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DC vs KKR, IPL 2026 Match Highlights: Kuldeep Yadav Stars as Delhi Capitals Beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 40 Runs
A brilliant spell from Kuldeep Yadav helped Delhi Capitals register a convincing 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the 70th match of the IPL at Eden Gardens on Sunday.
With the league stage now complete, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals sealed playoff spots after emerging as the most consistent sides this season.
With the league stage now complete, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals sealed playoff spots after emerging as the most consistent sides this season.
Defending a strong total of 203/5, Delhi faced an aggressive start from KKR, but Kuldeep’s superb middle-over spell turned the contest completely in the visitors’ favour.
Chasing 204, KKR started brightly through Finn Allen and Manish Pandey, who attacked the new ball and kept the scoreboard moving quickly. Allen scored 20 off 13 balls, while Pandey added a quickfire 25 from 16 deliveries before Delhi struck back through disciplined bowling from Lungi Ngidi and Mitchell Starc.
Chasing 204, KKR started brightly through Finn Allen and Manish Pandey, who attacked the new ball and kept the scoreboard moving quickly. Allen scored 20 off 13 balls, while Pandey added a quickfire 25 from 16 deliveries before Delhi struck back through disciplined bowling from Lungi Ngidi and Mitchell Starc.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane then anchored the chase with a fluent 63 off 39 balls. Rahane mixed caution with aggression, smashing four boundaries and four sixes while keeping the required rate under control.
However, the game changed dramatically once Kuldeep entered the attack. The left-arm wrist-spinner dismissed Rahane with a cleverly disguised delivery that resulted in a mistimed shot to David Miller. He then removed Cameron Green for 2 and sent Rinku Singh back for a golden duck, triggering a collapse in the KKR middle order.
However, the game changed dramatically once Kuldeep entered the attack. The left-arm wrist-spinner dismissed Rahane with a cleverly disguised delivery that resulted in a mistimed shot to David Miller. He then removed Cameron Green for 2 and sent Rinku Singh back for a golden duck, triggering a collapse in the KKR middle order.
Kuldeep nearly claimed a hat-trick as well, but a chance off Tejasvi Dahiya was dropped behind the stumps by Abishek Porel.
Rovman Powell tried to revive the chase with a quick 29 off 21 balls, but his innings ended with a sharp run-out orchestrated by Sameer Rizvi, effectively ending KKR’s hopes.
Rovman Powell tried to revive the chase with a quick 29 off 21 balls, but his innings ended with a sharp run-out orchestrated by Sameer Rizvi, effectively ending KKR’s hopes.
Delhi’s pace attack then wrapped up the innings as Starc and Ngidi cleaned up the tail. KKR were eventually bowled out for 163 in 18.4 overs, with Ngidi dismissing Varun Chakaravarthy to complete the win.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals posted an imposing 203/5 after an explosive batting display led by KL Rahul.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals posted an imposing 203/5 after an explosive batting display led by KL Rahul.
Abishek Porel provided an aggressive start and survived an early chance before Rahul took complete control of the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 60 off just 30 balls, hammering five fours and four sixes in a stunning display of strokeplay.
Rahul found strong support from Delhi skipper Axar Patel, who contributed 39 off 25 deliveries and maintained the momentum through the middle overs.
KKR bowlers Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Anukul Roy managed to pull things back briefly with timely wickets, but Delhi finished strongly thanks to late hitting from David Miller and Ashutosh Sharma.
KKR bowlers Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Anukul Roy managed to pull things back briefly with timely wickets, but Delhi finished strongly thanks to late hitting from David Miller and Ashutosh Sharma.
Miller scored a brisk 28 off 19 balls, including two massive sixes in the 19th over, helping Delhi cross the 200-run mark.
In the end, Kuldeep’s match-winning spell proved to be the decisive factor as Delhi turned a potentially tricky contest into a comfortable victory under the lights in Kolkata.
In the end, Kuldeep’s match-winning spell proved to be the decisive factor as Delhi turned a potentially tricky contest into a comfortable victory under the lights in Kolkata.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals 203/5 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 60, Axar Patel 39, David Miller 28; Saurabh Dubey 2/28)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163 all out in 18.4 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 63, Rovman Powell 29, Manish Pandey 25; Kuldeep Yadav 3/29, Lungi Ngidi 3/27, Mitchell Starc 2/26)
Delhi Capitals 203/5 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 60, Axar Patel 39, David Miller 28; Saurabh Dubey 2/28)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163 all out in 18.4 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 63, Rovman Powell 29, Manish Pandey 25; Kuldeep Yadav 3/29, Lungi Ngidi 3/27, Mitchell Starc 2/26)
Result: Delhi Capitals won by 40 runs.
