Hand-picked stories you can't miss

Purani Dilli 6 will kick off their Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 campaign with a clash against Central Delhi Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Friday, July 31. After an underwhelming campaign last season, Purani Dilli will be eager to make a strong start and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
The side will be led by experienced wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat, who brings plenty of domestic and IPL experience to the table. Alongside him, the team boasts a good blend of dependable batters, versatile all-rounders, and quality bowlers capable of making an impact in Delhi conditions.
The Central Delhi Kings will be hoping to go one step forward during the 2026 season after they were beaten in the final by the West Delhi Lions last time around. They ended the regular season at the top of the standings, with seven wins and two defeats under their belt.
Here’s a look at Purani Dilli 6’s predicted playing XI for their opening fixture.
Captain Anuj Rawat is expected to open the innings while also taking up wicketkeeping duties. The left-handed batter has established himself as a reliable performer in domestic T20 cricket and will be keen to lead from the front. His ability to score quickly during the powerplay could give Purani Dilli the ideal start.
He is likely to be partnered by Samarth Seth, who can play the role of an aggressor at the top. Seth’s attacking approach could complement Rawat well, allowing the pair to capitalize on the fielding restrictions.
Prince Mishra is expected to slot in at No. 3. A technically sound batter, he can anchor the innings if early wickets fall while also accelerating when required.
The middle order will revolve around experienced all-rounder Lalit Yadav, who is expected to be one of Purani Dilli’s key players this season. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset, especially in pressure situations.
Yug Gupta is likely to provide stability in the middle overs and can play according to the match situation. His role will be crucial if the top order fails to deliver.
Rohan Rana adds further batting depth and is capable of playing impactful cameos during the death overs. Meanwhile, Dev Lakra is another utility cricketer who strengthens the lower middle order and offers an additional bowling option if required.
Purani Dilli possesses a balanced bowling attack led by Digvesh Singh Rathi, whose variations could prove effective on the Arun Jaitley Stadium surface.
Udhav Mohan is expected to share the workload with the new ball and provide crucial breakthroughs during the powerplay.
Rajneesh Dadar offers another pace option and could be entrusted with bowling during the middle and death overs.
Completing the attack is Pankaj Jaswal, an experienced seam-bowling all-rounder known for his ability to swing the new ball and contribute valuable runs down the order. His experience could play a significant role in helping Purani Dilli begin their DPL 2026 campaign on a positive note.
Predicted XI for Central Delhi Kings vs Purani Delhi 6:
The Central Delhi Kings will heavily rely on their top order to come good during the 2026 Delhi Premier League. Last year, their two highest run-getters were captain Yash Dhull and Yugal Saini. Dhull went on to score 435 runs from nine innings at a strike-rate of 167.31 with two centuries to his name. Saini, on the other hand, hit 313 from 11 outings whilst striking at just shy of 140. Vedant Sehwag, meanwhile, comes in with a lot of promise thanks to his father, Virender.
The Central Delhi Kings have a strong middle order with run-scorers up and down the order. Jonty Sidhu scored 249 runs last season at an average of 31.13 and a strike rate of 145.61. He would be joined by the likes of Vansh Bedi, Keshav Dobas and Tejas Baroka to complete the middle order. Bedi was once picked in the auction by the Chennai Super Kings. Though he did not get a game in the IPL, there is surely some talent there for the Kings to utilise. Barolka is a handy bowler to have as well, having taken 12 wickets from 10 matches last season, at an economy rate of 6.18.
Kuldip Yadav will lead the Central Delhi Kings’ bowling attack. The 29-year-old has two IPL appearances under his belt, representing the Rajasthan Royals during the 2023 season, which included the prized wicket of Glenn Phillips against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Money Grewal will want to carry his form from last season, where he ended as the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 20 scalps from 11 outings.
Central Delhi Kings: Yash Dhull (C), Yugal Saini, Vedant Sehwag, Jonty Sidhu, Vansh Bedi (WK), Keshav Dabas, Tejas Baroka, Kuldip Yadav, Money Grewal, Divij Mehra, Aayush Kumar
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the Delhi Premier League.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the DPL.
When and where will the Central Delhi Kings vs Purani Delhi 6 match be played?
The match will take place on July 31, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, starting at 9:00 PM (IST).
Which players could make a difference in this clash?
For the Central Delhi Kings, Yash Dhull and Kuldip Yadav will be key.
Which team has the edge going into this game?
Based on last year’s form, the Central Delhi Kings should have an advantage over their opponents.
cricket
cricket
cricket