleared the ropes regularly.The stand was eventually broken after the powerplay, but not before significant damage had been done. Arya was dismissed for 43 off 17 balls, falling to captain Axar Patel, while Prabhsimran’s explosive innings came to an end on 76 off just 26 deliveries when he was trapped lbw by Kuldeep Yadav.Earlier, Delhi Capitals had dominated proceedings with the bat. Rahul’s 152 not out, the highest score by an Indian in IPL history, and Rana’s 91 came in a record 220-run partnership off just 96 balls. That effort had set up what seemed like a match-winning total.
