Delhi Capitals (DC) signed off their TATA IPL 2026 campaign in style, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 40 runs at Eden Gardens in Match 70. Powered by a blistering half-century from KL Rahul and a match-turning spell from Kuldeep Yadav, DC defended 203/5 to bowl KKR out for 163 in 18.4 overs.

The victory gave Delhi Capitals a third consecutive win to close the season, taking them to 14 points. It was, however, a bittersweet finish, as they ended sixth and outside the playoff places. KKR, whose playoff hopes had already been extinguished by Rajasthan Royals’ win earlier in the day, finished seventh.

After being asked to bat first by Ajinkya Rahane, DC made an enterprising start. Abishek Porel and KL Rahul added 40 for the opening wicket before Saurabh Dubey dismissed Porel for 22 off 18 balls. Rahul then found another willing partner in Sahil Parakh, with the duo putting together 47 runs to keep the momentum going.

Rahul continued his rich vein of form, bringing up a half-century off just 25 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batter dominated the KKR attack with clean hitting and crisp timing, eventually making 60 at a strike rate of 200, including five fours and four sixes. His innings ensured DC maintained control through the first half of the innings.

Captain Axar Patel then anchored the middle overs with a measured 39 off 25 balls before holing out to Varun Chakravarthy. While KKR managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals, they struggled to stem the flow of runs, particularly at the death.

David Miller and Ashutosh Sharma provided the finishing flourish, adding 35 crucial runs late in the innings. Miller’s 28 and Ashutosh’s unbeaten 18 helped DC surge past the 200-mark and finish on 203/5. Kartik Tyagi endured a difficult evening, conceding 55 runs in his four overs.

Audacious and Muscular 💪

Ashutosh Sharma 🤝 David Miller with a fiery finish 💙❤️

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KKR’s chase began positively. Finn Allen and Rahane got the hosts off to a brisk start, adding 43 runs before Lungi Ngidi removed Allen for 20 off 13 balls. Manish Pandey then joined his captain and kept the scoreboard moving, making 25 before also falling to Ngidi.

Even after Cameron Green’s dismissal to Kuldeep Yadav, KKR appeared firmly in control. At 126/3 in 13 overs, with Rahane well set and the asking rate under control, the hosts looked favourites to pull off the chase.

What followed was an astonishing collapse.

Kuldeep, facing his former franchise, triggered the slide with two wickets in successive deliveries. He almost had a hat-trick if not for Porel dropping a catch behind the stumps to send Tejasvi Dahiya packing as well.

The hat-trick was right there! 🤏🥺

So close yet so far for Kuldeep Yadav 🫣

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Suddenly, panic spread through the KKR middle order. Mitchell Starc then ripped through the lower order in a dramatic over that accounted for three wickets, including the dangerous Rovman Powell who was run out.

From 126/3, KKR crumbled to 163 all out, losing their final eight wickets for just 38 runs. Seven wickets fell in the last three overs as DC completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the season.

Rahane fought a lone battle amidst the chaos, but received little support as wickets tumbled around him. Ngidi eventually wrapped up the innings by dismissing Varun Chakravarthy, finishing with impressive figures of 3/27. Starc’s 2/26 and Kuldeep’s match-winning 3/29 completed a superb collective bowling display.

JINX-ing the bowler's plans 😉

Ajinkya Rahane leading from the front in the chase 👊

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Kuldeep was named Player of the Match for the spell that turned the game on its head. For DC, it was a fitting way to end a season that promised much but fell short of the playoffs. For KKR, the collapse from 126/3 to 163 all out served as a painful summary of a campaign that never quite lived up to expectations.

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