When the IPL returned to its traditional home-and-away format in 2023, Punjab Kings split their home games across three venues: Mohali, Dharamsala and New Chandigarh. Most teams operated out of one, or at most two venues, making it easier to build squads tailored to specific conditions. For Punjab, juggling three bases made that virtually impossible, especially for a side already searching for a distinct identity.

Under the current management New Chandigarh has been established as the primary base, with a squad now aligned to its demands. Today's game was another example of how that clarity is translating into results. From having the worst combined home record in 2023-24 (2 wins in 14), Punjab have improved to 5-3 since 2025, including four wins in seven matches at New Chandigarh.

A key feature of the venue is the premium on winning the Powerplay. Unlike many high-scoring grounds in the IPL, New Chandigarh isn't a batting featherbed. The boundaries are large by tournament standards, and scoring becomes significantly harder once the field spreads. Batters have averaged 37.74 in the Powerplay here since its introduction in IPL in 2024; that figure drops sharply to 20.99 afterwards, the lowest among all venues. The gap of 16.75 runs per wicket between the two phases underlines just how dramatically conditions shift. (Interestingly, Hyderabad, SRH's home venue, is right at the opposite end, telling little change across phases).

That trend is reflected in results. Of the 13 IPL games played here, 10 have been won by the side ahead at the end of the Powerplay (as per DLS par scores), nine of those by margins exceeding 10 runs. Only three matches have been won by teams trailing at that stage: two involving conservative starts to 200-plus chases, and one outlier where Punjab defended 111 against KKR after a dramatic collapse.

Punjab's 93/0 in the Powerplay trailed SRH's 105/0 in absolute terms, but they were effectively ahead by 39 runs on DLS par - a far more accurate reflection of match position at this venue. SRH's Powerplay issues, evident since the season opener, surfaced again. Despite a blazing start, they couldn't sustain momentum. Punjab pulled things back superbly after the field spread, conceding just 114 runs in the final 14 overs at 8.14 per over, a slowdown that left SRH with a below-par total.

The home side's bowlers leaned into the conditions, using the big boundaries and clever changes of pace to choke the middle overs. Heinrich Klaasen's struggles epitomized that squeeze - just two boundaries in a 33-ball stay. In contrast, SRH's seamers lacked a coherent plan, repeatedly missing their lines and lengths and allowing Punjab's batters to dictate terms, despite a commendable effort from their uncapped spin duo.

Punjab's pacers endured a bruising start, conceding 97 in the Powerplay (16.17), but responded brilliantly to pick up 5 for 79 in the remaining overs at just 7.18. SRH's seamers, meanwhile, went wicketless the whole game, leaking 74 in five Powerplay overs and another 69 in five overs after.

Seamers stats

This was, ultimately, a contest between a side that understands how to win at home and one that appears to rely on a one-dimensional template. On a surface that demands adaptability, it was Punjab's clarity and flexibility that made the difference.