Punjab Kings are gearing up for their first match of the season at their second home venue, the HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala, where they will take on Delhi Capitals in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter on Monday evening.



Ahead of the game, Punjab Kings fast bowling coach James Hopes expressed confidence that the Dharamshala surface would offer significant assistance to pace bowlers, something the team is eagerly looking forward to after playing on flatter pitches in recent matches.



Speaking to the media before the clash, Hopes admitted the team was disappointed with its fielding performance in the previous game, particularly after dropping crucial catches.



“We let ourselves down in the last match with our catching. Had we taken those chances, we probably could have restricted them to around 220 and maybe won the game,” Hopes said.



Despite the setback, the former Australian cricketer insisted the team remains positive and sees the upcoming phase of the tournament as a fresh start.



“No team can go through a two-month tournament without setbacks. It’s just a small hiccup. Our tournament really begins now,” he added.




Dharamshala Pitch Excites PBKS Pacers



Hopes believes the conditions in Dharamshala will suit Punjab’s pace attack because of the extra bounce and sideways movement traditionally available at the venue.



“Historically, this ground favours fast bowlers because there’s a bit more bounce and movement compared to many other venues. The boys are excited because we’ve been playing on very flat wickets recently. Here, they expect the ball to swing and seam a bit more,” he explained.



The coach also hinted that Punjab could tweak their bowling combination for the match, especially with Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai returning to the squad.



“With Azmatullah back, we have the flexibility to adjust our combination and possibly play two spinners while still maintaining our pace strength. We’ll finalise that after discussions tonight,” Hopes said.




Praise for Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer



Hopes also credited head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer for creating a calm and enjoyable atmosphere within the squad despite the pressures of a long tournament.



“They constantly emphasise team-first thinking — preparing properly, sticking to plans, putting in extra effort in the field, and being selfless with both bat and ball. Those small things add up over a season,” he said.



According to Hopes, Ponting and Iyer have helped the team remain relaxed even during difficult moments.



“We understand mistakes happen and things can go wrong in a tournament. What matters is whether we are trying our best and executing plans the right way. Ricky and Shreyas have created a very relaxed environment, and that’s a big reason why the group enjoys being together,” he added.




‘One of the Most Beautiful Grounds in the World’



As Punjab Kings prepare to play the rest of their home matches in Dharamshala, Hopes said the squad always enjoys returning to the scenic venue, which also helps players mentally refresh during the long IPL season.



“The guys love playing here. Our fans in Mullanpur have been incredible this year, and we expect similar support in Dharamshala as well,” he said.



Calling the HPCA Stadium one of the most beautiful cricket venues in the world, Hopes added that the change in surroundings has come at the perfect stage of the tournament.



“It’s a refreshing place to come to during a long season. Hopefully, we can put on a good show tomorrow night and get ourselves back on track,” he said.



Punjab Kings will face Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala on Monday, May 11, with the match scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.