Match 66 of the IPL 2025 season between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) saw two notable absences that stirred curiosity among fans. All-rounder Axar Patel and veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, both key players for their respective sides, were not part of the playing elevens, raising questions about the reasons behind their omission from such a crucial encounter.
For Delhi Capitals, the absence of Axar Patel came as a significant setback. The experienced all-rounder, who had been leading the team in the latter half of the season following the unavailability of their original captain, was ruled out due to illness. Axar had already missed the previous game and was expected to return for this match. However, he continued to suffer from flu symptoms, which prevented him from taking the field. The team management decided not to risk aggravating his condition, especially since the Capitals had already been eliminated from the playoff race.
Without Axar, Delhi Capitals were not just missing a key player but also their captain and one of the most balanced contributors with both bat and ball. His calm demeanor and ability to perform under pressure have often helped Delhi maintain stability in the middle order and apply pressure with the ball during crucial overs. With him out of the side, leadership duties were handed to Faf du Plessis, who had been brought in as a senior figure to support the young team.
Meanwhile, PBKS surprised many by not including Yuzvendra Chahal in their playing XI. Chahal, known for his tactical leg-spin and vast IPL experience, was expected to play a pivotal role in the match. However, the team made a tactical decision to bench him, possibly with an eye on managing workload or testing alternate combinations ahead of the playoffs. His exclusion was not due to injury or illness, as there were no indications of any fitness concerns.
Instead, PBKS opted to bring back Marcus Stoinis into the lineup. The Australian all-rounder had recently returned to the squad after dealing with personal commitments and was seen as a valuable addition with both bat and ball. This move hinted at PBKS intent to solidify their batting depth while still retaining enough bowling options. Stoinis’ versatility provided flexibility in the middle order and a medium-pace option, which may have aligned better with the team’s match strategy against Delhi.
It’s also possible that team conditions and pitch behavior influenced the call to rest Chahal. Spin-friendly conditions typically make him a first-choice pick, but if the team assessed that the surface favored pace or required a different bowling approach, they may have chosen to keep him out with a view to the upcoming knockout matches.