DC vs KKR Highlights, IPL 2026: Finn Allen 100 fires Kolkata to 8-wicket win over Delhi

A cracking weekend awaits - The race for the playoffs is about to get more and more intense as the weekend approaches. Saturday, 9th May, takes us to the Pink City as Rajasthan Royals, who will take the field after a long break, and take on their neighbours, Gujarat Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium of Jaipur. The first ball of that game is scheduled to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). But our buildup, as usual, begins well in advance. So mark your presence for that as well. Until then, we sign off, only to meet again the next time. Cheers.

One-sided contest at Kotla - Not a nail-biter by any stretch, but KKR would have preferred a smoother ride nonetheless in this modest run chase. They have a five-day break now before they face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur, on Wednesday, 13th May. As far as the Delhi Capitals are concerned, they have a lot of soul-searching to do before they turn up for their next assignment. They take a trip to Dharamsala to challenge the Punjab Kings on Monday. 11th May and would like to get back to winning ways.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Unarguably, KKR's FINN ALLEN receives the award for his match-winning 100 (47)*. On whether he gave himself a bit more time in the middle, Allen shares that he was working on adding more strengths to his game. He adds that with a couple of early wickets gone, he felt the responsibility to dig in and get the win for the team. On how he paced his innings, Allen details that he simply tried to knuckle down carefully, pointing out that it was still challenging early on with Axar bowling really well and keeping them restricted. He shares that the focus was on getting into strong positions and batting deep. When asked about how he hits so many sixes easily, Allen admits it is something he has been actively working on. Shares that he knew he was getting starts but was unable to convert them. Details that he worked closely with Shane Watson and Abhishek Nayar, giving himself every chance to make it count, and adds that it feels good to finally have a personal success. On how difficult it was to pace an innings like this, Allen says he was simply playing according to the situation. Adds that there are moments where you have to forget about your own batting and focus on what the game demands.

The captain of Kolkata Knight Riders - Ajinkya Rahane says that he is really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling in the first few games, but kept training hard, and it paid off. Praises his bowlers for their performance. Says the way Narine, Roy, and Varun controlled the middle overs, it was amazing to see. Rahane mentions that he feels lucky as a captain to have bowlers like Narine and Varun. You just have to leave them alone and do their thing. Sunil is someone who is always willing to learn in the sessions and share his experiences and whenever called upon, he is always ready to bowl. Reckons they played well in the first five games, but it is all about winning the small moments. Jinx credits the bowling coaches who have been working very hard with the bowlers. He is happy for Anukul, who had a fine domestic season, Tyagi is also doing a fine job. Says that Varun is fine, as long as he is bowling, he is happy. Ends by saying that they are taking one game at a time.

... Time for the post-match Presentation ...

KKR's star all-rounder - Cameron Green calls Allen's knock something truly special, adding that his own job was made easy at the other end. He shares that he was simply playing second fiddle throughout. On the chat between the two during the partnership, Green laughs and says there was not much to it, just talking about seeing each other at the end of the over. About whether they were calculating towards the end to get Allen to his hundred, Green admits the calculations did start, though he clarifies it was him doing the math rather than both of them. He adds with a smile that he will give Allen full credit for getting there. On the most pleasing aspect of the night, Green says winning is the obvious answer and that it has been thoroughly satisfying. Points to the bowlers performing well throughout the competition, singling out Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy as particularly impressive, adding that the rest of the group are just chipping in around them. On whether things are falling into place for a playoff push, Green admits you simply cannot look that far ahead. He adds that the focus is on winning every game, one at a time, and nothing beyond that.

The captain of Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that they were short of runs, but the spinners also did not execute their plans well. Adds that they lost around 5 wickets in 5 overs while batting, that's where they lost the momentum. Mentions that when he and Ashutosh were batting, they thought to just take time as it was not easy to bat for the new batters and the others also need to apply this when wickets fall in clusters. Says that they will go back and plan on how to go about things in the upcoming games, and give some of the players on the bench a chance.

Spinners script KKR's control - The mystery surrounding this surface was flagged at the pitch report, and it lived up to the billing. Decent for batting early, it gradually turned into a paradise for slower bowlers and pacers with variations. Pathum Nissanka gave Delhi a flying start with a fluent half-century, but KKR's spinners took a stranglehold through the middle overs, choking the scoring and picking up regular wickets in the middle phase. Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma attempted a rebuild but found boundaries hard to come by. Ashutosh did manage to break free momentarily, taking Varun Chakaravarthy for 16 in one over, but Tyagi shut the door with a miserly three-run 20th over. A largely disciplined effort from Kolkata, with their spinners doing the heavy lifting right through the middle.

The difference maker - KKR's spinners kept the batters on a leash with controlled lines and lengths through the middle overs, while DC's spinners offered far too many slot balls that Allen punished at will and ease. That contrast in the middle phase ultimately proved to be the difference. KKR were tight and disciplined between overs 7 and 15, while DC leaked runs, lacked penetration and never quite managed to build any meaningful pressure.

The Finn Allen show - Two strange dismissals threatened to derail KKR's chase of a modest total. Rahane had given them a bright start before being run out at the non-striker's end, and Raghuvanshi never spotted the ball trickling back into his stumps off an attempted sweep. Just like that, the pressure landed squarely on Allen and Green. The two responded with composure, allying for an unbeaten 116-run stand that steadied the ship and put the game to bed far early. Allen, with 2 needed, smashed a six to complete his century and finished things off in a poetic way.

Dreams fading gradually - Things have gotten increasingly complicated for the Delhi Capitals now. A seventh defeat sends them sliding down to eighth in the standings, and the road ahead looks anything but straightforward. They started the tournament decently enough, but the last six matches have been a complete downward spiral, managing just the one win in that stretch. They have three games left, and winning all of them is now a non-negotiable for them. And even if they do manage to win, they will surely need favors from the other teams as well.

KKR stroll past DC at Kotla - Smiles all around in the KKR camp, and why not? Finn Allen took it upon himself to get the job done, and he did it in some style. FYI, he was 20 off 17 balls at one stage. In the next 30 balls, he smashed 80 runs, which included an effortless display of six-hitting. This is KKR's fourth consecutive win, and they are making a serious late charge in the tournament, now pretty much visible in the rearview mirror of the teams at the top. Of course, still a long way to go for them but this has been some comeback.

14.2: Mukesh Kumar to Finn Allen, SIX! HUNDRED FOR FINN ALLEN! He finishes the game off in style and, in doing so, gets to an incredible 47-ball century. Mukesh Kumar bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Allen gets on top of the bounce and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. All smiles in the Kolkata camp, with everyone appreciating Allen's knock, even the DC players. KKR WIN BY 8 WICKETS, with 34 balls to spare!

14.1: Mukesh Kumar to Cameron Green, Back of a length and around leg, Cameron Green nudges it through square leg for a single. Allen gets another chance to reach his century. KKR 2 runs away from the win!

Possibly the last over of the match then. KKR need just 3 runs to win. Allen, who is off strike, needs 6 to get to his century. Mukesh Kumar is introduced into the attack.

13.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, He tries it but fails to execute it! Shortish and around middle, Finn Allen rocks back to pull it away but gets a toe-end it down the pitch. That ball was there to be hit.

13.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted, full and on middle, turns in again. Finn Allen gets down on one knee again, hits it with the spin and dismisses it out of his presence over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more. KKR are one hit away from the win, Allen is one hit away from his ton. Can he get it?

13.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Short again and on middle, turns in sharply, Finn Allen swings across the line but gets another inside edge, this time wide of short fine for a brace. KKR need just 9 runs to win now!

13.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Flatter, short and on middle, turns in, Finn Allen moves back to clip it but gets an inside edge towards square leg.

13.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, SIX! The six-hitting show continues from the Kiwi! A wrong'un, fuller and outside off, turns away too. Finn Allen gets down on one knee, extends his arms to reach out for it and dispatches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

13.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, Floated, short and around leg, Cameron Green stays back and flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

12.6: Vipraj Nigam to Cameron Green, A smidge shorter, on middle and leg. Green plays with soft hands and tucks it in the vacant square leg region for another run. A very expensive over from Nigam. 21 runs from it. KKR need just 18 runs from 42 balls.

12.5: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, Dropped short, on middle. Allen camps back and punches it along the ground to long off for an easy single.

12.4: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, SIX! A hat trick of sixes and Allen continues to torment the DC spinners. Nigam now bowls it full, around off. Finn Allen uses his reach to his benefit and smokes it downtown for a massive six. He moves to 79 (40).

12.3: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, SIX! He is in a hurry now! Way too short, on middle. Finn Allen, reads the googly, uses the depth of the crease and nails the pull shot into the stands behind deep mid-wicket for a six.

12.2: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, SIX! MONSTROUS HIT! A friendly half volley from Vipraj, on off. Finn Allen gets down on a knee, and launches it handsomely over the long off fence for a huge six. 

12.1: Vipraj Nigam to Cameron Green, A flipper, short on leg. Cameron Green hangs back and heaves it to widish long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav continues to be expensive for DC. Here is Vipraj Nigam to bowl now.

11.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, Tossed up, leg break on middle. Cameron Green gets on the front foot and eases it into the long off region for an easy single.

11.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Keeps it outside off, flat and short. Allen punches the googly to mid off. The fielder dives to that direction but parries the ball to the deep for a single.

11.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, Around off and short, Green backs away and taps it to cover-point for a quick run.

11.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, SIX! PUNISHED! Ordinary from Kuldeep as this is halfway down the pitch, short on off. Cameron Green has all the time in the world as he goes deep inside the crease before nailing the pull shot behind deep mid-wicket. 13 runs already with three balls to go in this over. This brings up the 100 FOR KKR!

11.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Closer to the off pole, on a length. Allen goes back and across and punches it down to long off for a single.

11.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, SIX! Allen continues on his merry! Not too short from Kuldeep, but enough for the batter to rock back. Allen, with no intention to keep it down, pulls it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen runs.

Kuldeep Yadav replaces his skipper. A slip in place as well.

10.6: Mitchell Starc to Cameron Green, On a fuller length, wide outside off. Green laces it through extra cover. Tristan Stubbs runs across to his left from long off and dives to stop it. Two taken. 13 runs from Starc's third. 3-0-31-0 so far for the big Aussie.

10.5: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Slams the deck hard, angling across the batter. Allen tries to pull it away, but hits off the toe end, to the left of short mid-wicket for a single.

10.4: Mitchell Starc to Cameron Green, Back of a length, outside off. Green, with an off-stump guard, stands tall and pulls it to the right of Pathum Nissanka at deep mid-wicket. Nissanka stops it with a slide. One taken.

10.3: Mitchell Starc to Cameron Green, Good running! Full and outside off. Green gets on the front foot and smashes it to cover. Axar dives to his left, half stops and takes the sting out of the ball. It rolls to the deep and they cross for the second run.

10.2: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Pitched outside off, full in length. This is drilled down to long off for a single.

10.1: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, SIX! Easily done! FIFTY FOR FINN ALLEN! Off just 32 balls. He has batted smartly so far and would like to stay till the end and get the job done for his team. Starc pushes it wide outside off, on a fuller length. Finn Allen moves across the stumps and gets under the ball before scooping it comfortably over deep fine leg for a six. This also brings up the 50-run partnership between this pair. A very caluclated alliance so far.

Halfway through in the run chase. Kolkata Knight Riders are 75/2. Delhi Capitals, at the same stage, were 80/3. KKR need 68 runs from 60 balls. ​​And Mitchell Starc is brought back on. 

9.6: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Quicker and shorter, on middle and leg, Finn Allen forces it down to long on for one more. Axar Patel finishes his spell with excellent figures of 4-0-27-1.

9.5: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Fires this one full and on middle, Cameron Green makes room and steers it through point for one.

9.4: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Dragged back and around off, Cameron Green backs away and slaps it wide of deep point for a brace.

9.3: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Three dots! Flatter, short and on middle, angles in, Cameron Green has no room to work with and swats it back to the bowler.

9.2: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Tossed up, full and on middle, Cameron Green pushes it to short cover.

9.1: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Floated, short and on middle, Cameron Green pats it back to the bowler.

Axar Patel (3-0-23-1) replaces Kuldeep Yadav and will bowl out.

8.6: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Pitched up and on off, Cameron Green gives the charge and bunts it to long off for one more.

8.5: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, Nails the yorker, on middle, tailing in late. Finn Allen gets his bat down in time to dig it behind the stumps for one.

8.4: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Fuller in length and on off, Cameron Green drives it through covers for another run.

8.3: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, A low dipping full toss, around off, Finn Allen stretches out a bit and drills it to long off for a run.

8.2: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, Fuller one and on middle, Finn Allen has a swipe across the line but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

8.1: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Slower one, hard length and around off, Cameron Green punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Despite losing two big wickets in a strange fashion, the Knight Riders have managed to stabilise themselves through Allen and Green. Allen, for a fact, has batted beyond the Powerplay for the first time this season, which is a huge positive for KKR. For Delhi to claw their way back into this contest, everything hinges on how well their spinners bowl and penetrate through this middle over phase. KKR need almost a run-a-ball, 77 from 72 balls and here comes Lungi Ngidi into the attack. 1-0-2-0 so far. He replaces Vipraj Nigam.

7.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Another googly, full and on off, turns away, Finn Allen reads it well and keeps it out to point.

7.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, PUT DOWN! Quicker and shorter, on middle, Finn Allen rocks back to pull it away but gets cramped up for room. He ends up hitting it flat and towards long on where the ball is travelling at the rate of knots. Tristan Stubbs moves forward and dives to grab it, but fails to hold on to it.  Allen thought he was a goner and did not bother trying to run.

7.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, SIX! Straight as an arrow! Tossed up, full and on middle, right in the slot. Finn Allen bends his back knee a bit, once again hits through the line to launch it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

7.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Slows it up, short and around leg, Finn Allen stays back and keeps it out to the leg side.

7.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, EDGED AND FOUR! A wrong'un, short and on off, turns away, Finn Allen moves back to punch it away but gets a thin outside edge that races to the third man fence for a boundary.

7.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Finn Allen, Flatter and shorter, on middle, Finn Allen rocks back and heaves it but straight to mid-wicket.

DC use their impact sub option. Kuldeep Yadav is straightaway brought into the attack. He comes in, while Ashutosh Sharma is subbed out.

6.6: Vipraj Nigam to Cameron Green, Short again and on off, skids through, Cameron Green crouches low to guide it away but ends up chopping it down on the off side. 13 runs off the over!

6.5: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, Finn Allen punches it towards extra cover for one.

6.4: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, SIX! That is a fine shot! Flighted delivery, full and on middle, Finn Allen backs away a bit, hits it through the line and tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie. 50 UP FOR KKR.

6.3: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, FOUR! Put away! Shorter in length and well outside off, Finn Allen rocks back and cuts it away hard through point. He calls for two, but the fielder in the deep runs to his left and dives to stop it with one hand and lets it through for a boundary.

6.2: Vipraj Nigam to Cameron Green, Drops it short and on middle, Cameron Green flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a run.

6.1: Vipraj Nigam to Finn Allen, Tossed up, full and around off, Finn Allen drills it to long off for a single.

The Powerplay is done. KKR are 43/2. At the same stage, DC were actually ahead with 55/1 on the board. The Knight Riders need 100 runs off 84 balls. And here's Vipraj Nigam into the attack.

5.6: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Another short ball, on middle, Finn Allen slaps it down to long on for one more. KKR are 43/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Flatter, full and on middle, Finn Allen gets deep inside the crease and blocks it out.

5.4: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Dragged back, on off, Cameron Green stabs it to long off for a run.

Halt in play. Looks like the ball is not retrievable from the stands. The fourth umpire rushes out with a box of replacement balls. The on-field umpires pick another one and we are good to go.

5.3: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, SIX! Clean strike! Flighted, full and around middle, angles in. Cameron Green clears his front leg away and smokes it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. He does not even bother looking at it as he knows he has hit it well.

5.2: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Tossed up, full and on off, Cameron Green pushes it to short cover.

5.1: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Floated, short and on middle, Finn Allen punches it wide of long on for a single.

4.6: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Targets the top of middle by angling the ball in on a length. Green gets behind the line and bunts it back with soft hands. Excellent over from Ngidi. Just 2 runs from it. KKR need 109 runs from 90 balls.

4.5: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Full, straight on middle. Cameron Green presents a straight bat and eases it to short cover where Rana fields it to his right.

4.4: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, On a good length, at off. Finn Allen taps it in front of cover and pinches a single.

4.3: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, Nice and full, at 138.2 kph, on off. Allen creams it away, but straight to Axar at mid off.

4.2: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, Nip-backer on a length, Allen tucks it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

4.1: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Around off, on a length, Green steers it off the back foot to the right of short third for a single. 

Change? Yes, Lungi Ngidi replaces Mitchell Starc.

3.6: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Floated full, on off. Allen commits on the back foot and knocks it straight to cover.

3.5: Axar Patel to Cameron Green, Short, around off, Cameron Green hangs back and punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

Two very strange dismissals for KKR, but DC will take it. Cameron Green comes out to the middle now.

3.4: Axar Patel to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, OUT! BOWLED! Another unlucky dismissal for KKR and the Capitals are up and about as they won't mind that. On a length on the middle stump. Raghuvanshi is down on a knee to sweep, gets his glove on the ball. Loops onto his shoulder and trickles back into the stumps. Raghuvanshi never spots the ball charting its route and watches the bails light up only after the damage is done. There was very little he could do as the reaction time was too short for the batter. KKR are 31/2.

3.3: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Good length, on leg, sliding in further. Allen heaves it wide of mid on for a single.

3.2: Axar Patel to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Full and around off, driven to widish long off for a run.

3.1: Axar Patel to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, On a length, drifting back in. Stabbed off the back foot.

An unlucky way to go for the KKR skipper. Angkrish Raghuvanshi walks out to bat at number 3.

2.6: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, OUT! AJINKYA RAHANE IS RUN OUT! That's the most unfortunate way to get dismissed. 142.2 kph yorker from Starc, tailing in from off to middle. Allen tries to shovel it down the ground but Starc sticks his left hand out on the follow-through. Deflects off his hand and crashes into the stumps at the non-striker's end. Rahane had taken the charge ahead and is found short of his crease. The TV umpire confirms that it has deflected off Starc's hand. Rahane looked solid but has to walk back. KKR are 29/1, chasing 143.

Is that a run out at the non-striker's end? Ajinkya Rahane is already walking off, but the umpires want to make sure. The third umpire sees in the replay that there is a clear deflection from Starc's hand on the follow-through and Rahane is out of his crease. 

2.5: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, Nips in from off, on a fuller length. Rahane tries to work it off side, but inside edges past the leg stump. The ball rolls to long leg for a single.

2.4: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, SIX! Picked up and dumped into the crowd! Fuller in length, on middle and leg. Ajinkya Rahane picks the length early and whips it comfortably over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

2.3: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, A snorter! Hard length at 141.9 kph, hammered in the channel of off, nipping away. Ajinkya Rahane has a loose poke at it, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

2.2: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Too full now, outside off. Allen carves it to the left of mid off. Axar Patel is alert to the situation, gets to his left, dives and stops the ball well. Saves a certain boundary as it was travelling. Just a single then.

2.1: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, FOUR! Pinned through! On a back of a length, angling away from the batter. Finn Allen stays put and gets his hands through the line off the back foot. Pierces the cover and cover-point gap for a boundary.

1.6: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Smidge fuller than the previous ball and Allen runs it down to long on for a single. 11 runs from Axar's first.

1.5: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Dropped short on middle. Rahane hangs deep in the crease and nudges it wide of mid on for a single.

1.4: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, FOUR! Finds the gap easily! Tossed up, full and around off. Rahane shuffles leg side of the ball and slashes it past the diving cover fielder to his right for a boundary.

1.3: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Slides into the batter, on a fullish length. Ajinkya Rahane presses back and watchfully smothers to the leg side. More off the inside edge. 

1.2: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Skids through on a length, on off. Allen punches it across to long on for a single.

1.1: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, FOUR! That's a skilful shot! A touch short and sliding back in and around middle. Finn Allen is quick to pivot on the back foot and lofts it over mid-wicket to find the fence.

Decent first over from Mitchell Starc. Spin from the other end as Axar Patel takes up the ball.

0.6: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Overpitched delivery, on off, Allen heaves it across, but gets it off the bottom end and it rolls away to deep mid-wicket for a run. 6 runs off the first over.

0.5: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, FOUR! Plundered down the ground! Slightly on a length, around off, doesn't swing back in much as Starc hoped for. Finn Allen throws his hands at it and blasts it straight down the ground, to mid off's right for a boundary.

0.4: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Beaten! Pushed wide outside off, very full in length. Finn Allen collapses the back knee and reaches out for it, trying to drive past cover, but misses connect.

0.3: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, Hard length, at 141.3 kph, this is bashed outside off. Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and cuts it over backward point, on the bounce to the fielder in the deep. A single and Rahane gets himself and KKR underway.

0.2: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, Full again, just outside off, curving back in. Ajinkya Rahane commits on the front foot and drives it straight to mid off.

0.1: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, On target! Bring the ball back into the batter, on a fuller length, around middle. Rahane gets on the front foot, tries to drive away, but gets an inside edge to mid-wicket.

We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle now. Delhi Capitals bring in Kuldeep Yadav as their Impact Sub, replacing Ashutosh Sharma. Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen are the two openers for Kolkata Knight Riders. Mitchell Starc will start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

KKR's spin choke leave Delhi reeling - Kolkata Knight Riders could manage only one wicket in the Powerplay, but it was the massive scalp of KL Rahul, removed by Kartik Tyagi. Once the fielding restrictions were lifted, though, KKR's spinners began to tighten the screws as they so often do. Narine was outstanding with figures of 1/17, while Varun Chakaravarthy went wicketless but kept things extremely quiet from one end. Anukul Roy's double strike shifted the momentum firmly in Kolkata's favour, while Green and Arora chipped in with important contributions as well. Tyagi then capped off a fine spell brilliantly, finishing with 2/25 and conceding just three runs in the final over. While this may look like a middling total, such targets have often produced thrillers in the IPL. However, Delhi Capitals will need early wickets in the Powerplay if they are to make a game out of this. They are yet to successfully defend a total this season and will need a special bowling effort tonight to change that. Join us in bit for the second essay.

A man who never ages is up for a chat - KKR's Sunil Narine, on bowling economical spells consistently, says it comes down to hard work and bowling plenty of balls in the nets. On the surface and whether spinners are getting good assistance, he shares that it all depends on how the batters approach the spinners. He adds that batting with intent makes it easier and points out that getting off to a good start in the Powerplay is key for his side. On the turnaround and whether the spinners have led the way, Narine says that when plans come together and work in the middle, it builds self-belief. He stresses that the focus is simply on executing their plans and sticking to them. About the target, he admits that small totals in the IPL are never easy to defend but stresses that it has to be taken seriously. He shares that the goal is to win the Powerplay, keep wickets in hand and make the chase as difficult as possible.

DC lose their way yet again - Despite losing KL Rahul early, Delhi Capitals still managed a solid Powerplay, reaching 55/1. But Kolkata's spinners completely took over after that, drying up the runs and forcing regular wickets. Nissanka stood out with a fine half-century before falling the very next ball, while the rest struggled badly against spin. Axar Patel's slow 11 off 22 summed up Delhi's problems in the middle overs, though Ashutosh Sharma's gritty 39 helped push them to a fighting total.

KKR ahead after clincical bowling show - A fantastic effort with the ball from Kolkata Knight Riders, and they would have gladly taken this total at the start of the game. Delhi Capitals did stage a mini fightback towards the end to push past 140, but it still feels slightly below par. That said, this is not the easiest pitch to bat on, and DC's trio of spinners will need to replicate what their Kolkata counterparts did if they are to make a contest out of this chase.

19.6: Kartik Tyagi to Lungi Ngidi, Slower off cutter, short and just outside off. Lungi Ngidi lifts it over the backward point fielder. Cameron Green, the sweeper, runs to his left and is quick to get on the ball. Just a single to finish. A fine, fine last over from Kartik Tyagi. Concedes just 3 runs off it and he ends with brilliant figures of 4-0-25-2. DC FINISH AT 142/8!

19.5: Kartik Tyagi to Vipraj Nigam, Way short and at the shoulder height, around off. Vipraj Nigam backs away and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket's left. He wants two but Anukul Roy charges to the ball like a hare and cuts it off. Keeps it down to a single.

Lungi Ngidi comes out to the middle.

19.4: Kartik Tyagi to Mitchell Starc, OUT! MITCHELL STARC IS RUN OUT! Kartik Tyagi nails the yorker wide outside off, Starc is late to get his bat down in time to connect. Vipraj Nigam wants the strike and sets off for the bye, but Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the keeper, is quick to release the ball towards the bowler. Tyagi collects it and breaks the stumps with Starc nowhere near the crease.

19.3: Kartik Tyagi to Mitchell Starc, Full and outside off. Starc swings and misses, through to the keeper. Vipraj wants the bye but Starc doesn't move an inch from his crease and Nigam is forced to retreat back.

The next batter in is Mitchell Starc.

19.2: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, OUT! HIT HARD AND TAKEN! This was travelling at the rate of knots and Rahane probably had less than a second to react. Too full and just outside off, Ashutosh Sharma takes the front leg out of the way and tries to crash it over cover, but fails to get underneath it and slices it flatly to cover. Ajinkya Rahane runs back and takes a sharp catch above his head at the edge of the ring. Top catch from the KKR skipper. But an equally fantastic knock by Ashutosh Sharma.

19.1: Kartik Tyagi to Vipraj Nigam, Short outside off. Vipraj moves across looking to hook over fine leg but gets it high on the bat. Lands short of Angkrish who runs forward. The batters charge across for a single.

Can Kartik Tyagi keep DC under 150 here?

18.6: Vaibhav Arora to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! Absolutely butchered! Short of a length, around off. Ashutosh Sharma stands tall and blasts it over the bowler's head with a flat-batted angle for a boundary straight down the ground. 13 runs from the penultimate over.

18.5: Vaibhav Arora to Ashutosh Sharma, SIX! Oh, hello? Quite an audacious hit. Full and angled away outside off. Ashutosh shuffles a long way across, goes deep in the crease and prepares for the reverse ramp. Launches it over deep third with ease for a six. He has made that look so easy than it really is.

18.4: Vaibhav Arora to Vipraj Nigam, Kicks up from a length, around off. Nigam hops on the toes and cuts it uppishly to deep backward point for a single.

End of a very scratchy knock from DC's skipper. Vipraj Nigam walks out to bat now.

18.3: Vaibhav Arora to Axar Patel, OUT! TAKEN SPECTACULARLY​! Anukul Roy with a moment of absolute brilliance in the field. He had a pretty average day in the ground fielding, but redeems himself now. Short outside off. Axar doesn't move his feet, swivelling across the line. Miscues the pull shot and it balloons into the deep square leg region. Anukul Roy running in from deep midwicket, dives to his left and takes it in his left hand around waist height, smartly keeping it off the ground as he slides through. Background check confirms it is a clean catch. A painfully slow innings comes to an end for Axar. DC are 128/6.

18.2: Vaibhav Arora to Ashutosh Sharma, Full and wide outside off, Ashutosh Sharma plants his front foot across to play the sweep shot, but adjusts late and carves it to deep cover for a run.

18.1: Vaibhav Arora to Axar Patel, Bowls wide of the crease from around the stump. Axar shuffles outside leg and Vaibhav fires it onto the pads of the batter to cramp him for room. Patel flicks it to deep mid-wicket for just a run.

Vaibhav Arora to bowl the penultimate over. Also, Kolkata Knight Riders bring in Finn Allen as the Impact Sub, replacing Varun Chakaravarthy.

Varun Chakaravarthy is substituted by Finn Allen

17.6: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Back of a length, with pace taken off and far outside off. Axar reaches out and scythes it to deep point for a single. 10 runs off the over.

17.5: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, Slower bumper at 119.1 kph, on top of middle. Ashutosh Sharma controls the pull shot along the ground towards Anukul Roy at deep mid-wicket. Just a single.

17.4: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Fuller and on off, Axar clears the front leg and drills it away to long on for a single.

17.3: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, He wants two, but won't get it. Back of a length, off cutter, outside off. Ashutosh Sharma tries to pull but badly mistimes it down to long on. The fielder is quick to charge in off the ropes and keeps it down to a single. 

17.2: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, SIX! Just clears the ropes! Very short and outside off. Ashutosh Sharma stays put this time, rises with the bounce and ramps it over the keeper and has enough wood on it to sail it over the ropes for a 57-meter six.

17.1: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, Smart bowling! Kartik spots Ashutosh skipping down the track to spank it over covers, and bowls a sharp short ball, outside off. Sharma swings for the hills, only to miss.

The decision to bowl a wounded Varun Chakaravarthy has proved to be costly for KKR. Now, with all the spinners done with their spells, DC will be looking to make the most of the remaining three overs to try and reach around 150, if not more. Varun has gone off the field now. Also, Kartik Tyagi is back on.

16.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, Short and wide outside off. Ashutosh Sharma slaps it off the back foot to deep cover for a single. Varun Chakaravarthy goes wicketless with figures of 4-0-28-0.

16.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! Frees his arms again! Another one that drifts outside off, a quicker one on a shorter length. Ashutosh Sharma uses the depth of the crease and cuts it to the left of Anukul Roy at deep cover and picks up another boundary. 15 runs with a ball to go in this over.

16.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! Off the misfield. Quite uncharacteristically, a rare off day for Roy in the field. Quicker over 100 kph, outside off, on a length. Ashutosh Sharma hangs back and slaps it to the right of sweeper cover. Anukul dives but cannot stop it cleanly.

16.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, SIX! Is this the jailbreak moment for DC? After a loooong arid run, finally a biggie for the hosts. A loosener from Varun, full and around off. Ashutosh Sharma swings it freely and golfs it straight down the ground for a cracking six.

16.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, Short and wide outside off. Ashutosh reaches for the ball and cuts straight to short third.

16.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Slowish delivery, outside leg, short. Patel tucks it with soft hands through square leg for a single.

Will Varun Chakaravarthy be able to finish his spell? Yes, he is back on.

15.6: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, On a length, spinning back from outside off. Axar goes deep in the crease and tucks it to deep square leg for a single. And finally, 100 UP FOR DC!

15.5: Sunil Narine to Ashutosh Sharma, Not that short on the pads. Ashutosh Sharma gets across and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

15.4: Sunil Narine to Ashutosh Sharma, Short, on middle, spinning in. Punched off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

15.3: Sunil Narine to Ashutosh Sharma, A slight appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head in denial. Possible height? And KKR do not review as Narine looked a bit reluctant. Good length, an off break that pitches close to off stump, and turns in prodigiously. It hits Ashutosh high on the back thigh as he plays all over it. Ball Tracking later shows that it would have clipped the bails of the leg stump on umpire's call.

15.2: Sunil Narine to Ashutosh Sharma, Turns in sharply on a length, Ashutosh Sharma is pushed on the back foot and blocks it to short cover somehow.

15.1: Sunil Narine to Ashutosh Sharma, Flatter delivery, outside off, Sharma play the full ball off the back foot and eases it to short cover.

Last 5 overs to go. Two of which will be surely bowled by Narine and Chakaravarthy. And here's Sunil Narine back on.

14.6: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, On a length and on middle, Axar Patel opens the bat face and guides it to backward point. He wants the run but is sent back.

14.5: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, Much fuller and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma drives it down to long on for a run.

14.4: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, Short of a length and just outside off, at 142.5 kph, Ashutosh Sharma slashes at it but misses.

Varun Chakaravarthy is off the field for now. He is getting medical attention from the physio at the sidelines. He was seen hobbling while bowling in his previous over. KKR would hope it's nothing serious.

14.3: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Touch fuller and on middle, Axar Patel knocks it towards mid off and scampers across for a quick single.

14.2: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Play and a miss! Back of a length and around off, angling away, Axar Patel gets late to steer it away and fails to connect.

14.1: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Good length and on middle and off, keeps low, Axar Patel gets his bat down and keeps it out towards backward point.

STRATEGIC BREAK​​​​​​! It has been all KKR since the restrictions have been lifted. The Capitals have only managed to add 41 runs since the Powerplay, but crucially, have lost 4 big wickets en route. The spin trap laid by the trio of Narine, Varun and Anukul has just choked the run flow for the hosts. The boundaries have dried up and the run rate has shrunk down to just above run-a-ball. Someone will need to make a move on from here on to get DC out of the mist and post a defendable total. Some respite from spin then. Here's Kartik Tyagi back into the attack. 1-0-10-1 so far are his bowling figures.

13.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Tossed up, full and around off, Axar Patel mistimes his lofted shot badly. That probably saves him as the ball lands well in front of long off. They cross.

13.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Three dots on the trot! Shorter again and on off, kicks up a bit off the deck, Axar Patel is taken back and dabs it down to point.

13.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Slightly quicker, short and around off, Axar Patel chops it down on the bounce towards first slip, where the fielder gets a hand on it to make a half-stop.

13.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, A carrom ball, full and on middle, spins in, Axar Patel gets cramped up for room abd blocks it back to the bowler.

13.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, Short again and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma punches it to long on for a single.

13.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, Floated, short and on off, turns in, Ashutosh Sharma steps across and clips it to short mid-wicket.

Trial by spin continues. Varun Chakaravarthy (2-0-10-0) replaces Sunil Narine.

12.6: Anukul Roy to Ashutosh Sharma, Flatter, full and on off, Ashutosh Sharma forces it to long off for one more. Anukul Roy finishes a fine spell of bowling with figures of 4-0-31-2.

12.5: Anukul Roy to Axar Patel, Drops it short and outside off, Axar Patel cuts it away to deep point for one.

12.4: Anukul Roy to Ashutosh Sharma, Short and around off, Ashutosh Sharma punches it down to long off for a run.

12.3: Anukul Roy to Ashutosh Sharma, Flighted, full and on off, Ashutosh Sharma pushes it to short cover.

12.2: Anukul Roy to Ashutosh Sharma, Fires this one full but down the leg side, Ashutosh Sharma fails to glance it away. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the keeper, moves to his left, grabs it and appeals right away, but it is turned down. However, Ajinkya Rahane shows trust in his keeper and takes the review. No spike on the UltraEdge when it passes the bat, but there is a spike when it is close to the pad. So, Not Out, but not a wide as well.

12.1: Anukul Roy to Axar Patel, Floated, short and around leg, Axar Patel nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

11.6: Sunil Narine to Ashutosh Sharma, Shorter in length and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma moves back and pats it back to the bowler. Just one run off the over!

11.5: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Drops it short and around off, Axar Patel flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a single.

11.4: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Slows it up, full and on middle, Axar Patel defends it on the front foot.

11.3: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Flatter, short and on off, skids through with extra bounce, Axar Patel moves back to play at it but gets nowhere near the ball.

11.2: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Floated, full and around off, Axar Patel taps it past first slip.

11.1: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Beauty! A bit round-armish from Narine from around the stump, full and around off. Axar Patel leans forward to block, but the ball spins past his blade by a whisker. 

10.6: Anukul Roy to Ashutosh Sharma, Dragged back, on off, Ashutosh Sharma stabs it out to short cover. 9 runs and 2 wickets from the over!

And just like that, half of the DC side is back in the hut. In walks Ashutosh Sharma at number 7.

10.5: Anukul Roy to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Anukul Roy with the double whammy and problems just keep rising for the Capitals. He bowls this quicker at 95.3 kph, shortish and on off. Tristan Stubbs stays deep inside his crease and tries to guide it with an angled bat. He gets beaten by the pace on the ball and misses as the ball hits the top of off. Stubbs looks bamboozled but has to walk back too. DC are 89/5 in 10.5 overs.

10.4: Anukul Roy to Tristan Stubbs, Slows it up, full and on off, Tristan Stubbs pushes it a bit uppishly but safely to short cover.

10.3: Anukul Roy to Tristan Stubbs, A bit short, around off. Stubbs hangs back and punches it deep cover. Kartik Tyagi, the deep point fielder, runs to his right and cuts it off. Two taken.

10.2: Anukul Roy to Axar Patel, On middle, on a length. Axar gets across in the crease and taps it through backward square leg for a single.

10.2: Anukul Roy to Axar Patel, WIDE! Pushed down leg, on a length. Patel tries to pull but misses. Wide called.

Axar Patel is the new batter in. Hasn't had the best of runs with the bat this year. Probably, this is the time the skipper unleashes when his team needs it the most.

10.2: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! STUMPED! Fifty and out for Pathum Nissanka and Anukul Roy gets a wicket now. He expects the batter to advance and drags his length back, bowls this way outside off. Nissanka tries to repeat the dose, but this time he fails to reach out for the ball and swings all over it. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, behind the stumps, collects it cleanly and breaks the stumps with the Lankan well out of his crease. The third umpire checks for it and the replay clearly shows that it is out. However, as the ball is outside the tramline, the umpire calls it a wide.

Is Nissanka stumped out? He has already started his march to the dugout, but the on-field umpire wants to have a check. He sends it upstairs for a review. UltraEdge shows flat line. Now, onto the stumping. Side-on replay shows that the ball is fairly collected behind the stumps and Raghuvanshi whips the bails off. Nissanka is nowhere close to the popping crease. Out by a fair margin.

10.1: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! Off just 29 balls. This is a fine knock on a not-so-easy wicket, but he has been very positive. Tossed up, full and just outside off, Pathum Nissanka skips down the track, reaches out and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary.

9.6: Sunil Narine to Tristan Stubbs, Good length, outside off, spinning in, Stubbs defends it off the inner half to the bowler. At halfway, DC are 80/3.

Out goes Sameer Rizvi, in comes Tristan Stubbs.

9.5: Sunil Narine to Sameer Rizvi, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The spin continues to choke the Capitals in this middle phase. Narine, the old fox does the job. Actually brave bowling this from Narine. He tosses it up full and on off. Invites the big shot to be played. Sameer Rizvi goes for a big slog sweep over deep mid-wicket, but does not time it perfectly and it goes only as far as Rovman Powell stationed at the edge of the ropes. He takes a watchful reverse cup catch in front of his face, just over his right shoulder. No fireworks from Rizvi this time around. Delhi Capitals are 80/3 after 9.5 overs.

9.4: Sunil Narine to Sameer Rizvi, Dropped short, on off, Sameer is deep in the crease and pulls it to the right of long on for a couple.

9.3: Sunil Narine to Sameer Rizvi, At 95.4 kph, this is the carrom ball from Narine, touch full, on middle. Sameer Rizvi covers the stumps by getting across. Tries to nudge it to the leg side, but gets a leading edge to the off side.

9.2: Sunil Narine to Pathum Nissanka, This time, it turns into the batter, full around off. Pathum sits down on a knee and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a run.

9.1: Sunil Narine to Pathum Nissanka, Spins away from off, not that short but Nissanka plays off the back foot. Plays it late and dabs it to short third.

Strategic Break! Kolkata Knight Riders have pulled things back in the last couple of overs, and the pitch has something for the spinners. These middle overs will be really crucial in seeing where this game goes. Pathum Nissanka is batting really well and having a set batter on this wicket will be key later on, but the DC middle order will also need to step up against the spinners of Kolkata, who have been the best among all teams this season. A fascinating battle awaits us. Sunil Narine to bowl after the break.

8.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sameer Rizvi, Slightly around off, on a fuller length. Sameer lunges forward and smothers it to the first slip. End of a very probing over from Chakaravarthy. Just 3 runs from it. 2-0-10-0 so far for Varun.

8.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Pathum Nissanka, Shortish on the stumps, drifting in. Nissanka hangs deep in the crease and works it through square leg for a single.

8.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sameer Rizvi, Flighted googly on leg stump, Rizvi plants the front leg across, looks to work it into the leg side. Gets an inside edge onto the front pad and the ball rolls in front of covers for a single.

8.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sameer Rizvi, And again! Pitched slightly shorter than the previous ball, but he spins it back in from around off. Sameer Rizvi again gets on the front foot to flick it away, but is beaten on the inside edge and is hit on the pad. This time, Varun is a bit more expressive in his appeal for LBW, but the keeper isn't. In fact, Angkrish Raghuvanshi is busy setting up the field. No interest from Rahane either.

8.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sameer Rizvi, Spins back in from middle, on a fractionally fuller length. Rizvi plays all around it and is beaten on the inside edge, being hit on the back thigh pad. A muted appeal from Varun but nothing doing.

8.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Pathum Nissanka, Length, on middle and leg, Pathum tucks it to wide long on for a single.

A short stay for Nitish Rana. Sameer Rizvi comes out to the middle now.

7.6: Cameron Green to Nitish Rana, OUT! TAKEN EASILY! Green with a massive wicket for his team. He bangs the ball short, and angles it into the bodyline of the batter, to tuck Rana up for space. Nitish gets across, tries to pull it over square leg, but the ball kicks up a bit and Rana finds himself into an awkward position. The ball is spooned off the splice of the bat and goes towards short fine leg. A simple catching practice for Sunil Narine, there. And a kind of slowish knock from Rana is ended. Delhi Capitals are 74/2 after 8 overs.

7.5: Cameron Green to Nitish Rana, Better from Green! Bowls on a tight line, on middle, on a good length. Nitish rocks back, is cramped up for room and can only bunt it back to the bowler.

7.4: Cameron Green to Nitish Rana, FOUR! Nicely played! Around the stump, full and around off. Nitish Rana shimmies down the track, moves leg side, throws his hands at it and lofts it over cover-point and it goes on a few bounces into the DC dugout for a boundary.

7.3: Cameron Green to Pathum Nissanka, Nagging length, around off. Nissanka hops on the toes and square cuts it to deep point's right for a run.

7.2: Cameron Green to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! Now that's easily dispatched! Good use of the wrists there. Very full from Green, on middle and leg. Pathum Nissanka gets a shade across, picks up well and dumps it into the stands, behind deep backward square leg. He is timing the ball really nicely here.

7.1: Cameron Green to Nitish Rana, Short of a length from around the wicket. Rana plays off the back foot and cuts it to deep point. Powell moves a bit to his right in the deep and mops it up. One run.

Spin from both ends? Nope, Cameron Green joins the attack now.

6.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Why go wham-bam, when you know delicacy! Not that short from Varun, closer to the off pole. Pathum Nissanka creates room by backing away, plays it very late and threads it between short third and backward point for a boundary. 7 runs from Varun's first then.

6.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Pathum Nissanka, Flat, full, on middle. Nissanka drills it straight back at the bowler. Varun bends low and collects it.

6.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Nitish Rana, Drags the length back, on middle and off. Nitish plays off the back foot and runs it to long on for a single.

6.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Pathum Nissanka, A bit shorter, on leg, Pathum goes back and pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

6.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Pathum Nissanka, Over the wicket. Full and spinning in almost square from middle. Pathum Nissanka tries to flick but plays over it and the ball lobs off the front pad. Angkrish Raghuvanshi rushes forward and dives to gather the ball.

6.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Nitish Rana, Slides into the batter, from around the stump. On a length, around off. Rana goes deep into the crease and dinks it wide of mid-wicket for a single. He looks for the second, but the fielder is quick to charge on the ball.

End of Powerplay! Neither side will be too disappointed with how things have gone in the first six overs. Here is Varun Chakaravarthy to bowl now.

5.6: Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Rana, Just short of Pandey! A proactive effort, though, from him. Back of a length, angling slightly outside off. Rana presses back and cuts it over point. Manish Pandey charges in off the ropes, dives forward but the ball lands just in front of him and he half stops it. The ball stays in his vicinity and the batters cross for a single. DC end their Powerplay at 55/1.

5.5: Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Rana, Swing and a miss! Fuller and outside off, curving away late from the southpaw. Nitish Rana does not move his feet much and tries to blast it past covers, only for the ball to whistle past the outside edge.

5.4: Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Rana, Attacks the stumps, on a fuller length. Rana hops across and tucks it to the leg side.

5.3: Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Rana, Fires it a touch fuller and fairly outside off, Rana ignores. 

5.2: Vaibhav Arora to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched short, on top of middle. Pathum hangs back and pulls it all along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.1: Vaibhav Arora to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Just over! Vaibhav errs in line, on the pads, on a length. Pathum Nissanka uses the pace and whips it over the leaping Varun Chakaravarthy at short fine leg, or the 45, as they say, for a boundary. 50 UP FOR THE CAPITALS!

KL Rahul pointed out something while making his way to the dugout. Not really sure what it was, but he looked really disappointed. Maybe he wanted to lift it over mid off and didn't quite get the timing right. Nitish Rana is the new batter in for DC, at number 3. And Vaibhav Arora is back on as well.

4.6: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, OUT! TAKEN! Kartik Tyagi strikes gold for KKR. He goes fuller and on middle and off. KL Rahul stays in his crease and has a big hoick across the line but only manages to get a top edge. The ball goes miles in the air towards mid on, where the giant Aussie, Cameron Green, settles under it and pouches it safely with a reverse cup above his head. DC are 49/1.

4.5: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, FOUR! Nicely done! Banged into the pitch, around off. KL Rahul stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and swas it to the long off fence for four more runs.

4.4: Kartik Tyagi to Pathum Nissanka, Good stop! Hard length and just outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it away wide of point. Anukul Roy dives to his right and gets a good hand on it to save a certain boundary. The batters pinch a run.

4.3: Kartik Tyagi to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drills it but fails to get it past mid on.

4.2: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, Back of a length and on off, KL Rahul dabs it towards point for a single.

4.1: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, FOUR! A better effort was needed there! Short of a length and around off. KL Rahul gets his hands through the shot and carves it through point. Anukul Roy in the deep runs to his right, slides and gets both hands to the ball but only parries it over the fence for a boundary.

A bit of an expensive start for Narine. KKR still in search of their first breakthrough. And here's bowler number 4 for the tourists. Kartik Tyagi is into the attack now, replacing Anukul Roy.

3.6: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Another short delivery, on leg, KL Rahul punches it to long on for one more. 11 runs from Narine's first over!

3.5: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, FOUR! Put away! Dragged back again from Narine, around off. KL Rahul pulls it off the inside half of the bat but hits it wide of long on. Cameron Green runs to his right and dives but fails to stop the boundary.

3.4: Sunil Narine to Pathum Nissanka, Short and around leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it through square leg for one.

3.3: Sunil Narine to Pathum Nissanka, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, skids through a bit, Pathum Nissanka just about keeps it out.

3.2: Sunil Narine to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Gets it through! Flighted, full and just outside off, Pathum Nissanka leans on and drives it nicely wide of mid off. The fielder runs to his left but dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

3.1: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Floated, short and on off, turns in a bit, KL Rahul gets a bit hurried and nudges it to the leg side for a single.

Surprise, surprise! Just one over for Arora, and he is replaced by the one and only Sunil Narine.

2.6: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! Short and punished! Roy bowls this a bit too short this time, on middle. Pathum Nissanka has all the time in the world to move back and heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

2.5: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka uses his feet, takes it on the full but drills it down the pitch, Anukul Roy gets low on his follow-through to make a half stop.

2.4: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, Fires in a yorker, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka digs it out to the off side.

2.3: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, Dragged back, on middle, KL Rahul punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

2.2: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, FOUR! Up and over! Flighted, full and on middle and leg, KL Rahul stays outside the leg stump, opens up his front leg and lofts it over mid on for a boundary on the bounce.

2.1: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, Floated, full and on middle, KL Rahul has a swipe across the line but gets it from the toe-end towards mid on.

1.6: Vaibhav Arora to KL Rahul, Hits the deck, on the sixth stump line, KL Rahul steers it towards point for one.

1.5: Vaibhav Arora to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length and on middle, jags back into the body of the batter, Pathum Nissanka looks to clip it away but gets an inside edge onto his thigh pad as the ball rolls to short fine leg. They cross.

1.4: Vaibhav Arora to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! BANG! Pathum Nissanka goes big now. Fuller delivery, angling into the leg stump. Nissanka picks it up off his pads and deposits it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. That's the first six of the game.

1.3: Vaibhav Arora to KL Rahul, Back of a length and on middle, KL Rahul dabs it in front of point for a run.

1.2: Vaibhav Arora to Pathum Nissanka, Much fuller and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drills it with a straight bat wide of mid on, where Kartik Tyagi moves to his left quickly and makes a diving stop. A single taken.

1.1: Vaibhav Arora to Pathum Nissanka, Vaibhav Arora begins with a hard-length delivery, on off, nips back in a bit. Pathum Nissanka looks to guide it away from his body and gets an inside edge onto his pads. That could have easily gone back onto the stumps.

A quiet start for the Capitals. Roy kept it tight. Pace from the other end. Vaibhav Arora to share the new ball. Will he get the swing? Let's see.

0.6: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, Drops it short and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka pats it to the right of mid on for another run. 7 runs off the first over then!

0.5: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, Flighted, full and on middle, KL Rahul backs away and drills it to sweeper cover for a run.

0.4: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, A low full toss, sliding into the pads, KL Rahul clips it away straight to mid-wicket. Roy gets away with one there.

0.3: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka drives it down to long off for a single.

0.2: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! DC are underway in style! A gentle loosener from Roy as he bowls a half-tracker, on middle and leg. Pathum Nissanka rocks back quickly and pulls it over mid-wicket for the first boundary of the game. It almost yorks the boundary ropes and bounces over.

0.1: Anukul Roy to Pathum Nissanka, Anukul Roy starts with a floater, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka stays back and punches it to cover-point.

It's time to rock and roll in Delhi. Out walk the two umpires - Nitin Menon and Rohan Pandit. Rahane leads his men out as the Knight Riders take their respective fielding spots. Pathum Nissanka walks out to the crease with KL Rahul to open for the Capitals. And it will be spin to start for KKR. Here's Anukul Roy, all set to bowl to Nissanka. Here we go...

Impact Players for DC - Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, T Natarajan, David Miller.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Vipraj Nigam (In place of Karun Nair), Mukesh Kumar (In place of T Natarajan). 

Impact Players for KKR - Finn Allen, Ramandeep Singh, Tejasvi Singh, Navdeep Saini, Tim Seifert.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Unchanged Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Need to be focused from the first ball - The captain of Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel, says that they don't mind batting first as the toss is something that is not in their hands, but they have to be focused from ball one. Informs that they have made a couple of changes with Mukesh Kumar coming in for T Natarajan and Vipraj Nigam replacing Karun Nair. Axar mentions that it does not spin much here in Delhi, but there is a bit of slowness which they have to get used to. The pacers can also use the slower balls into the wicket effectively. Ends by saying that nowadays the length of the boundaries doesn't matter, and they will have to play their best cricket.

All about starting fresh - The captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says the decision is made with the last three games in mind. He points out that the scores in those games have been quite varied, from 260-plus totals to a low-scoring contest against RCB. He adds that seeing how the wicket plays first makes it easier to bat later, sharing that the focus for his side is simply playing good cricket for all 40 overs. On the team combination, Rahane says that they are going unchanged. On the surface, he admits it is difficult to read. He adds that the key is to start well, assess the conditions early and react to situations accordingly. On the extended gaps between games, Rahane says it has worked out well for the side. He shares that the mood within the group during that first big break was really important. He stresses that this game is all about starting fresh and doing well.