Delhi Premier League 2026: Match 13 Preview – New Delhi Tigers vs Purani Dilli 6

Date: August 6, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM IST (14:30 GMT)
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Tournament: Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026

The third edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) reaches a pivotal juncture on Thursday evening as the New Delhi Tigers (NDT) host Purani Dilli 6 (PD) in Match 13. With both franchises currently sitting on identical records of one win and two losses, this contest is effectively a "must-win" game for either side hoping to secure a playoff berth in the points race.

Match Context: A Battle for Momentum

Both teams arrive at the Arun Jaitley Stadium looking to erase the memory of recent setbacks.

• New Delhi Tigers: The Tigers are reeling from a heartbreaking defeat in their last outing, where they lost to the Outer Delhi Warriors in a dramatic Super Over. Despite posting competitive scores, their inability to close out tight games has stalled their progress. They sit fourth on the table and need a victory to climb above the struggling South Delhi Superstarz.
• Purani Dilli 6: The visitors face a similar predicament after suffering a heavy nine-wicket loss to the formidable Central Delhi Kings in a rain-curtailed match. Their batting lineup, usually led by the prolific Anuj Rawat, failed to cope with the pressure in their last fixture. A win here is essential to arrest their slide and regain confidence.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record slightly favors the Tigers, though the sample size is small.

• Total Matches: 1
• New Delhi Tigers: 1 Win
• Purani Dilli 6: 0 Wins
• Last Meeting: August 8, 2025 (NDT won)

The Tigers hold the psychological edge, having defeated the Dilli 6 franchise in their only previous encounter.

Key Player Battles

1. Anuj Rawat (PD) vs. Manish Sehrawat (NDT)

This is the marquee battle of the match. Anuj Rawat, the captain of Purani Dilli 6, has been the tournament's standout batter so far, amassing 159 runs in three matches, including a massive unbeaten 105 and a 49. However, he stumbled in the last game. Manish Sehrawat, a key bowler for the Tigers, is the man to contain him. Sehrawat has been in sublime form, taking 4 wickets for just 18 runs in their previous meeting. Rawat's ability to bounce back against his nemesis will likely decide the match.

2. Lakshay Thareja (NDT) vs. Rajneesh Dadar (PD)

The Tigers need a strong start to build a competitive total. Lakshay Thareja has been the backbone of their batting, scoring 153 runs in three games. He will face a stiff challenge from Rajneesh Dadar, who has claimed 3 wickets in the tournament and will be looking to disrupt the Tigers' top order early.

3. Hrithik Shokeen (NDT) vs. The PD Middle Order

The Tigers' bowling attack is their strongest asset, led by the right-arm off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen. With 4 wickets at an incredible economy rate of 6.30, Shokeen could be the match-winner on a pitch that offers turn in the middle overs. He will test the resolve of the Purani Dilli 6 middle order, which has shown fragility in high-pressure situations.

Venue Analysis: Arun Jaitley Stadium

The Arun Jaitley Stadium has proven to be a batter's paradise in the 2026 edition.

• Pitch Conditions: The surface offers true bounce and small boundaries, encouraging aggressive stroke-play. Four teams have already crossed the 200-run mark in the first ten matches.
• Dew Factor: As this is an evening match (7:00 PM IST), dew is expected to play a significant role in the second innings, making batting easier and bowling more difficult for the team fielding second.
• Toss Strategy: Given the recent trend of high scores and the dew factor, the winning captain will almost certainly opt to bowl first. Chasing has been more fruitful in this tournament, with teams successfully defending targets rarely.

Probable Playing XIs

New Delhi Tigers (NDT)

• Top Order: Tanuj Pawar, Lakshay Thareja, Shivam Gupta (WK)
• Middle Order: Himmat Singh (C), Hrithik Shokeen, Aryan Sharma, Vaibhav Rawal
• All-Rounders/Lower Order: Manish Sehrawat, Yashjeet, Pradyuman Sanan
• Bowlers: Laxman, Rishabh Sharma

Purani Dilli 6 (PD)

• Top Order: Aryan Gaur, Samarth Seth, Dev Lakra
• Middle Order: Anuj Rawat (C & WK), Lalit Yadav, Ashwini Chillar
• All-Rounders/Lower Order: Rohan Rathi, Pankaj Jaswal, Prince Mishra
• Bowlers: Digvesh Singh Rathi, Rajneesh Dadar

Prediction and Verdict

While Purani Dilli 6 possesses a match-winning batter in Anuj Rawat, the New Delhi Tigers enter this clash with a more balanced and potent bowling attack. The Tigers' trio of Shokeen, Sehrawat, and Pradyuman Sanan (each with 4 wickets) provides greater depth compared to the Dilli 6 bowling lineup.

Furthermore, the Tigers' batting lineup features multiple players in form (Thareja, Himmat Singh), whereas Purani Dilli 6 has been overly reliant on Rawat, with the rest of the lineup contributing minimally. If the Tigers can restrict Rawat and utilize the dew factor to chase a total, they are the favorites.

Final Prediction: New Delhi Tigers to win.

• Win Probability: NDT (55%) vs PD (45%)
• Key Factor: The Tigers' superior bowling depth and the chasing advantage in evening conditions.

Note: This preview is based on current form, statistics, and venue analysis. Cricket matches can be unpredictable, and on-field conditions on the day may alter outcomes.