DC Vs KKR, IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders Beat Delhi Capitals By 14 Runs To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Kolkata Knight Riders began their must-win stretch in style, securing a 14-run victory over Delhi Capitals on Tuesday, April 29, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium to keep their Indian Premier League 2025 playoff hopes alive. (Match Blog | Full Coverage | Points Table | More Cricket News)

The hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kolkata Knight Riders, coming into the match with three losses in their last five outings, managed to post a competitive 204 for 9, thanks to solid contributions from their top order.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz got things rolling with an explosive 26 off just 12 balls before falling to Mitchell Starc. Sunil Narine followed suit with a brisk 27 off 16 but was trapped LBW by Vipraj Nigam.

Axar Patel then struck a crucial blow by dismissing KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane for 26 off 14. However, Angkrish Raghuvanshi held the innings together with a 44 off 32, and Rinku Singh provided late impetus with a fiery 36 off 15. These efforts helped KKR post a total that exceeded expectations.

Chasing the total, DC were 62 for 3 in seven overs, but Faf du Plessis (62) and Axar Patel (43) kept them in the hunt with a 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

However, Narine (3/29) picked up three key wickets at a crucial juncture to derail DC's chase, as the hosts were restricted to 190 for nine in their 20 overs to succumb to their third loss in four home games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

With this win, defending champions KKR reignited their playoff hopes, though they remained at the seventh spot with nine points. DC stayed in the top four with 12 points.

Next in their IPL 2025 campaign, Delhi Capitals will take on Rajasthan Royals on May 4. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders will face the second placed in-form Mumbai Indians on May 3.

Delhi Capitals Vs Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XIs:

Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Guaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Harshit Rana, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy

Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel(w), Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Axar Patel(c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mukesh Kumar

Impact Subs:

Kolkata Knight Riders: Manish Pandey, Luvnith Sisodia, Mayank Markande, Vaibhav Arora, Ramandeep Singh

Delhi Capitals: Ashutosh Sharma, Jake Fraser McGurk, Tripurana Vijay, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira

(With PTI inputs)