KKR vs DC, 48th Match at Delhi, IPL, Apr 29 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11:22pm A third defeat in four matches in Delhi for DC and the timing of these defeats could hurt them. At the halfway stage it seemed KKR did not have enough. When a set du Plessis was leading the way for DC in the chase, it seemed KKR were down and out. But then Narine stood up. Over no. 14 was crucial. He picked up key wickets. And then he stepped up as captain, too. A big twist in the game occurred and there was no coming back for DC. Even if Nigam played a blinder at the end.

Axar Patel, DC captain: "The way we bowled in the powerplay, thought we gave 15-20 too many. in the chase, there were some miscalculations and soft dismissals. The way we restricted them after the powerplay was good. The way we batted, even if two-three batters did well, we lost by very little. When you lose close matches, you know you have to be calm in the middle. When Vipraj was scoring runs, we had hopes. If Ashutosh would have stayed, it would have helped. Luck sometimes works in your favour and sometimes against. [Hand] My hand dragged on the surface, so the skin peeled off. So whenever I tried batting, it was paining. We have three-four days gap before SRH game, so I hope to recover."

Andre Russell: "I asked guys in the team meeting that all I want for my birthday is a win. Most amazing T20 league, just scheduling a game on my birthday, want to tell thanks for that. It was about getting runs on the board and building pressure. Happy day. We had one plan - I told the skipper that I am going to bowl six yorkers. Might not execute all but had the mindset of bowling six yorkers. I executed three or fours in the over and managed to keep them quiet. We have been struggling. Haven't clicked as a batting unit. Still getting to good totals because of three of six/seven batters. Still back the guys. Seeing guys hit the ball well. Confidence is there. Can't prepare well and then go into game without backing ourselves. We have to execute and not think too much about results. [Narine's 14th over] Bringing back himself was crucial. That over he get two wickets and the wickets he got were big wickets. That's where all of us started to believe in winning the game. Him bringing himself back was crucial. And then Varun had one over at the back end as well. We have a good unit, once we get to 200, we have what it takes to defend it. Narine is very active when on the field. A lot of guys misjudge him. He is a quiet individual but on the park, he is a leader. He has been more talkative in the last five years. When you express yourself, you enjoy yourself."

Ajinkya Rahane, KKR captain: "[Hand] Not bad, I'll be okay, I'll be fine. When Sunil came into bowl and picked up two wickets, and when they lost three wickets in the middle, I thought that was the game for us. We felt we were short. Sunil bowled well, good support from Russell, and Roy bowled well. He has been doing well for us, thought let's back him. What's important for is to take confidence from this moment. [Narine] He's been a champions bowler for this franchise. A match-winner. As a captain, good to have him and Varun. Narine has been coming early for the practice sessions, working hard, batting as well. [Russell] Dre as well is working hard on his bowling. He is bowling yorkers in training and we thought we can back him. He has been fantastic for us, whenever he has bowled, he has picked up a wicket."

Sunil Narine, Player of the Match: "It was a total team effort. The way we started with Gurbaz and then Angki [Raghuvanshi] and Rinku. I still back myself to come back and deliver for the team. There are games you start early and struggle later and there are games you start late. I enjoyed all wickets, all are crucial. The more wickets you get, the better it is for the team. [Direct hit] Not the greatest fielder. Good to get a run-out. Just pick up and throw the ball as hard as possible! Self pride keeps me going. Always want to give the captain to give the option of having someone. If you want to be that kind of player, you have to keep up the hard work, even if there is no training."

That's all we have from Delhi tonight. KKR's win keeps them alive and DC slightly worried. Nothing much changes in the standings, though. And as usual, games in the IPL keep coming thick and fast. CSK vs PBKS tomorrow, so do join us for that. On behalf of Vairavan and Ekanth, this is Sudarshanan bidding y'all good night, good bye! Take care.

Kuldeep Yadav the last batter in

KKR must be low-key heaving a sigh of relief. Chameera to face the first ball of the over. Narine, the stand-in captain, turns to Russell

38 off 12 looks unlikely. Our forecaster doesn't even give 5% chance for DC. Rana to bowl out

Varun on a hat-trick now, Chameera to face

Anjan: "3 wickets, a runout and a catch, in addition to substitute captaincy and 27 runs at the top. Narine the man!"

Mitchell Starc is in next, bat looks good

Varun back for his last over

Balaram Gopal: "These conditions have proved to be a good pitch for both the batters and bowlers! I feel a Super Over incoming..."

Rahane getting his right hand heavily bandaged

Mehul: "I remember being in the fifth grade and watching Narine win matches for KKR out of nowhere. I start my first internship in a month and its all still the same."