IPL 2026 – Madhav Tiwari Guides Delhi Capitals to Vital Victory Over Punjab Kings
IPL 2026 – Delhi Capitals kept their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign alive with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium on Monday, thanks to an impressive all-round effort from young cricketer Madhav Tiwari. The 22-year-old delivered with both bat and ball and was later named Player of the Match after helping his side complete a difficult chase in dramatic fashion.
Madhav Tiwari Delivers Under Pressure
Playing only his second IPL game, Tiwari made a major impact at a crucial stage of the season. He first contributed with the ball by picking up two important wickets and later remained unbeaten during the tense closing moments of the run chase. His quick 18 runs from just eight deliveries helped Delhi Capitals cross the target and stay in contention for a playoff place.
Speaking after the match, Tiwari credited the team environment for helping him settle into the tournament. He said the support from senior players and team management had allowed him to feel comfortable and focus on his natural game. According to him, staying calm and concentrating on the basics played a key role in his performance.
Delhi Capitals Recover After Early Collapse
Chasing a challenging target of 211, Delhi Capitals found themselves under pressure after losing four wickets for 74 runs. Captain Axar Patel then steadied the innings with a counter-attacking knock of 56 from 33 balls. He received strong support from experienced batter David Miller, who struck 51 runs from only 28 deliveries.
The pair added 64 runs quickly and shifted the momentum towards Delhi. Even after both batters departed, the lower order kept the chase alive with aggressive batting. Ashutosh Sharma produced a valuable cameo of 24 from 10 balls, while Tiwari held his nerve in the final overs. Auqib Nabi then finished the game in style with an unbeaten 10 runs from just two balls as Delhi Capitals reached 216/7 in 19 overs.
Punjab Kings Post Strong Total
Earlier in the evening, Punjab Kings posted a competitive 210/5 after an aggressive start from opener Priyansh Arya, who scored 56 off 33 balls. Prabhsimran Singh also contributed positively during the powerplay before captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 from 36 deliveries.
Suryansh Shedge added late momentum with a rapid unbeaten 21-run contribution. Despite the strong batting display from Punjab Kings, Delhi bowlers managed to restrict the scoring during crucial middle overs. Mukesh Kumar bowled with discipline, while Tiwari impressed with figures of 2/40 from his four overs.
Strong Bond With Teammates Helps Tiwari
Tiwari also spoke about his partnership with Ashutosh Sharma during the final overs of the chase. He explained that both players understood the situation clearly and remained relaxed despite the mounting pressure. Having practised and played together before the IPL, the familiarity between them helped maintain confidence during the tense finish.
The young all-rounder revealed that his cricket journey began at the age of 13 after switching schools and starting competitive cricket with a leather ball. Former India cricketer Amay Khurasiya played a significant role in shaping his development. Tiwari admitted that he initially preferred batting and found bowling physically demanding, but his coach encouraged him to work equally hard on both skills.
Young Star Eyes Future With Team India
Reflecting on his long-term ambitions, Tiwari said representing India remains his biggest dream. However, he acknowledged that there is still significant improvement required in his game. He added that learning from experienced players in the IPL will help him become a better cricketer in the future.
He also shared his thoughts on the Dharamsala pitch, describing it as challenging but rewarding for bowlers who maintained disciplined lengths. According to him, consistent bowling in the right areas helped him secure two important wickets.
The result pushed Delhi Capitals to seventh place in the IPL 2026 standings with five victories from 12 matches. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat but continued to hold fourth place in the table despite the setback.