Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Match Highlights & Results

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 begin 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.

Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, OUT! c Axar Patel b Lungi Ngidi.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.

Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, No run.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.

Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, No run.A yorker at 137.6 kph, on middle. Varun jams the bat down and flicks it to deep mid-wicket but denies the run.

Lungi Ngidi to Varun Chakaravarthy, Four!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.

Mitchell Starc to Saurabh Dubey, Four!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.

Mitchell Starc to Saurabh Dubey, No run.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.

Mitchell Starc to Kartik Tyagi, OUT! c Axar Patel b Mitchell Starc.OUT! TAKEN EASILY! This has been a monumental collapse from 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.

Mitchell Starc to Varun Chakaravarthy, 1 run.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.

Mitchell Starc to Anukul Roy, OUT! c & b Mitchell Starc.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.

Mitchell Starc to Anukul Roy, OUT! run out (sub Sameer Rizvi).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.

Lungi Ngidi to Rovman Powell, Four!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.

Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, 1 run.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.

Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, No run.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.

Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, Four!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.

Lungi Ngidi to Rovman Powell, 1 run.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.

Lungi Ngidi to Anukul Roy, 1 run.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Four!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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, No run.Flighted up, on middle, Rovman Powell tries to block it but miscues it to the cover fielder.

Kuldeep Yadav to Anukul Roy, 2 Wides!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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, 1 run.Much fuller, on leg, Rovman Powell flicks it through square leg for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, No run.Beaten! Flatter, outside off, turning away. Rovman Powell looks to block it but misses.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, No run.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, 2 runs.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.

Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, 1 run.Fired in, full and on off, Rovman Powell taps it to cover for a quick single.

Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, No run.Nice and full, on off, Rovman Powell pushes it to the point fielder.

Axar Patel to Anukul Roy, 1 run.Axar Patel keeps it on middle and leg, Anukul Roy turns it to square leg for another run.

Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, 1 run.Fired in, on off, Rovman Powell knocks it down to long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Anukul Roy, 1 run.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.

Axar Patel to Tejasvi Singh, OUT! b Axar Patel.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, No run.Quicker one, on middle and leg, Rovman Powell knocks it to mid on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tejasvi Singh, 1 run.Short, on off, Tejasvi Singh taps it through point for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tejasvi Singh, No run.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rinku Singh, OUT! c Tristan Stubbs b Kuldeep Yadav.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, OUT! c David Miller b Kuldeep Yadav.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, 2 runs.Much fuller, on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for a brace.

Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Nice and full, on off, Ajinkya Rahane pushes it down to long on for a single.

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

Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, 1 run.Good comeback after conceding a six on the first ball. Length, on off, Rovman Powell taps it to widish point for a run.

Madhav Tiwari to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Slows it up, on off, Ajinkya Rahane knocks it to mid on for another single.

Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, 1 run.Back of a length, on off, Rovman Powell punches it to wide of mid off for a single.

Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, No run.A tad fuller, wide outside off, Rovman Powell taps it to the fielder at backward point.

Madhav Tiwari to Rovman Powell, Six!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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, 2 runs.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, 1 run.Flighted full and around off, dips on the batter. Powell whips it to deep mid-wicket and collects a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, Four!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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, No run.Swing and a miss! A big googly now, floated up around off. Rovman Powell looks to heave it leg side but fails to connect.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Length ball on off, tapped away into the off side for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, Four!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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, 2 runs.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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.Length ball outside off, driven straight to cover.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.A touch full around off, pushed out into the off side.

Axar Patel to Rovman Powell, 1 run.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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.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...

Kuldeep Yadav to Rovman Powell, 1 run.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, OUT! c David Miller b Kuldeep Yadav.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.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Flighted this time, on off, Rahane lunges and flicks it in front of mid-wicket this time for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Cameron Green, 1 run.Full again, flatter on off. Green heaves it across to long on for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Tossed full and on leg, wristed away in front of square leg for a single by Rahane.

Lungi Ngidi to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Served full and straight, eased down to long on for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Ajinkya Rahane, Four!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.

Lungi Ngidi to Cameron Green, 1 run.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...

Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, OUT! c Mitchell Starc b Lungi Ngidi.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.

Lungi Ngidi to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Another slower one, full and outside off, Rahane gets low and taps it square through the off side for one more.

Lungi Ngidi to Manish Pandey, 1 run.Slower one to begin with. Back of a length and around off, Manish Pandey dabs it into the off side for a single.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, 2 runs.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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Six!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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, Six!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.

Axar Patel to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.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.

Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, 1 run.Low full toss with an inward curve, Pandey heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Manish Pandey, Six!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.

Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, 1 run.Off-pace short ball, on middle. Pandey pulls it off the back foot, a bit uppishly towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, Four!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.

Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, Wide!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.

Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, No run.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.

Madhav Tiwari to Manish Pandey, No run.Cuts back in and around off, on a length. Pandey lets the ball arrive and dabs it to Ashutosh Sharma at backward point.