Explore how Sunil Narine’s exceptional all-round performance secured a crucial win for KKR against Delhi Capitals. Read the match summary and insights.
Introduction:
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi witnessed a pulsating contest on April 29, 2025, as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) edged out Delhi Capitals (DC) by 14 runs in Match 48 of IPL 2025. In a game that swung dramatically, Sunil Narine’s all-round heroics with bat, ball, and in the field proved decisive, keeping KKR’s playoff hopes alive and handing DC a costly home defeat. See also: Suryavanshi’s 35-Ball Century Powers RR to Stunning Win Over GT
Toss and Team News: DC Bowl First, KKR Unleash Aggression
DC skipper Axar Patel won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early movement under lights. KKR, captained by Ajinkya Rahane, stuck with their aggressive top-order approach, opening with Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Both teams fielded balanced XIs, with DC’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and KKR’s spin duo of Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy expected to play key roles.
KKR’s Batting: Blazing Start, Middle-Order Grit, and Late Drama
KKR’s openers came out all guns blazing, smashing 33 runs in the first two overs, including a 25-run over off Dushmantha Chameera. Gurbaz (33 off 16) continued the assault before Starc struck back, but the momentum was set. Rahane (32 off 18) and Narine (27 off 16) kept the run rate soaring, propelling KKR to 79/1 by the end of the powerplay.
DC fought back in the middle overs, with Vipraj Nigam and Axar Patel triggering a collapse-Narine, Rahane, and Venkatesh Iyer fell in quick succession, and KKR found themselves at 117/4 after 10 overs. Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44 off 32) and Rinku Singh (36 off 25) then rebuilt with a crucial 61-run partnership, steering KKR towards a strong finish.
The final over saw fireworks and drama: Andre Russell launched a monstrous 106-metre six off Starc, but DC struck back with a team hat-trick-Starc removed Rovman Powell, and Chameera’s sensational boundary catch capped off a remarkable over. KKR finished on a formidable 204/9, a total built on a blazing start and middle-order resilience.
DC’s Chase: Faf and Axar Lead, Narine’s Spin Turns the Game
Chasing 205, DC lost Abishek Porel early to Anukul Roy, and Karun Nair soon after to Vaibhav Arora. Faf du Plessis (62 off 45) anchored the innings, while KL Rahul was run out by a direct hit from Narine, a turning point that left DC at 60/3.
Axar Patel, despite a fielding injury, joined Faf and counterattacked with a gutsy 43 off 23 balls. Their 76-run partnership put DC in control at 136/3 after 13 overs. But Sunil Narine turned the game on its head in the 14th over, dismissing Axar and Tristan Stubbs in quick succession. He returned to remove Faf in his next over, triggering a collapse from 136/3 to 146/6. See also: Chahal’s Hat-Trick, Shreyas Iyer’s Fifty Seal Playoff Push for PKBS
Vipraj Nigam (38 off 19) and Ashutosh Sharma fought valiantly, but Varun Chakaravarthy’s double strike in the 18th over and Andre Russell’s composed final over sealed the game for KKR. DC finished on 190/9, falling 14 runs short in a chase that promised much but fizzled under pressure. See also: Andre Russell’s Explosive 57 Powers KKR to Nail-Biting Win
Sunil Narine: The Game Changer
Narine was the undisputed star, contributing 27 runs at the top, taking 3/27 with the ball, effecting a crucial run-out, and holding a sharp catch. His spell in the middle overs broke DC’s backbone and swung the match decisively in KKR’s favour. Narine’s all-round display underlined his status as one of the IPL’s most valuable assets.
Key Moments and Turning Points
KKR’s Powerplay Blitz: 79 runs in six overs set the tone for a 200+ total.
Axar-Faf Stand: Their 76-run partnership had DC cruising before Narine’s intervention.
Narine’s Double Blow: Removing Axar and Stubbs in the 14th over, then Faf in the 15th, derailed DC’s chase.
Team Hat-Trick in Final Over: DC’s fielding brilliance kept KKR to 204, giving them a fighting chance.
Russell’s Final Over: Executed yorkers under pressure to close out the game on his 37th birthday.
What This Means for the Playoff Race
KKR’s win keeps them alive in the playoff hunt, moving to nine points from ten matches. For DC, a third home defeat in four games leaves them vulnerable, with back-to-back losses dragging them into the mid-table dogfight.
Conclusion
In a high-octane contest filled with momentum swings, Sunil Narine’s all-round brilliance and KKR’s collective nerve proved decisive. As the IPL 2025 league stage heats up, both teams know that every point is crucial. For KKR, this victory on the road could be the catalyst for a late playoff surge; for DC, it’s a wake-up call as the race tightens.