source : BCCI
Sunil Narine delivered with bat, ball, arm, and brain as Kolkata Knight Riders held their nerve to edge Delhi Capitals by 14 runs in a high-stakes clash that swung wildly before KKR’s spinners sealed it. Chasing 205, DC looked in control at 136 for 3, but Narine’s triple strike and an inspired captaincy call to trust Chakravarthy in the death overs turned the contest around dramatically. Narine’s spell of 3 for 29, along with a direct-hit run-out and smart field placements, ensured KKR stayed alive in the playoff race.
Narine’s all-round brilliance was the heartbeat of KKR’s victory. Thrust into the captaincy after Rahane’s injury and Iyer’s substitution, he led with composure and clarity. The decision to bring himself back at a critical juncture paid immediate dividends. Axar’s dismissal opened the floodgates and Narine didn’t stop there, removing Stubbs and Du Plessis in quick succession to tilt the contest decisively. His direct hit to run out Rahul earlier had already set the tone for a night where he was at the center of everything.
What stood out was the sharpness of Narine’s leadership. He trusted his instincts rather than relying on the script. Despite Varun Chakravarthy’s earlier struggles, Narine gave him the 18th over when the match was hanging in the balance. That over produced two wickets and effectively ended Delhi’s hopes. Even Anukul Roy’s inclusion, and his use with the new ball, reflected KKR’s commitment to bold, data-driven decisions rather than conventional thinking. The result was a total team effort anchored by tactical excellence.
Earlier, KKR had made a blazing start with the bat, with Narine himself laying the foundation. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Raghuvanshi’s composed knock and Rinku Singh’s aggression kept them in the hunt for a big total. The only disappointment was the finish, where Andre Russell was left stranded at the non-striker’s end for too long. A total of 204 looked slightly under par at one stage but eventually proved just enough.
For Delhi, the defeat will sting. They had the game under control multiple times during the chase. Du Plessis looked in great touch, and Axar’s counterattack while nursing an injured hand was both brave and effective. But the collapse from 136 for 3 to 190 for 9 exposed their middle-order fragility. Stubbs, Ashutosh, and Mitchell Starc could not rise to the moment, and a lack of clarity in shot selection handed the momentum back to KKR.
As the points table tightens, this win keeps KKR within striking distance of the top four. They now sit on nine points from ten games, still in the playoff hunt. Delhi, on the other hand, find themselves under pressure to retain their spot in the top two after such a promising start to the tournament. With just a few matches left, every over, every decision, and every moment on the field is becoming crucial in shaping how this thrilling IPL season will end.
