KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav Star as Delhi Capitals Beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 40 Runs in Dead-Rubber IPL Clash

In a match that had already lost its playoff implications before a ball was bowled, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders produced an entertaining contest at Eden Gardens on Sunday. With Rajasthan Royals defeating Mumbai Indians earlier in the day to secure the final playoff berth, both KKR and Punjab Kings were mathematically eliminated before the evening fixture began. Delhi Capitals, too, had been knocked out of the race after Punjab Kings' win over Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, leaving only pride and final standings to play for.

Batting first after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane chose to bowl, Delhi Capitals posted a challenging 203 for five, powered by a fluent half-century from KL Rahul. The DC opener controlled the innings from the outset, combining caution in the Powerplay with aggressive stroke play against spin. Rahul struck five fours and four sixes in his 30-ball 60, including a brutal assault on Sunil Narine, whom he repeatedly attacked down the pitch. In one over, Rahul smashed Narine for a six over long-on followed by another boundary over the spinner’s head, signaling his intent to accelerate. He reached a 25-ball fifty, propelling Delhi’s scoring rate before being dismissed by Anukul Roy for 60 off 30 balls. Axar Patel then joined in the assault, adding 39 runs with Rahul before David Miller provided a late flourish with a breezy 28 off 19 balls, including three sixes. By the end, Delhi’s total looked competitive, though KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy—playing despite a hairline fracture in his left toe—managed to restrict the damage with figures of 1 for 35.