At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the reigning champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), defeated the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a margin of 14 runs. With their fourth IPL 2025 victory, KKR is currently at seventh in the standings. DC is now ranked fourth in the IPL after losing their last two games.
Talking Points
1. The top-order hitters for KKR score runs quickly.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (26 off 12) and Sunil Narine (27 off 16), the KKR openers, scored fast runs to get the powerplay going. Following Gurbaz’s dismissal, the momentum was maintained by captain Ajinkya Rahane (26 off 14). KKR had soared to 79 runs at the end of the powerplay with only one wicket lost.
2. DC bowlers firmly grasp
The DC spinners stopped KKR’s score after the powerplay. During the middle overs, Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam each took two wickets and kept control, which temporarily stopped the run flow.
3. The vital collaboration between Rinku and Raghuvanshi
Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44 off 32) and Rinku Singh (36 off 25) formed a strong partnership for the fifth wicket, scoring 61 runs off 46 balls to enable KKR to a respectable 204. In his spell, Mitchell Starc took three wickets, but it cost him dearly because he let up 43 runs.
4. KKR spinners control DC
The KKR spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2/39) Sunil Narine (3/29), and Anukul Roy (1/27) were instrumental in preventing the DC hitters from scoring runs at will. They kept up the pressure and successfully hampered DC’s pursuit by taking wickets at regular intervals.
5. The efforts of DC hitters are in vain
DC captain Axar Patel added a rapid 43 off 23 after opener Faf du Plessis hit a solid 62 off 45 balls. Although Vipraj Nigam’s late burst of 38 off 19 offered some encouragement, it was insufficient to bring the objective within striking distance. KKR won a vital match, one of the five they need to maintain their playoff aspirations, after DC lost by 14 runs.
Who said What?
Axar Patel, DC (losing captain)
I think how the wicket was and how we bowled in the powerplay, we gave away 15-20 runs too many. We also lost a few wickets in a soft manner. The positive was how we restricted them after the powerplay, coming to the batting, even though few batters failed, 2-3 of us contributed and took it so close. When Vipraj was batting there was hope, if Ashutosh was there then they could have repeated the first game. My skin got peeled off as I dived on the practice wickets to stop the ball, but the good thing is there are 3-4 days break and hopefully I will be able to recover.
Ajinkya Rahane, KKR (winning captain)
(on his injured hand) Not bad. I will be okay. I will be fine. (turning point of the game) After 13 overs, those two overs from Sunil. When he picked those wickets, that was the game for us. 204 on that wicket was good, but frankly I felt we were 15 runs short. Russell one over in between and good support from Anukul and Varun. History at this ground, left-arm spinners have always done well, he has been working hard, but one game at a time, we don’t want to think too far ahead.
That’s always been the talk, when we were not doing well. Take confidence from this game and move forward. He has been a champion bowler for this franchise, he has done well on many occasions. So good to have him and Varun, I can go back to him when we are ion trouble. Coming early to the practice session, bowling hours and hours in the nets, also working on his batting. Dre also working hard on his bowling, he has been bowling good yorkers in the nets. As a team, we can back him. He has been fantastic, whenever he has bowled in this season, he has picked wickets.
Sunil Narine, Player of the Match
It was a total team effort, we started in the middle overs with Anky and Rinku with the bat. I still back myself to come back and deliver for the team. There are games when you start well and struggle and then there are games that you don’t begin well and end well. (on which wicket he enjoyed the most) It’s all wickets, it is not one wicket that I enjoy.
Not the greatest fielder, but it is always good to get a good run-out whenever possible. (on that run-out) Just swing and throw the ball as hard as possible. Self-pride. Always want to be able to give the captain an option of going for you in a pressure situation. If you want to be that player, you have to do the hard work even when there’s no training.
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