IPL 2025: Narine’s All-Round Performance Leads KKR to 14-Run Victory Over DC

Sunil Narine’s stellar all-round performance powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling win over Delhi Capitals in the national capital, keeping their IPL 2025 hopes alive. Despite strong contributions from Faf du Plessis (62 off 45), Axar Patel (43 off 23), and Vipraj Nigam (38 off 19) in DC’s pursuit of KKR’s 204/9, Narine’s timely interventions ensured the hosts fell 14 runs short. The KKR star not only removed two of DC’s top three scorers and Tristan Stubbs, but also played a crucial role in the field—running out KL Rahul and catching out Ashutosh Sharma.

The match was closely fought across most phases, but DC’s costly PowerPlay overs ultimately gave KKR the upper hand. While KKR managed to breach the 200-run mark even after a late collapse, DC lacked that luxury in the final overs. KKR raced to 79/1 in the first six overs with an explosive run-rate of 13.16, courtesy of 10 boundaries and 4 sixes. In contrast, DC managed 58/2 at 9.67 runs per over, hitting 8 fours and just one six. This early burst gave KKR the momentum and a vital head start, which ultimately proved to be the difference in a closely fought game.

Explosive Start Sets the Tone for KKR

KKR’s top order delivered their most dominant start of the season, laying a strong foundation with a 48-run opening stand. Rahmanullah Gurbaz began cautiously against Mitchell Starc, striking two fours amidst four dot balls in the first over. The real damage came in the second over, as Sunil Narine unleashed an assault on Dushmantha Chameera, hammering two sixes and a four, with Gurbaz adding another boundary to cap a massive 25-run over.

The aggression continued with both openers taking on Starc, though Gurbaz had a stroke of fortune as a top edge off his glove sailed over the keeper. He followed it up with a four and a six before eventually falling to Starc. KKR’s fifty arrived by the fourth over, forcing DC to gamble with a third PowerPlay over from Axar Patel. It didn’t pay off—Ajinkya Rahane took charge, smashing a six over deep square leg and flicking another through mid-wicket. He then capitalized on width from Mukesh Kumar to steer KKR to a commanding 79/1 by the end of the PowerPlay, with a staggering 64 of those runs coming through boundaries.

Spin Strikes Back, But Rinku Rebuilds with Counterattack

Delhi Capitals clawed their way back into the game through a well-executed spin strategy. Vipraj Nigam set the tone by trapping Sunil Narine leg-before with a skiddy delivery clocked at 97.5 kmph. Axar Patel followed up in the very next over, removing his opposite number LBW and then dismissing Venkatesh Iyer cheaply, leaving KKR in a spot of bother at four down.

Amidst the setbacks, Angkrish Raghuvanshi struck two elegant sixes to push KKR past 100 and steady the innings. He and Rinku Singh worked to rebuild the momentum even as Axar finished with impressive figures of 2 for 27 and Kuldeep Yadav delivered a tight one-run over. Despite the pressure, the pair kept the run rate near 10 an over. The momentum shifted again after the timeout, when Rinku took on Kuldeep with authority—smashing two boundaries and a towering six in a 17-run over that restored KKR’s upper hand.

Late Wobble After Rinku’s Exit, But KKR Cross 200

KKR’s innings took a slight downturn in the death overs as DC clawed back with disciplined bowling. Axar Patel showed faith in Vipraj Nigam, handing him two overs at the back end, and the young leg-spinner delivered under pressure—conceding just 9 in the 16th and only 6 in the 18th while also scalping the crucial wicket of Rinku Singh, who made a valuable 36 off 25.

Dushmantha Chameera, who had earlier leaked 25 runs in a PowerPlay over, redeemed himself in the 17th by conceding just 7 and removing Angkrish Raghuvanshi. However, Andre Russell unleashed a brief assault in the 19th, taking 13 off Chameera. The final over began with a monstrous straight six from Russell off Starc, but the Australian struck back in sensational fashion—conceding just three more runs and claiming three wickets in as many deliveries. Despite the late stumble, KKR managed to breach the 200-run mark, finishing with a formidable 204.

Du Plessis Anchors DC’s Chase After Early Jolts

Chasing a stiff target of 205, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane surprised Delhi Capitals by opening with Anukul Roy’s left-arm spin, and the move paid off immediately. Though Abishek Porel found the boundary off the first delivery, he perished on the next ball while attempting a big hit. Faf du Plessis then stepped up to steady the innings, launching a straight six off Vaibhav Arora and following it up with a trio of boundaries off Harshit Rana in the fourth over.

Arora struck back by trapping Karun Nair LBW, confirmed via DRS, but du Plessis kept up the momentum, frequently targeting the straight boundary with success. While Varun Chakravarthy bowled a tidy over to start, du Plessis benefitted from some luck, collecting a streaky four off byes to close the PowerPlay. KL Rahul also joined in, opening his account with a boundary that beat Sunil Narine at short fine leg.

Narine’s Double Blow Stalls DC’s Chase After Promising Start

With Delhi Capitals appearing well on course in their pursuit of 205, Sunil Narine turned the tide with a game-changing over. Just after Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul had steadied the innings, Narine effected a brilliant run-out with a sharp throw that caught Rahul short of his ground. In walked Axar Patel, nursing an injury sustained during KKR’s innings, and despite the pain, he formed a vital partnership with du Plessis. The South African brought up his fifty in 31 balls, launching Narine for a six over long-on and smashing Varun Chakravarthy for two boundaries and a six in the ninth over.

Axar showed grit, striking a couple of fours off Andre Russell and picking up runs off both Narine and Varun, before falling for a spirited 43 off 23 balls—his best effort of the season. Narine didn’t stop there; he struck again in the same over, dismantling Tristan Stubbs’ stumps to leave DC reeling. Anukul Roy followed up with a disciplined spell, finishing with 1/27 from his four overs, as the Capitals were left needing 59 from the final five overs.

Narine, Varun Flip the Script in Dramatic Death Overs

Just as Delhi Capitals seemed to have a foothold in the 205-run chase, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy pulled off a stunning turnaround. Narine bowled a clutch over at the death, conceding just two runs and removing the well-set Faf du Plessis, while also tying down impact sub Ashutosh Sharma. Though Ashutosh briefly reignited hopes with a six off Harshit Rana in the 17th over, Varun extinguished them swiftly in the 18th. The spinner dismissed Ashutosh with a switch hit straight to Narine and then saw Mitchell Starc balloon his very first ball to Gurbaz.

Vipraj Nigam offered a final flicker with a six to end the over and added a four and six off Rana in the penultimate over, but the target was slipping away. With 25 needed off the final over, Andre Russell kept his cool, executing pinpoint full deliveries to shut the door on DC’s chase and seal a vital win for KKR.

Brief Scores

Kolkata Knight Riders: 204/9 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 44, Rinku Singh 36; Mitchell Starc 3-43, Axar Patel 2-27)
Delhi Capitals: 190/9 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 62, Axar Patel 43; Sunil Narine 3-27, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-29)
Result: KKR won by 14 runs.

What Next for Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals?

Delhi Capitals will enjoy a five-day break before facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on May 5. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders will return home to host a fellow resurgent team, Rajasthan Royals, in an afternoon clash on May 3.

Read More: IPL 2025: CSK vs PBKS – Preview, Prediction, Starting XI and Where To Watch The Match LIVE

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