In the 70th and final league match of TATA IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Delhi Capitals signed off their campaign on a high with a commanding 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. DC posted a formidable 203/5, powered by KL Rahul’s explosive 60 off 30 balls, before their bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav’s match-winning 3/29, dismantled KKR for 163 in 18.4 overs.
DC’s Explosive Batting Display
Opting to bat first, DC got off to a solid start despite losing Abishek Porel early for 22. KL Rahul lit up the Eden Gardens with a blistering half-century (60 off 30, 5 fours and 4 sixes), his elegant drives and power-hitting setting the tone. He found good support from Sahil Parakh (24) and Axar Patel (39 off 25), while David Miller chipped in with a quick 28. Ashutosh Sharma remained unbeaten on 18 as DC crossed the 200-run mark comfortably.
KKR’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow, with Saurabh Dubey picking up 2/28 and Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy taking one wicket each. The home side’s bowling attack looked ordinary on a pitch that offered good batting conditions under lights.
Kuldeep’s Magic and Ngidi’s Finishing Touch
Chasing 204, KKR started aggressively with captain Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen (20), reaching 55/1 in the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted dramatically once Kuldeep Yadav entered the attack. The wrist-spinner, returning strongly, triggered a middle-order collapse.
Kuldeep first dismissed Cameron Green, then removed Rahane for a well-made 63 (off 39 balls) and followed it up by trapping Rinku Singh for a golden duck on the very next ball—coming agonizingly close to a hat-trick (a dropped chance denied him the feat). His spell of 3/29 was the highlight of the innings.
Lungi Ngidi complemented him brilliantly with 3/27, cleaning up the tail including Finn Allen early and Varun Chakravarthy at the end. Mitchell Starc and Axar Patel also picked up two and one wickets respectively. KKR’s lower order crumbled under pressure, with Rovman Powell’s 29 being the only other notable contribution.
Key Takeaways and Season Context
- Player of the Match: Kuldeep Yadav for his impactful 3/29.
- This was a dead-rubber for both sides as neither qualified for the playoffs (top four teams advanced with 18+ points; DC finished 6th with 14 points).
- KL Rahul ended the season on a personal high with strong numbers.
- For KKR, despite a loyal home crowd, the batting collapse highlighted areas for improvement ahead of next season.
The match provided entertainment till the end, showcasing the high-scoring nature of T20 cricket. Delhi Capitals will take heart from this all-round performance as they head into the off-season, while KKR will look to regroup after missing out on the business end.
Watch the Highlights of this Match: JioHotstar
