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Sunil Narine’s Heroics Keep Kolkata Knight Riders’ Playoff Hopes Alive with Thrilling Win Over Delhi Capitals
KKR Prevails in a High-Octane Clash Against DC
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) staged a dramatic victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in a pulsating IPL 2025 encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, thanks to a stellar all-round performance by Sunil Narine. With this 14-run win, KKR keeps their playoff hopes alive, while DC is left to regroup before their next outing.
Match Summary: Batting Blitz Meets Bowling Brilliance
KKR’s PowerPlay Fireworks Lay the Foundation
KKR made the most of the PowerPlay with an aggressive start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine. The duo blasted a 25-run over off Dushmantha Chameera, marking the Knight Riders’ most explosive opening this season. Ajinkya Rahane capitalized on the momentum, helping the team to an imposing 79/1 by the end of six overs. The aggressive intent translated into 64 runs in boundaries alone during this phase.
Spin Strikes But KKR Keeps Flowing in the Middle Overs
DC struck back with their spin duo—Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam—who claimed key wickets, including Narine and captain Rahane. Despite the setbacks, Rinku Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi held the innings together, maintaining a healthy run rate. Rinku particularly took on Kuldeep Yadav, scoring 17 in a single over, pushing KKR towards the 200 mark.
KKR Stutter at the Death but Cross 200
In the death overs, KKR’s momentum faltered as they lost five wickets while adding just 45 runs. Mitchell Starc’s final over included three wickets in four balls. Despite the collapse, crucial late hits from Andre Russell ensured that KKR posted a competitive 204/9 in 20 overs.
DC’s Response: Bright Start but Narine Strikes Back
Du Plessis Anchors Early Response
Faf du Plessis anchored DC’s chase with a fluent 62, playing through the loss of early wickets. Anukul Roy’s surprise opening over dismissed Abishek Porel, while Vaibhav Arora trapped Karun Nair lbw. Despite the setbacks, du Plessis’ straight-bat power hitting ensured DC stayed within striking distance at the end of the PowerPlay, finishing 58/2.
Axar-FAF Partnership Raises DC Hopes
In the middle overs, Axar Patel and du Plessis formed a gritty partnership. Axar, nursing a fielding injury, showcased aggressive strokeplay, even lofting Russell and Narine for boundaries. Their 63-run stand kept the Capitals in the hunt. However, Narine changed the script by dismissing both Axar and Tristan Stubbs in a game-defining over.
Death Overs: KKR’s Spinners Turn the Game
Narine’s Magical Over Halts DC’s Momentum
Just when DC looked set for a last-over finish, Narine bowled a stunning 17th over, removing du Plessis and conceding just two runs. Varun Chakaravarthy then delivered a double-blow in the 18th, dismissing Ashutosh Sharma and Mitchell Starc, crushing DC’s chase. Despite Vipraj Nigam’s late fireworks, DC fell 14 runs short.
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine – A True Game-Changer
Narine not only claimed three critical wickets but also ran out KL Rahul and took a sharp catch, making his all-round performance the defining factor in KKR’s win. His contribution with both bat and ball re-emphasized his value in crunch games.
Match Highlights in Numbers
| Parameter | KKR | DC |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlay Score | 79/1 (RR: 13.16) | 58/2 (RR: 9.67) |
| Middle Overs | 80/3 | 88/3 |
| Death Overs | 45/5 | 44/4 |
| Top Scorer | A. Raghuvanshi (44) | F. du Plessis (62) |
| Best Bowler | Narine (3-27) | Starc (3-43) |
Check out our exclusive IPL 2025 team performance tracker
What’s Next for the Two Teams?
KKR will return home to face Rajasthan Royals on May 3, a clash that could further define the playoff race. DC, on the other hand, get a five-day breather before taking on a dominant Sunrisers Hyderabad in an away game on May 5.
This win reignites KKR’s campaign and reaffirms the impact of seasoned players like Narine. With playoff spots heating up, every game counts, and Kolkata Knight Riders have shown they’re far from done yet.
Read more about Sunil Narine’s cricketing career on ESPNcricinfo
