Kolkata Knight Riders Keep Playoff Dreams Alive
In a thrilling encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) managed to stay in contention for the playoffs by defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by 14 runs in Match 48 of IPL 2025. KKR set a challenging target of 204 runs, and despite a spirited effort from DC, who finished at 190 runs for 9 wickets, they fell short.
Sunil Narine was a standout performer for KKR, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. He scored a brisk 27 runs off just 16 balls during the powerplay and took three crucial wickets. However, the victory came with concerns as both KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane and DC's skipper Axar Patel sustained injuries during the match, casting doubt on their participation in upcoming games.
Axar Patel, who scored 43 runs off 23 balls, shared that he injured his finger while attempting a catch during practice. He expressed optimism about a quick recovery, stating, "My skin got peeled off as I dived on the practice wickets to stop the ball, but the good thing is there are 3–4 days break and hopefully I will be able to recover," during his post-match comments.
Reflecting on the match, Axar acknowledged that DC conceded too many runs in the powerplay and faced issues with soft dismissals while chasing. He praised Vipraj Nigam for his efforts in keeping the team competitive until the end.
Despite the loss, Delhi Capitals remain in fourth place with six victories from ten matches. They are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 5 in Hyderabad.
“I think how the wicket was and how we bowled in the powerplay, we gave away 15–20 runs too many. We also lost a few wickets in a soft manner. The positive was how we restricted them after the powerplay… When Vipraj was batting there was hope, if Ashutosh was there then they could have repeated the first game,” Axar added.
KKR also faced a scare when their captain Ajinkya Rahane had to leave the field due to a hand injury. Rahane, who scored 26 runs off 14 balls, suffered a cut while fielding and did not return. Sunil Narine stepped in as captain to lead KKR to victory.
Anukul Roy, a teammate, provided reassurance regarding Rahane's condition, stating at the post-match press conference that the injury is not severe and he should recover in a few days. "It doesn’t seem too serious. He might need two or three days. The doctors will give a clearer picture, but for now, he’s okay. He got a few stitches, but it’s manageable," Anukul commented.
Rahane has been a key player for KKR this season, amassing 297 runs in ten matches, making his potential absence a significant concern as KKR prepares to face Rajasthan Royals on May 4.
