The 70th match of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season concluded with a sensational display of cricketing dominance at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. In the final league game of the tournament on Sunday, Delhi Capitals (DC) silenced a passionate Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) home crowd with an emphatic 40-run victory. Capitalizing on a roaring start and a masterclass in spin bowling, Delhi successfully defended a formidable total, leaving KKR’s batting order entirely out of answers in their chase.
KL Rahul’s clinical start pushes DC to post a competitive total against KKR
Opting to assert dominance early on the Eden Gardens surface, Delhi Capitals posted a massive 203/5 in their designated 20 overs. The foundation of this mountain of runs was laid by wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who played a breathtaking, clinical knock at the top of the order. Rahul took absolute charge after opening partner Abishek Porel departed for 22.
Displaying an aggressive yet calculated approach, Rahul blazed his way to a half-century off just 25 deliveries, consistently exploiting the powerplay gaps. He ultimately smashed a brilliant 60 off 30 balls, striking at an explosive rate of 200.00, peppered with five fours and four towering sixes.
Rahul found able partners in Sahil Parakh (24 off 17) and skipper Axar Patel, who contributed a crucial 39 off 25 balls. Despite Saurabh Dubey’s best efforts for KKR with the ball (2/28), David Miller’s quickfire 28 and Ashutosh Sharma’s unbeaten 18-run cameo pushed Delhi past the psychological 200-run milestone.
Kuldeep Yadav dismantles KKR batting line up sealing victory in the last league game
Chasing a steep target of 204 runs, the Kolkata Knight Riders started with intent. Captain Ajinkya Rahane anchored the innings beautifully, defying his critics with a magnificent 63 off 39 balls, clear with seven boundaries and four sixes. However, Rahane lacked sustained support from the opposite end as Lungi Ngidi (3/27) ripped through the top order, sending Finn Allen (20) and Manish Pandey (25) back to the dugout.
The true turning point arrived when Delhi introduced their premier left-arm wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, as an Impact Player. Kuldeep completely dismantled KKR’s middle and lower order with a magical spell of 3/29 in his four overs.
He first outsmarted the dangerous Cameron Green for just 2, before dealing a double-blow in the 14th over. Kuldeep dismissed a well-set Rahane, caught safely by David Miller, and followed it up on the very next delivery by removing the dangerous Rinku Singh for a golden duck.
From 128/3, KKR collapsed into absolute ruin. Axar Patel chimed in by clean-bowling Tejasvi Dahiya, and Mitchell Starc wiped out the tail with a quick double-wicket burst. KKR were eventually bundled out for 163 in 18.4 overs. The brilliant combinations of Rahul’s early fireworks and Kuldeep’s web of spin ensured the Delhi Capitals finished their league phase on an absolute high.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Delhi Capitals finish their campaign on a high with sizzling win over KKR 🔥#KKRvsDC #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/6BFXpFscci
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 24, 2026
Solid win by DC.
Delhi capitals is a good team I don’t think they should change too many things going in to next season. Just play with better combination
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 24, 2026
FEEL FOR KL RAHUL 💔
– Gives 500 or 600 runs season every single time but yet to play an IPL final in last 10 years, hopefully he will get that glory very soon. pic.twitter.com/B19Kt1xFGK
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 24, 2026
YET ANOTHER OUTSTANDING SEASON FOR KL RAHUL.
– 593 runs at an average of 44.42 with 174.41 Strike Rate. KL gave his all for the franchise, unfortunately missed out on the qualifications. 💔 pic.twitter.com/4jp5PGilG8
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 24, 2026
🚨 Meet KL Rahul , an underrated cricketer 🚨
Look at his IPL 2026 performance,your eyes will open.
– Innings – 14
– Total Runs: 593
– Highest Score: 152*
– Average: 45.61
– Strike Rate – 176.3
– Fifties – 6
– Not Out – 1
– POTM – 1
– Best Innings: 152* vs PBKS– He smashed… pic.twitter.com/lEfJcf2ylX
— manzur shaban (@Manzurshaban123) May 24, 2026
No One plays Sunil Narine better than KL Rahul 🥵 pic.twitter.com/8kF8HsiLtG
— 𝙎. (@KLfied_) May 24, 2026
Thank you so much KL Rahul ❤️
The best buy DC had in this cycle. I know you will come back next season and again score 600 runs. It’s that simple for you. I hope you continue scoring runs and DC wins the trophy. And I really hope you retire from IPL with Delhi Capitals only. https://t.co/UgoH0BgkPS
— SAKETH ᵀʰᵉ ᴾᵃʳᵃᵈⁱˢᵉ (@SakethR87568651) May 24, 2026
KL Rahul- 174 Strike rate + 593 Runs In This IPL Season Even After Playing With All These Snakes 🐍 🙄
None Of Them Not Even Crossed 300 Runs 👀
This shows How Great, superb And consistent Our KL Is…. isn’t it Dc and KL Fans ? pic.twitter.com/zea5zGfVXe
— KL Rahul 💙 (@gur_otal64994) May 24, 2026
Redemption Kuldeep Yadav pic.twitter.com/5yYjUl1Kbq
— Abxd (@ABXD_DC) May 24, 2026
Kuldeep Yadav looked so angry😡😡 at Abhishek Porel after he dropped the catch on the hat-trick ball. 😬😬#KKRvsDC pic.twitter.com/e6cB9lwaSp
— Indian Cricket (@IPL2025Auction) May 24, 2026
Kuldeep Yadav was just one wicket away from a hat-trick, but Abhishekh Porel missed the catch and the big moment slipped away. 😡😡 What could’ve been a special moment ended in frustration.#KuldeepYadav #KKRvsDC pic.twitter.com/IvB8YsCBgo
— Faruk (@uf2151593) May 24, 2026
Kuldeep Yadav Late but he will be forgiven ❤️pic.twitter.com/8ZFWKjVlKf
— ADA SHARE (@ada_share) May 24, 2026
Kuldeep yadav hates kkr so much and always performs against them😭 pic.twitter.com/K4QcgoTHAX
— Abxd (@ABXD_DC) May 24, 2026
