KKR vs DC highlights, IPL 2026: Kuldeep Yadav rattles Kolkata, KKR finish 7th in IPL table

A new week, and a new challenge - We are 70 matches into the season, which has just flown by, but there are still four matches left, the most crucial four games of the season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, are the teams that will fight for the coveted trophy, starting with Qualifier 1. The playoff round will begin on Tuesday, 26 May and it will be Royals Challengers Bengaluru taking on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, with the winner getting a direct entry into the final. That game will be played in the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala and will egin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). As usual, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Until then, take care and goodbye!

POTM - Kuldeep Yadav has been given the accolade for his stellar figures of 3 for 29. He says he wasn't happy coming into this game given the way they had wanted to finish as a team earlier, and admits he didn't have a great season overall, saying he expected more from himself. He says after the last game he went back home and worked with his coach, played a game there, and adds that it is the small things you tend to forget very quickly. He says he felt he was bowling a bit more open-chested and that sometimes you stop using your full body, adding that it is exactly where T20 batters get on top of you. He calls it a lovely game for him to come back with after the last match. He says he was very clear with his plans going in, having read the wicket in the first innings as a bit slow, and says the wicket of Rinku was the perfect example of executing that plan. On the dropped catch off the hat-trick ball, he says these things happen and that he is pleased with the way he bowled overall. On his conversation with his coach, he shares that he was very straightforward, telling him to spin the ball and try to deceive the batter, adding that when you spin the ball, you give yourself a chance of getting the batter out.

The captain of Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that it's a good feeling and they gave their best in the last game, though they haven't qualified for the playoffs. He says that they have to learn from their mistakes and they played well but things didn't go their way. He further says that this is a high-pressure tournament and as a captain you need to be in a good mindset. He reckons that he keeps his mind calm and ends by saying that SRH are playing good cricket and he feels they are a stronger side in the playoffs.

The Presentation ceremony...

Let's recap the first innings - After being put into bat first, the DC openers added 40 runs for the first wicket, but soon enough, KL Rahul started to take charge. The KKR spinners remained ineffective for a while as Rahul struck a fifty, but the likes of Narine and others came back well. Axar Patel too played a brisk knock as the KKR seamers went the distance.

A night to forget, but not the run - Kolkata Knight Riders were out of the playoff race just a few overs in the game, but they would have wanted to finish with another win, especially in front of their home fans. Ajinkya Rahane led from the front and struck a half-century, but the KKR batters started to lose their way as the run-rate pressure started to mount. They lost wickets in a heap in the backend of the chase and were blown away by the DC bowlers.

Let's now hear from Lungi Ngidi - Ngidi says it feels good to finish on a high after an up-and-down season overall. He adds that it makes it easier for them to look back and identify where things went wrong, and says the focus next season will be on minimising the small errors. On his slower ball, he says it has taken years to build the confidence to bowl it and that playing in certain conditions and doing well is what builds that confidence, pointing to the T20 World Cup as the moment that showed him he could do it. On carrying confidence from the World Cup into the IPL, he says playing in certain conditions and doing well builds confidence, drawing a parallel with batters who seem to find everything falling into place after one good knock. He says the World Cup showed him he could do it in these conditions and that he came into the IPL with heaps of confidence and continued from where he left off. On the team's season, he says there was a stage where it looked like they might scrape the bottom of the table and that pride became one of the biggest talking points, maintaining they were never a bottom of the table side on paper. He says some of their performances made them think that doing a few things better might have put them in the playoffs, and that he is happy to end on this note. When asked about Starc's fielding and its effect on the group, he says the pacer is making them all step their game up and calls him an absolute athlete, having watched him run from long on to long on throughout a game and still come back to bowl 140 kph yorkers. He says playing alongside another international player of that quality gives him an extra level of confidence and that seeing Starc do that puts a big smile on his face.

The skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders - Ajinkya Rahane says that they needed one batter to go big and he took his chances. He says that they have had a disappointing season but they had many positives and he is proud of each and every individual in their team. He reckons that they didn't qualify and the season didn't go their way but their side gave it all. On what happens after the season ends, he says the guys have their commitments and will head home, take some time off and then connect over calls to have discussions moving forward. On his personal plans after the IPL, he says it is just a couple of days off before he heads back to play his local league in Mumbai, something he is really looking forward to. He says he is happy as long as he is playing cricket and that it will be a couple of days off and then back to it.

A team effort with the ball - The Capitals showed their might with the ball and all four of their frontline bowlers, all champs in their rights, have put on a memorable performance with the ball. DC had a big score on the board, but KKR came at them hard with the bat. However, they managed to pick wickets in a heap and in the last few overs, it was just a one-way street. Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi finished with three wickets a piece as Mitchell Starc got two as well.

Capitals win big in Kolkata - What an amazing day to round off the league stage of the 2026 IPL season, and it is Rajasthan Royals, who outlasted Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders to seal the last playoff berth. Meanwhile, DC finish their seaason with a massive win, making it three on the trot and they leapfrog KKR in the points table as well.

18.4: Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, OUT! MISTIMED AND CAUGHT! DC comprehensively beat KKR by 40 runs. At just 112.7 kph. Ngidi floats another slow, dipping off-cutter full outside off. Chakaravarthy goes after it again, doesn't pick the variation and swings hard. Gets the connection off the toe end and slices it uppishly towards cover, where Axar takes a few steps by turning back and pouches a simple catch to end KKR's misery. From 96/2, the Knight Riders have been bowled out on 163. Ngidi finishes off with a spectacular three-for.

18.3: Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, Wide yorker, with pace taken off, outside off. Varun Chakaravarthy has to reach for it to work it through the off side but misses to connect.

18.2: Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, A yorker at 137.6 kph, on middle. Varun jams the bat down and flicks it to deep mid-wicket but denies the run.

18.1: Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, FOUR! Races through! Low full toss, slanting onto the pads. Varun Chakaravarthy whips it off the inner half and finds the gap at deep backward square leg for a boundary.

17.6: Mitchell Starc to Saurabh Dubey, FOUR! Edged and beats the keeper! Very full, almost a yorker, around off and it straightens off the deck. Saurabh Dubey looks to tap it into the off side, but ekes an outside edge and the ball beats the diving Abishek Porel behind the wickets, to his right and races away to the fence.

17.5: Mitchell Starc to Saurabh Dubey, From around the stump, this is a yorker, outside off, at 144.2 kph. Saurabh Dubey drops the bat down and steers it to backward point.

Saurabh Dubey is the last man in.

17.4: Mitchell Starc to Kartik Tyagi, OUT! TAKEN EASILY! This has been a spectacular collapse for the Knight Riders. Full on off stump, angling into the batter. Kartik backs away to leg and goes for the lofted slash over mid off, but mistimes it completely. Chips a simple catch to Axar Patel, who settles under it and takes the catch. KKR are 156/9. DC need just 1 wicket to win.

17.3: Mitchell Starc to Varun Chakaravarthy, Full and tailing in on the legs. Chakaravarthy gets his bat down just in time and chips it softly towards a vacant mid on for a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy walks in at number 10.

17.2: Mitchell Starc to Anukul Roy, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Starc gets his first wicket as Roy falls. Length ball on off, tailing back in at 144.2 kph. Anukul Roy backs away to leg and looks to muscle it down the ground, but gets a splice off the top of the bat. The ball is sliced and balloons straight up and Starc, in his follow-through, calls for it, runs a bit to his left and settles under it and takes it cleanly.

Rovman Powell departs. Kartik Tyagi is the new batter.

17.1: Mitchell Starc to Anukul Roy, OUT! POWELL IS RUN OUT! That should be the game for the Capitals. A sensational piece of fielding by Rizvi. Starc misses the yorker by a yard or so, on off. Anukul Roy carves it over the bowler and they run the first one but there is a slight hesitation for the second run before they eventually get the skates on for it. Sameer Rizvi runs across to his left from long off and fires in a direct hit at the non-striker's end where Powell is caught short by a fair bit. KKR are 154/7, needing 50 runs from 17 balls.

16.6: Lungi Ngidi to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Inside edge and runs away! Spears another yorker by attacking the pads, Rovman Powell tries to take it on the full to tonk it over the off side, but gets a thick inside edge onto the pads before the ball runs between the keeper and the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. KKR need 51 runs off 18 balls.

16.5: Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, Varies the pace again by executing the slower yorker, on middle and off. Roy jams the bat down and squeezes it between cover and point for an easy single.

16.4: Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, Oh, a low full toss at 132.9 kph and it moves away while dipping, far outside off. Roy tries to drive it away but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.

16.3: Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, FOUR! Just clears the in-field! Goes pace off, on off and full in length. Anukul Roy has to wait for months for the ball to arrive and carves it over David Miller at extra cover for a boundary.

16.2: Lungi Ngidi to Rovman Powell, Fires in a yorker on middle, at pace at 135.1 kph. Rovman Powell looks to flick it away, but inside edges it onto the boot and it gets deflected behind the stumps on the off side for a single.

16.1: Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, There's the slower dipping yorker, around off. Roy carves it away to deep point for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Time for the final break in the league stage of this season. Delhi Capitals have made massive inroads in this middle over phase with Kuldeep Yadav turning the screws on. KKR have lost most of their trusted batters in the slide from 96/2 to 129/6. They still require 62 runs from 24 balls with the last recognised batting pair in the middle. Though it's doable, but both of these batters will have to bat till the end. Powell is capable and everyone knows his might and that's the wicket DC would be aiming for to slam the door shut. Lungi Ngidi is back on. 2-0-12-2 so far are his bowling figures.

15.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Kolkata Knight Riders! Short ball, on middle and leg, Rovman Powell latches onto it and pulls it powerfully hrough square leg for a boundary.

15.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Flighted up, on middle, Rovman Powell tries to block it but miscues it to the cover fielder.

15.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Anukul Roy, Two wides! Sprays it down the leg side, Anukul Roy looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to stop it as the ball deflects off the right pad and rolls behind to deep fine leg. Auqib Nabi mops it up as the batters collect a run.

15.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Much fuller, on leg, Rovman Powell flicks it through square leg for a single.

15.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Beaten! Flatter, outside off, turning away. Rovman Powell looks to block it but misses.

15.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Down the leg side, Rovman Powell looks to flick it but misses. The ball brushes his pads and goes to the keeper. A stifled appeal for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved.

15.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Two is the call from Powell straightaway and they will get it. Flighted up, on leg, Rovman Powell tucks it through backward square leg for a brace. Good running between the wickets.

14.6: Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, Fired in, full and on off, Rovman Powell taps it to cover for a quick single.

14.5: Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, Nice and full, on off, Rovman Powell pushes it to the point fielder.

14.4: Axar Patel to Anukul Roy, Axar Patel keeps it on middle and leg, Anukul Roy turns it to square leg for another run.

14.3: Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, Fired in, on off, Rovman Powell knocks it down to long off for a single.

14.2: Axar Patel to Anukul Roy, Short, on off, Anukul Roy pushes it to mid off for a single.

KKR are shellshocked with the slide. 96/2 becomes 129/6 for the hosts. Anukul Roy is in at number 8.

14.1: Axar Patel to Tejasvi Singh, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Another one bites the dust, and this chase is falling apart for the Kolkata Knight Riders. An arm ball, on off, and it keeps a tad low while drifting in. Tejasvi Singh makes room and tries to play the pull shot by using the depth of the crease, but gets an inside edge. The ball rattles the middle pole and Kolkata Knight Riders are in huge trouble now. They are 129/6 after 14.1 overs.

13.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Quicker one, on middle and leg, Rovman Powell knocks it to mid on for a single.

13.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Tejasvi Singh, Short, on off, Tejasvi Singh taps it through point for a single.

13.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Tejasvi Singh, DROPPED! Kuldeep Yadav's hat-trick goes begging and he is livid. Understandably so. Kuldeep comes around the wicket and lands the googly, full in the channel around off. It turns away and takes the feather of the outside edge through to the keeper, but Porel fails to take the catch. The ball deflects to the first slip, but lands wide of Axar Patel. The hat-trick ball has gone to waste.

This is an enormous wicket for the Capitals. 96/2 becomes 128/5 for the Knight Riders. The hosts still require 76 runs from 39 balls. Tejasvi Singh is in at number 7 and will face the Hat Trick ball.

13.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Rinku Singh, OUT! TAKEN! Back-to-back wickets for Kuldeep Yadav and Rinku Singh departs for a golden duck. Fired in from Kuldeep Yadav, on off, Rinku Singh makes room and looks to loft it, but mistimes his stroke completely. The ball carries towards wide long off. Tristan Stubbs runs to his right, dives, and takes the catch just inches above the ground. Kuldeep Yadav is on a hat-trick now.

The budding 32-run partnership is broken by Kuldeep as he has his second wicket. Rinku Singh is the new batter in at number 6.

13.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, OUT! TAKEN! Ajinkya Rahane holes out in the deep. A big wicket for Delhi Capitals. Kuldeep Yadav follows Ajinkya Rahane down the leg side. Rahane moves to his left and looks to loft it. He doesn't quite get the meat of the bat on it and the ball carries towards long on. David Miller settles under it and takes a fine catch with a reverse cup. Kolkata Knight Riders are 128/4 after 13.3 overs.

13.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Much fuller, on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for a brace.

12.6: Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, Nice and full, on off, Ajinkya Rahane pushes it down to long on for a single.

12.6: Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, Wide! A wayward bouncer, down leg, Ajinkya Rahane leaves. Wide called.

12.5: Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, Good comeback after conceding a six on the first ball. Length, on off, Rovman Powell taps it to widish point for a run.

12.4: Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, Slows it up, on off, Ajinkya Rahane knocks it to mid on for another single.

12.3: Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, Back of a length, on off, Rovman Powell punches it to wide of mid off for a single.

12.2: Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, A tad fuller, wide outside off, Rovman Powell taps it to the fielder at backward point.

12.1: Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, SIX! That is some shot from Rovman Powell! Madhav Tiwari bangs it short, on middle, Rovman Powell swivels and pulls it powerfully over deep backward square leg for a six.

Kolkata Knight Riders need 89 runs from 48 balls. Pace back on as Madhav Tiwari (1-0-9-0) returns into the attack, replacing Axar Patel.

11.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Dragged shorter this time, Ajinkya Rahane hops on the back foot and works it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

11.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Flighted full and around off, dips on the batter. Powell whips it to deep mid-wicket and collects a single.

11.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Swept and swept well. Full and on leg stump, Powell sits down and sweeps it firmly to the right of deep square leg for a boundary, second in the over.

11.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Swing and a miss! A big googly now, floated up around off. Rovman Powell looks to heave it leg side but fails to connect.

11.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Length ball on off, tapped away into the off side for a single.

11.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, FOUR! There's the boundary. Tossed up, full and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane prods forward and punches it uppishly, to the left of Kuldeep and firmly for a boundary.

10.6: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, A bit shorter now, at the stumps, worked off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for another single. The boundaries have dried up for KKR.

10.5: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, FIFTY up for Ajinkya Rahane, his 2nd of the season. Off 31 balls. This is his 35th IPL half-century as well. Good length on off and middle, worked away between long on and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. His previous fifty this season came in the first league game against MI. So it has taken a long while for the captain to get to his milestone.

10.4: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Length ball outside off, driven straight to cover.

10.3: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, A touch full around off, pushed out into the off side.

10.2: Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, The arm-ball now, darted in towards middle. Powell punches it off the back foot to long off for one more. 100 up for KKR as well.

10.1: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Good length on off, tucked away to the right of long on for a single.

Halfway through the chase. KKR are 98/3, needing 106 from 60 balls. Axar Patel is back on. 2-0-29-0 so far.

9.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Nagging length on middle, turning in. Rahane rocks back and just nudges it across through square leg for a run.

Slight halt! Kuldeep Yadav has slipped on the follow-through, and he has twisted his right ankle. He is down on the ground, and the physio is out in the middle to have a look. Kuldeep gets rid of his right boot to get the treatment. All fine now and we are good to continue...

9.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Around off stump, Rovman Powell stays back and just pats it down through mid off for a single.

A short stay for Cameron Green. Rovman Powell is the new man in.

9.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Kuldeep Yadav picks up a wicket in his first over. Kuldeep Yadav dishes out a googly, relatively full and outside off. Cameron Green gets forward and looks to tonk it down the ground, but ends up slicing it. The ball sails down to long off where David Miller takes a well-judged catch and KKR are now 96/3.

9.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Flighted this time, on off, Rahane lunges and flicks it in front of mid-wicket this time for a single.

9.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, Full again, flatter on off. Green heaves it across to long on for one more.

9.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Tossed full and on leg, wristed away in front of square leg for a single by Rahane.

8.6: Lungi Ngidi to Ajinkya Rahane, Served full and straight, eased down to long on for a single.

8.5: Lungi Ngidi to Ajinkya Rahane, FOUR! Stellar placement. Slower ball, on a length, but wide outside off. Ajinkya Rahane waits well, opens the bat face and angles it between short third and backward point for a boundary.

8.4: Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, Full-pitched delivery, angling into off. Cameron Green leans on and drives it to long off for a run.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Kolkata Knight Riders are 87/2, and they now need 117 runs from 69 balls. Delhi Capitals have managed to break this gritty stand, and they will look to build on this. Kolkata Knight Riders will try to stitch another stand now and get the game under their control. Also, let's hope that the drizzle goes away and it doesn't interrupt the game. Cameron Green walks in to bat now...

8.3: Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Starc helps his fellow pacer out and takes a stunning catch. Lungi Ngidi serves this one just back of a length and lands it on off and middle. Manish Pandey leans back and tries to power it over long on, but doesn't get the connection. Starc charges to his right from long on and does well to dive and snaffle the dipping ball with two hands. There's an umpire's review to check the legality of the catch and after a couple of replays, it is deemed a clean catch with Starc's fingers cleanly under the ball. Ngidi picks up another wicket.

It has started to drizzle here at the Eden Gardens. The groundsmen are ready with the covers on the sidelines. The umpires feel it is not that heavy enough to take the players off the field. Let's hope it is a passing shower.

8.2: Lungi Ngidi to Ajinkya Rahane, Another slower one, full and outside off, Rahane gets low and taps it square through the off side for one more.

8.1: Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, Slower one to begin with. Back of a length and around off, Manish Pandey dabs it into the off side for a single.

7.6: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, A smidge fuller on the stumps. Rahane clips it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs. A massive over for the Knight Riders, as 21 runs come off it.

7.5: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, SIX! Clean as a whistle! In-dipper into the hitting arc, full and around off. Rahane gets on the front foot by planting it to the leg side and thumps it down the ground for another biggie.

7.4: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, SIX! Runs come thick and fast for KKR! Full in length, tossed up outside off. Ajinkya Rahane stays leg side, keeps his shape intact and lofts it inside out over wide long off for a huge six.

7.3: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Slides one onto the pads, full in length, at 86.2 kph. Ajinkya Rahane tries to work it across with a flick, but the ball keeps drifting in and hits his bat, beating the inside edge.

7.2: Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, Low full toss with an inward curve, Pandey heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.1: Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, SIX! Straight as an arrow! Into the slot, full and on off. Manish Pandey springs out of the crease, gets under the ball and pumps it downtown for a big 86-meter six.

6.6: Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, Off-pace short ball, on middle. Pandey pulls it off the back foot, a bit uppishly towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

6.5: Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, FOUR! Runs away! Short of a length, angling on middle and leg. Manish Pandey swings hard across the line and hacks it off the inner half of the bat, but to the left of short fine leg for a boundary. This brings up 4000 IPL runs for Manish Pandey. He's been there for a long time and this is an incredible feat to achieve.

6.5: Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, WIDE! Miles outside the off pole, a slower one at 110.4 kph, Manish first walks out of the crease and then opts to leave.

6.4: Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, Touch full and around off. Manish comes forward and smashes it on the bounce to the bowler. Madhav Tiwari leaps and makes a half stop on the follow-through. The ball deflects to the leg side, but stays within the bowler's reach.

6.3: Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, Cuts back in and around off, on a length. Pandey lets the ball arrive and dabs it to Ashutosh Sharma at backward point.

6.2: Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, Hard length at 128.3 kph, outside off. Rahane square cuts it to the right of Kuldeep Yadav at deep point for an easy single.

6.2: Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, WIDE! Loses his radar completely. Tries the slower bumper, but misfires it far down leg. Rahane leaves. Wide called.

6.1: Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, Fairly outside off, off pace ball at just 113.5 kph, Manish Pandey crouches low and creams it to deep cover for a single.

Madhav Tiwari comes on to have a bowl now.

5.6: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, A bit flatter than the previous ball, on off, Ajinkya Rahane walks a step ahead and knocks the full ball straight to the cover fielder. KKR end their Powerplay with 55/1 on the board.

5.5: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Floats it up, full and on middle and leg. Rahane clips it to mid-wicket.

5.4: Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, Full, outside off, worked down to long off for a single.

5.3: Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, Offers a lot more air on this one and turns it away from off, full in length. Pandey eases it out to cover.

5.2: Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, SIX! Absolutely smoked! A slot ball from Patel, around off. Manish Pandey picks the length early, sits down on a knee and slogs it handsomely over long on for a biggie. Clean strike, right out of the middle. 50 UP FOR KKR!

5.1: Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Starts from around the stumps, does Axar. Lands it full and tosses it on off. Rahane drives it inside out to the left of long off for a single.

4.6: Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, FOUR! Smashed down the ground! Fuller in length and outside off. Pandey gets under it and spanks it over the non-striker and picks up a boundary to the left of long on.

4.5: Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, Another yorker is attempted, on off, Pandey clears the front leg and digs it out to mid on.

4.4: Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, Slants the yorker in on middle. Manish Pandey drops the bat down and squeezes it on the bounce to the bowler. Ngidi leaps a bit on the follow-through and collects it over his head.

4.3: Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, Back of a length, wide outside off. Pandey lets it be.

The next batter is Manish Pandey.

4.2: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, OUT! BOWLED'EM! You miss, I hit, says Ngidi. He splits the opening pair as the dangerous Allen falls. Bowls it in the channel of off, on a good length. It lands, skids and cuts back in slightly to hurry Allen into the shot. Finn stands tall and tries to heave it over mid on, but plays all over it and gets an inside edge. The ball makes an absolute mess of the stumps behind. Kolkata Knight Riders are 43/1, needing 161 runs.

4.1: Lungi Ngidi to Finn Allen, On the money! Hits the hard length, angling into the batter's body. Finn Allen rides the bounce, plays on the up and punches it straight to the fielder at cover.

32 runs in the last 2 overs for KKR. They are up and about in the chase. Lungi Ngidi is into the attack now, replacing Mitchell Starc.

3.6: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, SIX AGAIN! Big over for KKR! Length again, on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane picks the length early and pulls it powerfully over deep square leg for another six.

3.5: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, SIX! Smashed over long on for half a dozen! Good length, on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane picks it well and launches it over long on for a biggie.

3.4: Auqib Nabi to Finn Allen, Hard length, on middle and leg, Finn Allen turns it through backward square leg for a single.

3.3: Auqib Nabi to Finn Allen, Length again, on off, Finn Allen pushes it to the left of the bowler.

3.2: Auqib Nabi to Finn Allen, FOUR! Times it in the gap! Good length, on middle and leg, Finn Allen waits for the ball and flicks it magnificently in the gap through mid-wicket for a boundary.

3.1: Auqib Nabi to Finn Allen, Auqib Nabi keeps it full, on off, Finn Allen drives it to the fielder at extra cover.

2.6: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, FOUR! Not where he intended! Mitchell Starc goes full, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane throws a kitchen sink at it. Gets a thick outside edge as the ball flies over backward point for a boundary on the bounce.

Halt in play. Rahane wants his bat exchanged as the current one has taken a really bad hit off the bottom. Couldn't have struck any worse. The reserve player is out with a couple of options. Rahane picks another one and is good to go.

2.5: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, Much fuller, on off, Ajinkya Rahane forces it off the bottom of his bat to the fielder at mid off.

2.4: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Hard length, just outside off, Finn Allen taps it to the left of the keeper and scampers across for a single.

2.3: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Much fuller, on off, Finn Allen eases it to the fielder at backward point.

2.2: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, FOUR! Neatly guided to the fence! Too full, just outside off, Finn Allen waits for the ball, opens the face of his bat, and guides it through short third for a boundary.

2.1: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, SIX! High and handsome! Mitchell Starc bowls a fuller one, on off, Finn Allen stays in his crease and lofts it effortlessly over long off for a biggie. 

KKR need 193 runs in 108 balls. Mitchell Starc to continue. 1-0-5-0 so far.

1.6: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, Leading edge, safe! Nice and full, on off, Ajinkya Rahane looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball flies over the point fielder and lands safely in the deep. The batters collect a couple of runs.

1.5: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, Beaten again! Good length, outside off, nipping in. Ajinkya Rahane tries to loft it but gets beaten on the inside edge.

1.4: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, Past the edge! Length ball, outside off, with a hint of away movement. Ajinkya Rahane swings hard but misses.

1.3: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, FOUR! Ajinkya Rahane takes the aerial route! A tad fuller, on off, Ajinkya Rahane picks it well and launches it over wide mid-wicket for a boundary on the bounce.

1.2: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, Good length, on off, Ajinkya Rahane blocks it to the left of the bowler.

1.1: Auqib Nabi to Ajinkya Rahane, Auqib Nabi starts with a length ball, on the leg side. Ajinkya Rahane looks to flick it but misses and wears it on his pads. An appeal, but nothing from the umpire. Axar Patel has a chat with Abishek Porel and Auqib Nabi and decides to send it upstairs. Ultra Edge shows no spike. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is umpire's call and it is just missing the leg stump. The on-field decision stands NOT OUT!

Decent start from Starc. Auqib Nabi to bowl from the opposite end.

0.6: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Nice and full, on middle, Finn Allen digs it to mid on. A fine over from Mitchell Starc.

0.5: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Oh! This one comes in. Too full, just outside off, swinging in. Finn Allen looks to play at it but the ball goes from under his blade and just misses the off pole. Abishek Porel appeals for a caught behind, but gets no support from the others. Dot.

0.4: Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, FOUR! Finn Allen gets off the mark in style! Hard length, outside off, Finn Allen latches onto it and times it perfectly through mid off for a boundary. A forehand cross-court kind of a shot from Allen to open his account.

0.3: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, Ajinkya Rahane and KKR are underway. A tad fuller, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane pushes it to cover for a single.

0.2: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, A wide yorker this time, Ajinkya Rahane digs it to the fielder at mid off.

0.1: Mitchell Starc to Ajinkya Rahane, Beaten straightaway! Back of a length from Mitchell Starc, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane tries to slap it but misses.

We are back for the chase. The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Delhi Capitals. DC have subbed in Kuldeep Yadav for KL Rahul. It will be the duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen to open the innings for KKR. Mitchell Starc to get proceedings underway with the ball.

... The Run Chase ...

204 to win, who blinks first? While KKR’s bowling unit put up a decent fight with Saurabh Dubey picking up two while Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Anukul Roy picking up a wicket apiece, they lacked the lethal, breakthrough edge required to completely stall Delhi's momentum. While it was not an entirely hell-for-leather display, Delhi's calculated aggression in the final overs ensured they maintained a high scoring rate to post a highly challenging target. Even though KKR fought hard to prevent the game from drifting entirely out of their reach, the upcoming chase promises absolute high drama for the spectators. The imminent arrival of dew is expected to significantly ease batting conditions, giving the chasing side a timely boost. Furthermore, a tantalising individual battle between Finn Allen and Mitchell Starc looms large, a marquee contest that could very well dictate which team seizes the ultimate upper hand in the second half.

KKR's best bowler is up for a chat - Saurabh Dubey, on his bowling performance, says that he is happy that the plan worked with the new ball and the old ball as well. Adds that he just executed the plan and got the result. On his bowling approach, he says that with the new ball, he always focuses on swinging it, keeping the line and length intact. With the old ball, he always tries to make use of the bigger size of the ground. On the experience from IPL, he says that you need to have a clear mindset. Taking the learning from the best is very crucial. He adds that he always discusses with Tim Southee and Dj Bravo on how to read the conditions better and how to react in certain match situations. 

Middle-overs onslaught defies KKR control - The middle phase of the innings saw Delhi continuously press the accelerator, systematically dismantling KKR's attempts to build sustained pressure. Over the next ten overs, DC capitalised heavily on their strong start by plundering an additional 97 runs while shedding just two wickets, comfortably placing them at 150 for 3 by the end of the 16th over. Alongside Rahul's phenomenal performance, Axar Patel and Sahil Parakh chipped in with vital cameos that kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid rate. Towards the end of the innings, it was a combined effort from the middle-order and finishers of DC that helped them post over 200. 

Delhi constructs a formidable platform - Opting to field first, the Kolkata Knight Riders struggled to make early inroads as the Delhi Capitals mounted a calculated, highly productive start to lay the groundwork for their eventual total of 203 for 5. Delhi navigated the initial field restrictions with immense composure, motoring to a secure 53 for 1 during the Powerplay. Opener KL Rahul played a good hand, finding his rhythm quickly to top-score with a quick-fire 60. This sturdy opening platform set a dominant tone for the visitors, allowing them to dictate the tempo of the game right from the outset without succumbing to any early panic.

19.6: Saurabh Dubey to Ashutosh Sharma, DROPPED! Should have been taken, a second drop catch by the keeper, Tejasvi Singh and Delhi Capitals finish with 203/5 on the board. A yorker, angled across off. Ashutosh Sharma hangs deep and plays it late, opening the face of the blade as he looks to guide it between the keeper and short third but doesn't get the angle. Tejasvi dives to his right and spills a low chance as the batters manage to pick up a single.

19.5: Saurabh Dubey to Tristan Stubbs, Well bowled. Slower one, pitched up around off, the ball grips and moves further away. Tristan Stubbs swings and misses and the batters manage to sneak in a bye.

Tristan Stubbs to walk out next. Just two more balls left.

19.4: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, OUT! CAUGHT! A reprieve for Saurabh Dubey and KKR as David Miller fails to put away a bad ball. Another juicy full toss, just outside off. Miller looks to power it over mid off, but the bat tilts in his hand and he ends up snatching at it. Miller hits it flat to a straightish mid on, where Finn Allen gobbles it up around his face.

19.4: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, WIDE! Another one. Miller shuffles to the off side, Dubey attempts a slower one, but spills it well beyond the tramline yet again.

19.4: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, WIDE! Very full and sprayed well beyond the tramline outside off. 200 comes up for DC now.

19.3: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, SIX! In the slot, and that's bread and butter for David Miller. Overpitched delivery, wide outside off, Miller hangs back and extends the arms, launching it high and deep over long on for another biggie.

19.2: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, Much better from Dubey. A wide yorker, Miller looks to reach for it and hit it through the off side but toe-ends it to nowhere. It seems like Miller has chipped his blade a bit and is asking for a bat change.

19.1: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, SIX! High and handsome. A juicy full toss on off, David Miller hangs back and gets inside the line, swinging it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

18.6: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, SIX! A shot and a half from Ashutosh Sharma to end the over, 12 off it. Full and fast, wide outside off. Sharma hangs back, leans to the off side and powers it off the back foot over deep extra cover for a six.

18.5: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, Sharma needs to get bat on ball here. Another fast delivery, on a hard length and outside off. Sharma goes back and away to the off side to hit it through covers, but misses.

18.4: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, Trying to be a bit too cute here. Good length, hammered into the deck, over middle. Ashutosh Sharma goes for the reverse lap and fails to connect.

18.4: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, No ball! Oh, that's nearly cleaned up Ashutosh. However, Ajinkya Rahane has reviewed the No Ball call here. Coming to the ball, Ashutosh Sharma tries to shuffle past the off stump and Kartik Tyagi follows him with a high full toss, which Sharma sways his head away from. The third umpire checks Ball Tracker again and finds that the waist height is 1.049 meters and the ball is passing at 1.078 meters. No Ball stands and Free Hit to follow.

18.3: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! How's Ashutosh Sharma managed to do that? A wide yorker, at brisk pace as well. Sharma reaches out to squeeze it away but the ball gets jammed into the deck off the back side of the bat and it goes over the keeper for a boundary.

18.2: Kartik Tyagi to Ashutosh Sharma, A wide yorker, flirting with the tramline, and it is called a wide. Seemed just inside the tramline and KKR do review this one. The third umpire is called into action once again. The replays show that the ball is passing within the revised guideline and the on-field decision is changed.

18.1: Kartik Tyagi to David Miller, Was that too high? Brisk pace from Tyagi, and he ends up bowling a waist-height full toss on leg. David Miller awkwardly hits it through mid-wicket for a single. DC do review because it is called a fair delivery. Initial replays suggest it is close to waist height. The graphics then show that Miller's waist height is 1.069 meters, and the ball is passing through at 0.836 meters, so it stays a fair delivery.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? Kartik Tyagi will bowl out. 

17.6: Saurabh Dubey to Ashutosh Sharma, FOUR! Smartly played. Slower bumper, dug in well short over off. Ashutosh Sharma reaches up over his head and ramps it over the keeper and the ball rolls into the third man fence.

17.5: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, This is excellent bowling from Dubey. He nails the yorker around the fifth stump line and all Miller can do is dig it out to long on for another single.

17.4: Saurabh Dubey to Ashutosh Sharma, A full toss now, knee height and outside off. Ashutosh Sharma just caresses it away to deep point for one more.

17.3: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, Pace off, on a length and wide outside off. Miller walks past the off stump, looking to swing it leg side, but miscues it through mid on for a run.

17.2: Saurabh Dubey to David Miller, Full and wide, hugging the tramline outside off. Miller reaches for it and laces the square drive but finds the fielder at point. 

17.1: Saurabh Dubey to Ashutosh Sharma, Pitched full and just outside off, slower too. Sharma looks to drive but gets an outside edge towards short third and picks up a single.

16.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Ashutosh Sharma, Flatter one on the pads, wokred away from inside the crease, through square leg and for a single.

A big, big wicket for KKR. Ashutosh Sharma is the new man at the crease.

16.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, OUT! CAUGHT! A pretty similar dismissal to that of KL Rahul, and Varun Chakaravarthy does get instant revenge on Axar Patel. Varun floats it a bit full and wide outside off, this time Patel looks to fetch and drag it leg side. He gets it off the toe end of the bat and straight to Rinku Singh at long on, who makes no mistake. DC are 166/4 now.

16.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Nice and full, outside off, hammered away uppishly and wide of deep cover for a couple of handy runs by Axar.

16.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, WIDE! And again. A bit fuller, but this is well outside the line of off stump as well.

16.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, WIDE! A change in line, forced by the big hit and Varun ends up firing this one beyond the tramline outside off.

The ball is lost just behind the sightscreen. The groundsmen are searching for it. Meanwhile, the third umpire has opted to get a new used ball.

16.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, SIX! Fast hands from Axar Patel. Quicker one, on middle, Patel makes a bit of room and hits through the line, forcing the lofted shot straight down the ground. According to the on-air commentators, this is Axar's 100th six in the IPL. Also, it seems like the ball is lost under the sightscreen.

16.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Fullish length, darted wide of the off stump. Patel fails to reach it and it's just inside the tramline.

16.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, SIX! The new bat seems to be working for Axar Patel. Tossed up on leg stump, Patel goes down on one knee and wallops the slog sweeps in front of square leg for a biggie. Axar just changed his bat between overs.

15.6: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Much fuller, just outside off, Axar Patel drills it along the carpet to long off and gets an easy single.

15.5: Kartik Tyagi to David Miller, Full and around off, David Miller slices this to deep point for a single. 

15.4: Kartik Tyagi to David Miller, On a good length, slanting it away from the left-hander. David Miller looks to spank it over cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

15.3: Kartik Tyagi to David Miller, SIX! Smashed out of the park. Kartik looks to bowl a short one but this doesn't bounce much and sits well for the Protea finisher. David Miller creates a stable stance to free his arms and pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket region and well over the ropes. That's also Miller's 150th six in the IPL.

15.2: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, Full-length delivery, at the stump. Axar Patel punches it to deep mid-wicket and gets a single.

15.1: Kartik Tyagi to David Miller, Back of a length, around off, David Miller slogs this towards the right of deep square leg for one.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Right then, 5 overs to go and Delhi Capitals would love to get 60 off it and breach the 200-run mark. Axar Patel is set and they have plenty of batting to come, but they will hope that David Miller finds his range soon. On the flip side, KKR have pulled things back a touch after a surge in the opposition's run rate in the middle overs and will be hoping to keep DC down to anything around 180-190 runs. Also, Kartik Tyagi is back on. He's conceded 33 runs in his 2 overs thus far. KKR also make an Impact Sub, bringing on Finn Allen in place of Sunil Narine.

Sunil Narine is substituted by Finn Allen

14.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to David Miller, Flatter trajectory, fuller in length around middle. David Miller pushes it to long off and gets an easy single.

14.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Fuller around middle and leg, Axar Patel sweeps this to deep square leg for a single. 

14.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to David Miller, On a length, around the leg stump. David Miller makes a bit of room and tries to sweep it, but gets beaten on the inside edge and hits his left thigh, before the ball rolls to short third. Leg bye taken.

14.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Straight one, around off, Axar Patel smashes this down to long off for a single. 

14.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Axar Patel, Chakaravarthy sees the batter making room, therefore he follow the batter, bowling down the leg side. Axar Patel cramps for room and tucks it to short fine leg. 

14.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to David Miller, Googly around middle and off, David Miller flicks this to the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single. 

Varun Chakaravarthy (2-0-14-0) returns to the attack.

13.6: Cameron Green to Axar Patel, FOUR! Green had a tidy over, but this last delivery spoiled it all. Good-length delivery, outside off. Axar Patel opens his stance and drills it through cover for four more runs.

13.5: Cameron Green to David Miller, Short-pitched delivery, around middle and off, David Miller pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a single. 

13.4: Cameron Green to David Miller, Full-length delivery, just outside off, David Miller punches it from the outer part of his bat to the point fielder.

13.3: Cameron Green to Axar Patel, Hard length, on top of off, Axar Patel loses his body shape as he looks to muscle this one. Axar slices this from the outer half of his bat towards sweeper cover for a run. 

13.2: Cameron Green to David Miller, Pitches it up, does Green, pitching it around the leg stump and angling in. David Miller tucks it to deep square leg and gets a single.

13.1: Cameron Green to Axar Patel, LEG BYE! Back of a length, around the pads, Axar Patel looks to tuck this around mid-wicket but misses out and the ball clips his pads and deflects towards short third for a leg bye. 

Cameron Green is back into the attack. He went for 14 in his first over.

12.6: Anukul Roy to Axar Patel, Fuller, around the pads of the batter. Axar Patel swipes it to deep backward square leg for a single.

12.5: Anukul Roy to David Miller, Fired onto the pads, David Miller flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

David Miller is in at number for DC.

12.4: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, OUT! CAUGHT! Roy gets the last laugh as he picks up the wicket of KL Rahul. Flighted, wide of off, KL Rahul goes down on a knee and looks to clear the long on fence. Rahul fails to get right underneath the ball and doesn't get enough power to clear the fence. Rahul hits this towards the right of Rovman Powell at long on. Rovman moves to his right and holds onto a regulation catch. KL Rahul departs after a fine knock.

12.3: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, FOUR! Short of a length, around off, width on offer, KL Rahul rises with the bounce and slaps this through the left of the fielder at extra cover for a boundary. 

12.3: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, WIDE! Roy bowls this on the wrong side of the tramline on off. KL Rahul leaves it. Wided.

12.2: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, FOUR! Hammered away! Arm ball from Roy, angling in, toward the middle stump. KL Rahul reads the delivery like a book, as he opens his stance and pulls it hard into the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for four runs.

12.2: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, WIDE! Fuller in length, pitching it around the tramline, outside off and turns it away from the batter. KL Rahul makes a leave and gets the bonus run.

12.1: Anukul Roy to Axar Patel, Quicker one, on the pads, Axar Patel flicks this through backward square leg for a single. 

Anukul Roy (1-0-10-0) is back on.

11.6: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Pitches it up, a touch fuller, on off, Axar Patel goes deep into the crease and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a comfortable single.

11.5: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Short of a length, around the pads, KL Rahul pulls this flat towards the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single. 

11.4: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Tap and run! Tossed up, fuller, on middle, Axar Patel plays it with soft hands toward cover and takes a quick single.

11.3: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Fuller around off, Axar Patel drives this towards the right of Sunil for a dot.

11.2: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Slower through the air from Narine as he sees the batter making room. He bowls it just outside off. Axar Patel extends his arms and slaps it to wide deep point for a couple of runs.

11.1: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Sunil comes around the stumps and bowls it short of a length, on middle and leg. KL Rahul gets up on his toes and punches this down to long off for a single. 

Sunil Narine to bowl out here.

10.6: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, FOUR! More runs for DC. Short of a length, outside off, Axar Patel stands tall, gets to the top of the bounce and spanks it between backward point and deep third man for four more runs. 20 runs coming from the over!

10.5: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, FOUR! Short and around the ribs of Axar. The DC skipper gets inside the line of the ball and hooks this away towards the left of the fielder at fine leg for a boundary. 

10.4: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, FIFTY FOR RAHUL! Change of pace from Tyagi, asking the batter to hit at it. Rahul stays sharp and cuts it gently to deep cover-point and gets the single. He raises his bat and soaks in all the applause around the stadium. Also, Delhi Capitals bring up their 100.

10.3: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, SIX! MAJESTIC FROM RAHUL. Good length, around off, KL Rahul presses in front and towards the pitch of the ball. Rahul gets on top of the bounce and plays the lofted drive for a biggie over the fence towards deep extra cover region. 

10.2: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, FOUR! CRACKED! Back of a length, just outside off. KL Rahul rocks back and cuts at it hard toward the right of the backward point fielder. Cameron Green sprints from the deep cover region, to his left and dives, but fails to make the stop. 

10.1: Kartik Tyagi to Axar Patel, On a length, around off, Axar Patel pushes this from the inner half of his bat towards mid off for a quick single. 

Delhi Capitals are 88/2 after the first 10 overs of their innings. Also, Kartik Tyagi is back in, replacing Varun Chakaravarthy in the attack.

9.6: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Shortish, outside off, Patel frees his arms and cuts it to deep point for a single.

9.5: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Quicker one, turning back into the batter, on middle and leg. Axar Patel blocks this off his back foot.

9.4: Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Beaten! Another lovely off-break from Narine, just outside off. Axar Patel gets on his front foot to work it across the line, but misses on the outside edge.

Axar Patel walks out to bat next for DC.

9.3: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, OUT! CAUGHT! Off-break from the spin maestro, and this one grips a bit as well. Short of a length, around off, Sahil Parakh looks to hit this over the fielder at covers but he checks his lofted stroke and ends up chipping this straight into the hands of Ajinkya Rahane at covers. Rahane makes no mistake and takes a dolly to send Sahil back. 

9.2: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Short of a length, on middle, KL Rahul opens his stance and pulls it down to left of deep square leg for a single.

9.1: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, SIX! OUT OF THE PARK FROM RAHUL! Sunil Narine comes around the stumps and bowls it full and around off, KL Rahul clears his front foot and smashes this over the fence towards the long on region for a biggie. 

Sunil Narine to continue...

8.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to KL Rahul, Varun Chakaravarthy drags his length back once again, on off. KL Rahul tucks it from his back foot to wide long on and gets an easy single. 10 runs from the over!

8.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, Short of a length, around off, Sahil Parakh gets up on his toes, punches this off his back foot towards sweeper cover for a single.

8.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, FOUR! Oh, that's an exceptional shot from Parakh. Full-length delivery, on middle and off. Sahil Parakh brings out his reverse sweep and hits it well over the backward point region for another boundary.

8.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, Googly, going across the batter, Sahil Parakh slashes hard at it but connects only with thin air.

8.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, FOUR! Up and over! Floated and fuller, just outside the off pole. Sahil Parakh prods toward the delivery and lofts it, opening the face of the bat, over the leaping cover fielder. The ball dribbles toward the deep cover fence for four runs.

8.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, Quicker one, into the pitch and wide outside off, Sahil Parakh rocks back and looks to play the square cut but misses out.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A pretty even-stevens first 8 overs of the game, and surprisingly, Sunil Narine has been attacked by the DC batters. KKR will be disappointed that this is now a bit of a dead rubber, but will still like to finish with a win. Saurabh Dubey has been the pick of the bowlers so far, and they will hope that Varun Chakaravarthy comes good as well. Meanwhile, Rahul is really starting to get a move on now and if stays around for a few overs more, he can be lethal.

7.6: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Half-hearted appeal for LBW, as Narine knows that the ball has pitched outside leg. A touch fuller around the pads of the batter. KL Rahul looks to sweep it but misses and gets pinged on the front pad, before the ball rolls to backward point.

7.5: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, Short of a length, around off, Sahil Parakh gets deep inside the crease and cuts this to deep point for a run.

7.4: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Short, on middle, KL Rahul clips it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.3: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, FOUR! Tossed up, around off, KL Rahul skips down the track again, gets right on top of the bounce and lofts this over the bowler for a boundary in front of the sight screen. 

7.2: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, SIX! BANG! That has been smoked away. Narine tosses it up, fuller, around off. KL Rahul puts on his dancing shoes, skips down the track and launches it over the long on region for half a dozen. There is a fielder stationed in the region, but all he can do is watch the ball flying over him.

7.1: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, Tossed up, around off, Sahil Parakh stays leg side of the ball and cuts this through covers for a single. 

6.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, Fullish and way outside off. Sahil Parakh punches it to deep cover-point and gets an easy single. Decent start from Varun Chakaravarthy, just four from it!

6.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to KL Rahul, Seam up, straight one, short and wide of off. KL Rahul cuts this off his back foot towards deep point for a single. 

6.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, A touch fuller, outside off. Sahil Parakh opens his stance and slaps it to deep cover to get a single.

6.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahil Parakh, Varun comes around the stumps and Sahil Parakh rocks back and cuts this towards the backward point fielder.

6.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to KL Rahul, Short, on middle, KL Rahul tucks it to the leg side and gets a single.

6.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to KL Rahul, Varun starts with a googly, into the batter. KL Rahul rocks back and blocks this out.

End of the Powerplay! Delhi Capitals have done pretty well, especially with the help of Abishek Porel's sturdy start. Saurabh Dubey is the only bowler who has put enough pressure on the opposition batters.Also, Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack now. It seems like he is playing with a hairline fracture on one of his toes.

5.6: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, FOUR! Enough power on it to clear the infield. Length ball on leg, Parakh backs away and shanks it over mid on for a boundary to end the Powerplay. 50 up for DC as well.

5.5: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, Dragged short on off, punched off the back foot, but straight to cover.

5.4: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, DROPPED! By Rinku Singh's standards, that is a simple catch. Floated up on the stumps, Sahil Parakh plays the reverse sweep and nails it, but he hits it a few inches above the ground. Rinku just moves low to his right and gets both hands on it, but the ball pops out.

5.3: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, SIX! That's a hefty blow from Sahil Parakh. Flighted up, too full, on middle and leg, Parakh clears the front leg and hammers it straight down the ground for a biggie.

5.2: Sunil Narine to Sahil Parakh, Nagging length, angling across off, Parakh makes room to cut but jars at it and gets an outside edge towards short third.

5.1: Sunil Narine to KL Rahul, Nicely flighted, fuller and on off. Rahul leans on, covers the line well and clips it down to long on for a single.

Excellent second over from Saurabh Dubey, a wicket and just three runs from it. Sunil Narine joins the attack now.

4.6: Saurabh Dubey to KL Rahul, Back of a length, angled well across off, tapped away to the right of deep backward point for a single.

4.5: Saurabh Dubey to KL Rahul, Just short! Slower one, full and around off. KL Rahul is early into the drive and ends up dragging it across to mid on, where the ball lands in front of Sunil Narine.

4.4: Saurabh Dubey to Sahil Parakh, Back of a length and outside off, steered behind point for a single by Sahil Parakh.

First breakthrough for Kolkata Knight Riders. Sahil Parakh walks out next, replacing Abishek Porel.

4.3: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! No mistake this time, from Tejasvi Singh and Abishek Porel has to walk back. Lovely piece of bowling from Saurabh Dubey, as he serves it a touch fuller and just outside off, making the ball shape away as well. Porel is drawn into the drive but ends up nicking it behind. Tejasvi lunges forward and pouches it nicely with both hands. The 40-run opening stand comes to an end.

4.2: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, Good carry again. At just 130.5 kph, bowled into the pitch and outside off. Porel hops up to slash it over point but is beaten by the extra bounce.

4.2: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, WIDE! Pitched up, wide outside off, landing it beyond the tramline outside off. Porel reaches for it and then decides to leave it alone.

4.1: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, Hard length, in and around off, angling in, Porel pushes it down the pitch.

Change of ends for Saurabh Dubey.

3.6: Kartik Tyagi to Abishek Porel, Sharp fielding in the deep. Shortish length on leg, hoicked off the hips, to the right of fine leg. Anukul Roy sprints across and cuts it off, keeping it down to a single.

3.5: Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, On a good length, outside off, zips off the deck. Rahul steers it through backward point fo a run.

Alright then, we have the news that Rajasthan Royals have won the match in Wankhede against the Mumbai Indians by 30 runs. That means even if Kolkata wins here, it won't matter as the last spot of the playoff has been sealed by Rajasthan Royals.

3.4: Kartik Tyagi to Abishek Porel, A rare sight at Eden Gardens, as the batters run three. Full-pitched delivery outside off, driven between mid off and covers, not sweetly timed and it is cut off.

3.3: Kartik Tyagi to Abishek Porel, EDGED AND DROPPED! That should have been taken by Tejasvi Singh. Hard length, darted across off, Abishek Porel throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies to the left of the keeper, who spills it.

3.2: Kartik Tyagi to Abishek Porel, FOUR! Top shot! Just full of a good length, in and around off, Porel plays a lovely high-elbow off drive and nails it well to the left of mid off for another boundary.

3.1: Kartik Tyagi to Abishek Porel, EDGED AND FOUR! Express pace from Tyagi, around 148 kph and just angled across the left-hander. Abishek Porel is drawn into the drive but the ball flies off the outside edge and wide of fly slip, into the third man fence.

Green has an expensive start. Now comes Kartik Tyagi, replacing Saurabh Dubey.

2.6: Cameron Green to KL Rahul, Pitched full and straight, angled in. Rahul clips it to the right of the fielder at mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs in the deep. DC are 26/0 after 3.

2.5: Cameron Green to KL Rahul, FOUR! That's sheer class from Rahul. Good-length delivery, around the top of off. Rahul hits through the line, nailing it over mid off for a boundary, and he holds the pose as well.

2.4: Cameron Green to KL Rahul, SIX! Picked up and dumped into the stands. Full and outside off, KL Rahul lunges across to get inside the line and hoicks it away handsomely over deep square leg for the first six of the contest.

2.3: Cameron Green to KL Rahul, Good length over off, just slants in a touch. Rahul hangs back and defends it to cover-point.

2.2: Cameron Green to Abishek Porel, Green comes around the wicket to the left-hander, serves it full and angles it into the stumps. Porel drives it to mid on for a quick single.

2.1: Cameron Green to KL Rahul, Ooh, a bit of extra bounce straightaway for Green. Green bashes the hard length over middle, Rahul gets taken aback by the extra bounce and fends it off the gloves on the leg side, collecting a single.

A pretty good start from Saurabh Dubey. Cameron Green comes into the attack now and replaces the spinner, Anukul Roy.

1.6: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, Porel simply can't get away, just 2 runs off Saurabh Dubey's first over. Back of a length again, just outside off, Porel miscues the cut off the under edge and it goes to point.

1.5: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, Dubey is bowling in some good areas right now. Just back of a length, tight line around off, Porel rocks back and pats it down in front of point.

1.5: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, WIDE! Hard-length delivery, wide outside off, goes further away. Porel reaches for it and looks to cut, but misses.

1.4: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, Swing and a miss! Pitched a bit further up and outside off, the ball swings away as well. Abishek Porel comes down the track to go over covers but is well beaten.

1.3: Saurabh Dubey to Abishek Porel, On a good length again, in the corridor of uncertainty. Porel hangs back to square drive but gets an inside edge back onto the deck.

1.2: Saurabh Dubey to KL Rahul, Drop and run! Good length, around the top of off, Rahul hops back and nudges it with soft hands into the off side, picking up a quick single.

1.1: Saurabh Dubey to KL Rahul, Hit on the up but straight to the fielder. Hung outside off, full and enough room to free the arms. Rahul reaches out and drives it to the cover fielder.

Pace from the other end? Saurabh Dubey it is, with one slip in place.

0.6: Anukul Roy to KL Rahul, Nicely bowled, but that's good running as well. Flighted, full and drifted into leg. KL Rahul makes room to cover drive but gets it off the inside half of the bat to mid on, pinching a quick single as well. 10 off the first over.

0.5: Anukul Roy to Abishek Porel, Bowled flatter and on off, punched away off the back foot and wide to the right of Cameron Green at mid off for a run.

0.4: Anukul Roy to Abishek Porel, FOUR! Uppish but in the gap. Flighted one outside off, Abishek Porel leans on and strokes it between mid off and extra cover for another boundary.

0.3: Anukul Roy to Abishek Porel, FOUR! This time, Porel puts it away and DC are up and running. Another short ball around leg, Porel goes deep in the crease and hacks it past square leg for a boundary.

0.2: Anukul Roy to Abishek Porel, Quick and short again, darted across off, Porel rocks back and jams it firmly to cover.

0.1: Anukul Roy to Abishek Porel, Swing and a miss! Dragged short to begin with, around leg. Abishek Porel swivels back to pull but misses and gets hit on the pads.

All set to get underway for this final group stage match here in Eden Gardens. Aaron Finch rings the bell, and with that, the two umpires stride toward the center of the park. The players of Knight Riders are taking their respective fielding positions. KL Rahul and Abishek Porel will be the openers for the Delhi Capitals. Anukul Roy will start the proceedings with the new ball. Porel to take the strike. Away we go...

What's happening in Wankhede?The penultimate league game of the 2026 IPL season is turning into a real humdinger. Mumbai Indians have bounced back and are currently 147/5 after 15 overs, needing 59 more off 30 balls, and if they do get there, Rajasthan Royals will be out of the tournament. Also, then KKR will have a chance to leapfrog Punjab Kings, who currently sit in P4, but KKR will have to chase down the target, even if it is in excess of 200 runs, in about 12-13 overs. We will bring you the latest equations as we go on.

Impact Player options for DC - Tripurana Vijay, Sameer Rizvi, Vipraj Nigam, Nitish Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (WK), Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma (In for Tripurana Vijay), Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi (In for Mukesh Kumar), Lungi Ngidi, and Mitchell Starc.

Impact Player options for KKR -  Sarthak Ranjan, Vaibhav Arora, Finn Allen, Ramandeep Singh, and Rahul Tripathi.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane (C), Tejasvi Singh (WK) (In for Angkrish Raghuvanshi), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Saurabh Dubey.

The skipper of DC - Axar Patel says he was looking to bowl first as they have been a good chasing side, and the deck is also looking good to chase. Axar mentions that they have not played bad cricket, but they've been unlucky and they have just lost key moments throughout the league stage, and they'll need to look into it and learn before they move on. Axar adds that the small moments where they weren't at their best and the lack of execution of their plans is why they are already knocked out, but they'll learn. Axar informs that they have a couple of changes with Auqib Nabi and Kuldeep Yadav coming back in for Mukesh Kumar and Tripurana Vijay.

The captain of KKR - Ajinkya Rahane opts to bowl first and mentions that the main reason for that is that it is a chasing ground and they will also be aware of the equation they need to qualify depending on the other game that is going on, but they are feeling positive. He also says that they will play their game no matter what the circumstances are. On the team's performance, he says that he is really happy with the unit as they have made an exceptional comeback. Ends up saying that they will go with the same playing XI.

TOSS - It's toss time in Kolkata. Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel are out in the middle, and it will be Rahane to spin it. Axar calls it incorrectly, and Kolkata Knight Riders will BOWL first.