IPL 2025: Confusion reigns as stats from abandoned PBKS vs DC clash disappear from official website

The IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, originally played on May 8 in Dharamshala, was abandoned midway due to security concerns. Although the fixture will be replayed on May 24 in Jaipur, the brief action that took place has now sparked a statistical controversy.

Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya gave PBKS a flying start, stitching together a 122-run partnership. Arya scored a fiery 70 off 34 balls before being dismissed by T Natarajan, while Prabhsimran remained unbeaten on 50 from 28 balls. Madhya Pradesh’s Madhav Tiwari also made his T20 debut in that match.

However, the official IPL website has now removed all statistics and video highlights from the Dharamshala game, leaving fans and analysts puzzled.

Prabhsimran’s Orange Cap Dilemma

Before the now-nullified match, Prabhsimran Singh had scored 437 runs in the season. His unbeaten 50 would have taken his tally to 487 — a potential game-changer in the race for the Orange Cap. But with the knock wiped from the record, his tally remains stuck at 437.

This opens up a tricky situation. If the runs are not counted, and he misses the Orange Cap by 49 runs or fewer, the omission could prove controversial. On the flip side, if the stats were to remain, it would mean Prabhsimran played one more innings than others in the league phase — a clear imbalance.

What About Madhav Tiwari’s Debut?

The confusion extends beyond the numbers. Madhav Tiwari’s T20 debut, marked in that match, now hangs in limbo. If the match is considered void, does his cap still count? Or is he yet to officially debut?

Historical Parallels and Unclear Precedents

The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka was played over two days due to rain. While websites like ESPNcricinfo continue to reflect the partial stats from both days, the ICC does not recognize them as part of official records. A similar precedent could play out here — but clarity is still awaited.

So far, the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians (@ACScricket) has not issued a formal opinion on whether performances from the abandoned match should be officially recognized.

As of now, it’s uncertain whether the key contributions of Prabhsimran, Arya, Tiwari, and Natarajan will find a place in IPL’s official record books — fully, partially, or not at all. With the replay scheduled, the IPL has a decision to make — one that could affect player careers and historical stats alike.