IPL 2026, PBKS vs DC Preview: Faltering Punjab Kings eye a reset in the hills

DHARAMSHALA: There are few places in the world where cricket feels quite as dreamlike, and quite as beautiful, as Dharamshala. The noise softens, the air turns lighter, the mountains begin to appear from impossible angles, and suddenly cricket feels less industrial and more elemental.

With the Dhauladhar range standing like a painted wall behind the sightscreen, Punjab Kings would hope the change in altitude also changes the direction of their season when they take on Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium, here on Monday.

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Few venues in world cricket can distract you from the game the way Dharamshala can. The stadium sits in the lap of the mountains, framed by cedar-covered slopes and clouds that drift low enough to almost touch the floodlights. Evening games here carry a slight chill even in May.

This week, the weather has been heavier than usual, the mist hanging around longer through the afternoons, the breeze carrying a nip that belongs more to late autumn than peak IPL season. Rain has been forecast too.

Yet, Dharamshala has rarely denied entertainment. The pitch here has a reputation that players love: pace, carry and enough seam movement to keep fast bowlers interested. The boundaries are invitingly short though, the outfield rapid, and once the ball stops moving, strokeplay opens up beautifully.

IPL games at this venue have often turned into high-scoring evenings. Punjab Kings themselves hammered 236/5 against Lucknow Super Giants here last season, a reminder that even mountain air cannot contain modern T20 hitting.

Punjab Kings arrive needing exactly that freedom again.

Not long ago, they looked the most complete side in the competition. Six wins in their first seven matches had created the impression of a team finally comfortable in its own skin. Then came the slide. Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have all beaten them in succession, exposing small cracks that suddenly appear much larger when defeats pile up.

The timing should worry them more than the defeats. Momentum in T20 cricket can vanish quicker than the sun disappearing behind the Dhauladhar peaks, and Punjab have lost theirs just before the business end of the tournament. The catching in their previous game in Hyderabad was ragged enough to change the course of the game. Arshdeep Singh and the seam attack have leaked runs at uncomfortable phases. Most significantly, the starts from Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have slowed down after carrying Punjab through the first half of the season.