The 51st match of IPL 2026 on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi took a dramatic activate Friday night time because the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) confronted a chaotic begin to their 143-run chase. Regardless of being the favorites after a disciplined bowling efficiency that restricted the Delhi Capitals (DC) to 142/8, KKR’s prime order was rocked by a sequence of occasions that defied logic. In a span of simply 4 deliveries, each captain Ajinkya Rahane and younger wicketkeeper-batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi departed in blink-and-you-miss-it trend, leaving the dugout in disbelief.
KKR shocked after dropping Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi in fast succession vs DC
Chasing a modest goal of 143, KKR appeared to be in cruise management earlier than the ‘Delhi luck’ turned in opposition to them. The drama started within the last ball of the third over. Rahane (13 off 9) was wanting elegant, having already dispatched a six and a boundary. Nonetheless, a thunderous straight drive from Finn Allen off Mitchell Starc resulted in a freak run-out. Starc managed to get a determined left hand to the ball, which deflected straight onto the stumps on the non-striker’s finish with Rahane backing up too far.
The shock deepened simply 4 balls later within the 4th over. Raghuvanshi, coming off a excessive, confronted Axar Patel however lasted solely three deliveries. In what can solely be described as a weird dismissal, Raghuvanshi tried a sweep however missed. The ball struck his arm, lobbed into the air, and slowly trickled again towards the stumps. Raghuvanshi, momentarily dropping sight of the ball, couldn’t react in time because the ball dislodged the bails. At 31/2, KKR went from snug to cautious within the blink of a watch, with Axar celebrating a present of a wicket.
Right here’s the video:
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁? 😮
🎥 2⃣ of the unluckiest dismissals you’ll ever see within the area of 5⃣ deliveries 🫣
Delight for #DC 💙
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/NaWLphmJKY#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #DCvKKR pic.twitter.com/sScNewgsFK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 8, 2026
Additionally WATCH: Anukul Roy castles Tristan Stubbs with an absolute ripper during DC vs KKR encounter
KKR stabilising their chase with injury management in opposition to DC
Regardless of the early tremors, the statistical benefit remained firmly with the lads in Purple and Gold. By the point the Strategic Timeout was known as on the 8-over mark, KKR had reached 67/2, needing simply 76 runs from the remaining 72 balls. The stabilization was spearheaded by Influence Participant Allen, who showcased why he is without doubt one of the most harmful strikers within the format. Allen’s unbeaten 43 off 26 balls, that includes 5 fours and two huge sixes, stored the scoreboard ticking at a wholesome Run Price of 8.37.
On the different finish, Cameron Inexperienced (10 off 10) performed the anchor position, making certain no additional wickets fell to the spin duo of Kuldeep and Axar. Whereas DC’s bowlers, notably Axar (1/23), tried to squeeze the scoring, the low goal meant KKR solely required a 6.33 RR to safe the factors.
Earlier within the night, KKR’s bowling unit had set the stage. Anukul Roy (3/12) and Kartik Tyagi (2/25) have been the choose of the bowlers, dismantling a DC lineup that noticed Pathum Nissanka (50) combat a lone battle.
Additionally READ: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia opens up on the decision to relocate IPL 2026 final to Ahmedabad from Bengaluru
