Delhi Capitals signed off their IPL 2026 league campaign with a 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, even though both teams were already out of playoff contention following Rajasthan Royals’ earlier win over Mumbai Indians.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane lauded the side’s character to fight for a playoff spot despite a horrendous start to the tournament in which they went seven games without a win. KKR stitched a streak of six wins together before losing their final game of the campaign.
“In the first half of the season there were key moments where we were losing out, but after that, coming back from there is never easy,” he said.
“IPL is a long tournament with a lot of pressure and high-pressure situations. But again, staying
strong, having that character and attitude in every game and trying your best for the team – inside the dressing room we all were really happy.”
“As I said, every individual put in that effort by going out there. This season didn’t go our way and we didn’t qualify, which is disappointing, but I’m really proud of everyone and the kind of effort we put in,” he added.
DC put up 203/5, built around KL Rahul’s fluent half-century. Rahul and Abhishek Porel gave Delhi a brisk start, adding 40 for the first wicket before Porel fell to Saurabh Debey for 22 off 18. Sahil Parakh chipped in with 24 from 17 balls but was dismissed by Sunil Narine.
Rahul anchored the innings, bringing up his fifty with Axar Patel at the other end as the pair carried DC past the 100-run mark. Rahul’s 60 off 30 was cut short by Anukul Roy, after which David Miller joined Axar and pushed the score beyond 150 in the 16th over. Axar was removed by Varun Chakravarthy for 39, but Miller’s 28 and an unbeaten 18 from Ashutosh Sharma ensured KKR were set a stiff target of 204.
In reply, Rahane and Finn Allen provided KKR with a solid start, adding 43 for the first wicket. Allen made 20 off 13 before Lungisani Ngidi struck to break the stand. Manish Pandey contributed 25 as Rahane continued to score freely, reaching his half-century. Ngidi then dismissed Pandey, and Kuldeep Yadav removed Cameron Green for just 2 off 3 deliveries.
Rahane’s innings ended on 63 off 39 when Kuldeep trapped him, and the left-arm spinner struck again the very next ball to send Rinku Singh back for a golden duck, completing a double blow. Axar Patel then accounted for Tejaswi Singh for 1, while Rovman Powell tried to revive the chase with 29 off 21 before being run out.
Anukul Roy managed 9 off 8 before Mitchell Starc dismissed him, and the Australian fast bowler soon added Kartik Tyagi for another golden duck to his tally. Ngidi completed his three-wicket haul by removing Varun Chakravarthy for 5 off 5, as KKR were eventually bowled out for 163, handing DC a comfortable 40-run win.
