IPL 2026's league stage ends with DC's 40-run win over KKR after KL, Kuldeep, Lungi's heroics

The Delhi Capitals (DC) concluded their IPL 2026 league-stage campaign on a high note by defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-scoring encounter at Eden Gardens on May 24. Defending a target of 204, Capitals relied on disciplined bowling and timely breakthroughs at crucial junctures to trigger a major batting collapse, ultimately wrapping up a decisive 40-run victory over Ajinkya Rahane's KKR.

DC flatten KKR by 40 runs

Kolkata's chase began promisingly, with openers Finn Allen and Rahane putting together a brisk 43-run partnership in just 4.2 overs. Though Allen was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi for a 13-ball 20, the KKR skipper maintained the team's momentum alongside Manish Pandey, guiding the hosts to a solid 55 for one by the end of the powerplay. Rahane looked in sublime touch, even launching an assault on DC captain Axar Patel by smashing him for three massive sixes in a 21-run eighth over. Pandey contributed a quickfire 25 off 16 balls before Ngidi struck again to remove him, which quickly triggered a slide as Cameron Green fell shortly after to Kuldeep Yadav for just 2. Despite the quick wickets, KKR's scoreboard was moving fast, reaching 98 for three after 10 overs, with Rahane bringing up a 31-ball half-century shortly after to keep the hosts well-placed at 126 for three after 13 overs.

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Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi break KKR's back

The complexion of the match shifted entirely in the 14th over, courtesy of a brilliant double-strike by Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm spinner turned the game on its head by dismissing Rahane for a well-made 63 off 39 balls, and then removing Rinku Singh for a golden duck on the very next delivery. With KKR suddenly reeling at 129 for five, Axar Patel compounded their misery in the following over by clean-bowling wicketkeeper-batter Tejasvi Dahiya for a single run, reducing the hosts to 129 for six.

Rovman Powell and Anukul Roy attempted to rebuild the innings, pushing the score to 142 for six by the end of the 16th over, but Delhi's sharp fielding quickly snuffed out any hopes of a lower-order miracle. The final collapse began on the first ball of the 18th over when a brilliant throw from fielder Ashutosh Sharma ran out Powell for 29. Mitchell Starc then took over, dismissing Anukul Roy for 9 on the very next ball and removing Kartik Tyagi later in the over to leave KKR nine wickets down. Lungi Ngidi put the finishing touches on the victory by dismissing Varun Chakaravarthy for 5, bundling out Kolkata for 163 in 18.4 overs.

KL Rahul's fifty in vain

Earlier in the match, DC set a formidable 204-run target for KKR. After being asked to bat first, Delhi's openers provided a brisk start, putting on 40 runs for the opening wicket. Abishek Porel struck four quick boundaries before being dismissed by Saurabh Dubey in the fifth over. Sahil Parakh then joined the fray, chipping in with a lively 24 off 17 balls that featured three fours and a six, before he mistimed a big shot off Sunil Narine and was caught by Ajinkya Rahane inside the 30-yard circle.

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While wickets fell at the other end, KL Rahul anchored the innings with an explosive display of hitting, anchoring the top order with a blistering 60 off just 30 balls, laced with four sixes and five fours. His sparkling knock was eventually brought to an end in the 13th over by Anukul Roy. Following Rahul's dismissal, skipper Axar Patel kept up the momentum in the middle overs by smashing a rapid 39 off 25 balls. Axar forged a crucial 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket with David Miller before Varun Chakaravarthy managed to break the stand.

Delhi's lower order ensured a grand finish as Ashutosh Sharma joined Miller to plunder 35 runs during the death overs. The pair took 12 runs off the 19th over, and Miller cleared the ropes twice in the final over before being dismissed for a 18-ball 29. Ashutosh remained unbeaten on 18 to guide Delhi to a strong finish of 203 for 5. It proved to be a tough day at the office for KKR's bowling unit, particularly Kartik Tyagi, who went wicketless while conceding 55 runs in his four overs. Among the wickets, Saurabh Dubey was the pick of the bowlers with two scalps, while Narine, Chakaravarthy, and Roy picked up one wicket apiece.