Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Match Scorecard: KKR’s 14-Run Victory Thriller

Q: Who is better, DC or KKR?

Based on this Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals match scorecard, KKR showed superior execution, particularly in death bowling. However, DC demonstrated they can compete—they were genuinely threatening at 136/3. On any given day, T20 cricket can go either way. KKR's experience and bench strength give them a slight edge, but DC has the talent to beat anyone on their day.

By Kanak

April 2, 2026 9 Min Read

Last Updated: 2 April 2026

Direct Answer: Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Capitals by 14 runs in the 48th match of IPL 2025, held at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on April 29, 2025, with KKR scoring 204/9 and DC managing 190/9 in their chase.

Table of Contents

Match Overview Table: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Match Scorecard

Metric	Details
Match Number	48th Match (Night)
Date	April 29, 2025
Venue	Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
KKR Total	204/9 (20 overs)
DC Total	190/9 (20 overs)
Match Result	KKR won by 14 runs
Player of the Match	Sunil Narine (KKR)
MVP Points	122.29 (Sunil Narine)

TL;DR Summary Box

Looking for quick facts? Here’s what went down:

KKR posted 204 runs with Sunil Narine’s explosive 27 off 16 balls setting the tone
Delhi Capitals were left needing 205 runs but fell short, managing 190/9
Sunil Narine’s all-round brilliance—both batting and bowling 3/29—proved to be the difference maker
DC looked strong at 136/3 but completely collapsed in the middle overs
KKR’s spinner duo of Narine and Chakravarthy turned the match on its head

How KKR Smashed Their Way to 204 Runs

So here’s the thing about this Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals match scorecard—KKR came out swinging, and it was pure entertainment.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 44 off 32 balls, anchoring KKR’s innings while Rinku Singh contributed 36 runs. But it was the opening pair that really got heads turning. KKR’s openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahane delivered their best opening partnership of the season so far, adding 48 runs, followed by their second-best powerplay of 79 runs.

The problem? They couldn’t sustain the momentum. Only 45 runs came in the last five overs, turning what looked like a 220+ total into just 204. That slow finish almost cost them the match.

Mitchell Starc was particularly effective, claiming 3 crucial wickets for 43 runs, including three important wickets in the final over of KKR’s innings.

KKR Batting Performance Table

Batter	Runs	Balls	Status
Sunil Narine	27	16	Bowled/Not Out
Angkrish Raghuvanshi	44	32	Out
Rinku Singh	36	25	Out
Ajinkya Rahane	—	—	Out (Injury)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz	—	—	Out
Others	—	—	Mixed

Delhi Capitals’ Chase Collapse: From 136/3 to 190/9

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Delhi Capitals looked absolutely dominant at 136 for 3 wickets in their chase of 205 runs. Faf du Plessis was in sublime form, smashing 62 runs, and captain Axar Patel chipped in with 43 valuable runs.

But cricket is a funny game. Just when you think you’ve got it in the bag, the momentum shifts.

Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy came back with a vengeance in the death overs. Together, they bowled their last 17 balls for just 5 wickets and 12 runs. That’s absolutely clinical bowling when the chips are down.

Narine himself took the big wickets—getting Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, and the dangerous Faf du Plessis out as Delhi Capitals went from 136 for 3 to 190 for 9.

Delhi Capitals Batting Breakdown

Batter	Runs	Balls	How Out
Faf du Plessis	62	—	Sunil Narine
Axar Patel (c)	43	—	Narine
Vipraj Nigam	38	19	Andre Russell
Karun Nair	—	—	Early Out
KL Rahul	—	—	Run Out
Tristan Stubbs	—	—	Narine

Sunil Narine’s Match-Winning Performance

Let’s talk about the real hero of the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals match scorecard: Sunil Narine, who earned Player of the Match after scoring 27 off 16 balls and taking 3 wickets for 29 runs.

This guy did it all. He didn’t just bat and bowl brilliantly—he also captained KKR after Ajinkya Rahane suffered a split finger and ran KL Rahul out with a direct hit from short fine leg. That’s what you call leaving your mark on a match!

Narine brought KKR back into the game by removing three Delhi Capitals batters—Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, and Faf du Plessis—in quick succession. When you’re facing the best in the business, sometimes there’s nothing you can do.

Sunil Narine Performance Table

Aspect	Details
Batting	27 runs off 16 balls
Strike Rate	168.75
Bowling	3 wickets for 29 runs
Economy Rate	9.67
Captaincy	Yes, acted as stand-in captain
Other Contributions	Run-out assist

Bowling Masterclass: KKR’s Death Bowling Strategy

Here’s what makes this kkr vs dc match scorecard so interesting—it’s not just about one player.

The spin duo of Narine and Varun Chakravarthy proved to be absolutely crucial on the slower Arun Jaitley pitch. When a pitch doesn’t have much pace, spinners become your best friends.

Varun Chakravarthy picked up crucial wickets including removing Ashutosh Sharma and Mitchell Starc in a crucial over. Andre Russell chipped in with a wicket as well, proving KKR’s bowling depth.

The key takeaway? Delhi’s pace bowling attack was exposed on the slow Kotla pitch, with Mitchell Starc taking wickets but not enough to turn the tide.

Head-to-Head: KKR vs DC Performance Metrics

When you look at Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders match scorecard data historically, certain patterns emerge:

Category	KKR	DC
Total Runs	204/9	190/9
Run Rate	10.20	9.50
Highest Individual Score	Raghuvanshi (44)	Du Plessis (62)
Bowling Economy	10.20	10.20
Wickets Lost	9	9
Partnerships	79 (Powerplay)	136 (3 wickets)
Death Overs Performance	45 (last 5 overs)	Collapsed from 136/3

Why This Match Matters in IPL 2025

KKR’s win keeps them alive in the tournament race, taking two crucial points when defending champions needed them most. For Delhi Capitals, it’s their third defeat in four matches, and the timing of these defeats could hurt them in the playoff race.

When you’re managing a squad, momentum matters. KKR showed that even when you’re struggling—which they were earlier in IPL 2025—one solid performance can get you back in the conversation.

Key Moments That Changed the Game: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Match Scorecard

Moment 1: KKR’s Powerplay Brilliance

KKR blasted 79 runs in their powerplay overs with Narine, Gurbaz, and Rahane all contributing. This aggressive start set the tone, even though they couldn’t maintain it.

Moment 2: Axar Patel’s Counterattack

Despite an injured hand, Axar Patel took down Narine with powerful hitting, with only one batter ever hitting more sixes off Narine in an IPL innings. This showed DC’s fighting spirit.

Moment 3: The Spinner’s Comeback

This is what cricket fans live for—the turning point. When Narine and Chakravarthy returned to the crease in the death overs, they essentially sealed the match with their incredible bowling.

Player Contributions at a Glance

KKR Key Performers

Sunil Narine: All-rounder brilliance (27 + 3/29)
Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Steady innings of 44
Rinku Singh: Important 36-run knock
Andre Russell: Bowling impact

DC Key Performers

Faf du Plessis: Top score of 62 runs
Axar Patel: 43 runs with the bat + bowling 2/27
Vipraj Nigam: Late-match explosive 38 off 19
Mitchell Starc: Economical 3/43

The Venue Effect: Why Arun Jaitley Stadium Mattered

This match was played on a slower Arun Jaitley pitch where spinners naturally dominate. That’s exactly why Narine and Chakravarthy thrived. Meanwhile, Delhi’s fast bowlers struggled with consistent lines.

The pitch conditions essentially handed KKR an advantage in the middle overs—something they exploited perfectly.

What Does This Win Mean for IPL 2025?

Look, KKR were “one slip away from entering must-win territory” before this match ESPNcricinfo. This victory provides breathing room. For DC, however, it’s becoming clear that their home record is unreliable, having lost 2 of their 3 home matches despite a flying start.

In a tournament like IPL, where the playoffs loom large, every win counts. KKR just bought themselves more time.

Final Scoreline & Match Statistics

Statistic	KKR	DC
Total Runs Scored	204	190
Wickets Lost	9	9
Overs Faced	20	20
Run Rate	10.20	9.50
Sixes Hit	Multiple	Multiple
Fours Hit	Significant	Significant
Extras Conceded	Lower	Higher

Frequently Asked Questions: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Match Scorecard

Q1: Who is better, DC or KKR?

Based on this Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals match scorecard, KKR showed superior execution, particularly in death bowling. However, DC demonstrated they can compete—they were genuinely threatening at 136/3. On any given day, T20 cricket can go either way. KKR’s experience and bench strength give them a slight edge, but DC has the talent to beat anyone on their day.

Q2: Who is the highest run scorer in Delhi Capitals?

In this particular match, Faf du Plessis was DC’s top scorer with 62 runs. However, across the entire IPL 2025 season, different players lead at different times. For current season statistics, you’d want to check the official IPL stats portal.

Q3: Who is the captain of DC today (in IPL 2025)?

Axar Patel is Delhi Capitals’ captain, though he was dealing with a hand injury during this particular match. Captaincy in IPL is dynamic—if you’re checking for current information, verify on the official IPL website.

Q4: What made Sunil Narine the Player of the Match?

Sunil Narine earned Player of the Match after scoring 27 off 16 balls and taking 3 wickets for 29 runs. Plus, he captained KKR and made crucial fielding contributions. That’s an all-around match-winning performance.

Q5: Why did KKR’s run rate drop in the final overs?

After a brilliant powerplay, KKR lost regular wickets and only managed 45 runs in their last five overs. This was partly due to DC’s bowling adjustments and partly because KKR couldn’t maintain aggressive intent once wickets fell.

Q6: How significant is this win for KKR’s playoff chances?

This victory keeps KKR alive in the tournament race and takes them away from must-win territory. In T20 leagues, momentum shifts quickly—this win provides psychological boost and crucial points on the board.

Q7: What was the impact of the slow pitch on this match?

The slower Arun Jaitley pitch favored spinners, which is why Narine and Chakravarthy dominated in the middle and death overs. Delhi’s pace bowlers couldn’t generate enough venom, exposing a weakness in their bowling attack.

Conclusion: A Match That Showcased T20’s Unpredictability

The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals match scorecard from April 29, 2025 will be remembered as a masterclass in death bowling and all-around cricket excellence. KKR’s 14-run victory over DC wasn’t just about the final scoreline—it was about momentum, strategy, and individual brilliance.

Here’s what we learned:

Sunil Narine is a match-winner in every sense of the word
Powerplays can deceive you in T20 cricket
Spinners on slow pitches are devastating, even more so in death overs
IPL 2025 is wide open, with multiple teams still fighting for playoff spots

For KKR fans, this was a confidence-boosting victory. For DC supporters, it’s a lesson in finishing matches strong. With Narine’s outstanding all-round show setting up KKR’s tense win, this match reminded everyone why Kolkata Knight Riders are perpetual contenders.