New Delhi –In a thrilling encounter at the Indian Premier League 2025, KKR beat DC by 14 runs in Match 48, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Sunil Narine played a pivotal role, both with the bat and ball, earning the Player of the Match award after his all-round display. KKR’s victory was built on strong batting performances and crucial contributions in the field, with Narine shining throughout.
Also Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Magnificent Century Stuns IPL: The 14-Year-Old Creates History
KKR’s Batting Fireworks Set Challenging Target
When KKR beat DC by 14 runs, they posted an impressive total of 204/9 in their 20 overs. The team’s innings began explosively with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but it was young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi who stood out, top-scoring with a fluent 44 from 32 balls. Raghuvanshi played a key role in KKR’s solid start, with his partnership alongside Gurbaz providing the foundation for the team’s total.
Rinku Singh continued his excellent form with a quickfire 36 off just 25 balls, taking the total beyond the 200-mark. Despite a solid performance from Mitchell Starc, who picked up 3/43 in four overs for DC, KKR managed to set a challenging target. Axar Patel’s economical bowling (2/27 in four overs) was DC’s brightest spot, but they still faced a tough chase.
“We fell short of 15-20 runs while batting,” KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane admitted after the match, pointing out that they had aimed for a higher total. Nevertheless, KKR’s score of 204/9 was still a daunting target for the Delhi-based side.
Narine’s Triple Strike Derails DC’s Chase
The key moment came when KKR beat DC by 14 runs, and it was Sunil Narine who turned the match in KKR’s favor. Chasing 205, Delhi Capitals began their innings with confidence, led by their captain, Faf du Plessis, who scored a composed 62 from 45 balls. His knock helped keep DC in the chase during the middle overs, but KKR’s spinners proved to be the game-changers.
Narine’s brilliant bowling performance was crucial to KKR’s win. He finished with 3/29 in his four overs, removing key DC batsmen at critical moments. Alongside him, mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy picked up 2/39, tightening the grip on DC’s chase. Together, they effectively strangled DC’s batting lineup, putting KKR on top.
“The phase where Narine took two wickets, where DC lost three wickets, it was the game for us,” Rahane said in the post-match interview, highlighting the pivotal role Narine played in shifting the momentum.
Axar’s Valiant Efforts Falls Short
Axar Patel provided a valiant effort in the latter stages of the chase, scoring a rapid 43 from just 23 balls. His powerful strokes threatened to take the game away from KKR, but the Kolkata-based team’s death bowling kept DC at bay. Andre Russell, celebrating his birthday, bowled a crucial final over, delivering yorkers to perfection and ensuring that DC fell short by 14 runs.
“I asked for a win from the team as a gift and am pleased to get it,” Russell said after the match. His final over, which contained precise yorkers, sealed the victory for KKR.
KKR’s Fielding Brilliance
The fielding display from KKR also played an integral role in their victory. Narine’s direct hit run-out in the middle overs added to KKR’s dominance in the field. “I just feel good to pull such run-outs for the team, and just threw it as hard as possible,” Narine remarked during his post-match interview.
The West Indian’s all-round brilliance — both with bat and ball — highlighted why he remains one of the most valuable players in T20 cricket. His contributions ensured KKR beat DC by 14 runs and maintained their push for a spot in the playoffs.
DC Captain Reflects on Missed Opportunities
Despite the defeat, DC captain Axar Patel admitted that his side made some critical mistakes that cost them the game. “Our bowling in the powerplay was not up to the mark, and we gave a bit too many runs,” he said. “Our calculation while chasing was not perfect. The match turns on its head with a couple of soft dismissals.”
Axar, however, did find positives in his team’s fighting spirit. He praised young player Vipraj Nigam’s performance and mentioned how the team’s recovery after a poor powerplay was commendable.
Narine’s Rise As An All-Rounder
One of the key highlights of IPL 2025 has been Sunil Narine’s transformation into a genuine all-rounder. Rahane spoke about Narine’s dedication, saying, “Narine has been coming early for practice sessions and is working really hard on his batting as well.”
Narine’s development as a consistent performer in all aspects of the game has been a major boost for KKR, and his impact was evident in the match against DC. “He backs himself and there are games when the starts are bad but end well and vice versa as well,” Rahane added, underscoring Narine’s importance to the team.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications
As KKR beat DC by 14 runs, KKR strengthened their position in the playoff race, while DC suffered a second consecutive defeat. The loss leaves DC with little room for error in the remaining matches of the tournament.
Looking ahead, KKR will be keen to maintain their momentum as they head into the crucial final stages of the IPL. Rahane expressed hope that his injury would heal in time for the next match, with KKR aiming to continue their push for a playoff berth.
On the other hand, DC will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks in their quest for the playoffs. The loss against KKR as KKR beat DC by 14 runs, is a significant blow to their aspirations, and they’ll need to regroup ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
Final Word: KKR’s All-Round Dominance
KKR’s victory was a true testament to their all-round capabilities. From strong batting performances to excellent bowling and fielding, KKR beat DC by 14 runs, proving why they remain one of the most formidable teams in the IPL. Narine’s performance, in particular, stood out, earning him the Player of the Match award and underlining his value as one of the premier all-rounders in T20 cricket.
As Russell aptly summarized after the match, “Once we get 200 on the board, we have the bowling to defend it.” KKR beat DC by 14 runs, showcasing that when they post a strong total, their bowling attack is more than capable of defending it.
