51st match IPL 2026 It took a dramatic turn on Friday night at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) They got off to a chaotic start for 143 runs. Despite being the favorite after a disciplined bowling performance in the restrictor Delhi Capitals (DC) By 142/8, KKR’s top order had been rocked by a sequence of events that defied logic. In just four overs, both captained Ajinkya Rahane and the young goalkeeper-prospect Angkrish Raghuvanshi He blinked and walked out of the shelter in disbelief.
KKR were stunned after losing Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi consecutively against DC.
Chasing a modest target of 143, KKR looked on cruise control before ‘Delhi’s luck’ came against them. The drama started in the final of the 3rd ball. Rahane (13 off 9) looked elegant, having already sent a six and a boundary. However, the noisy flat drive Find Allen off Mitchell Starc resulted in confusion. Starc managed to reach the ball with a desperate left-hander, which was headed towards the stumps on the non-striker side with Rahane falling too far back.
In the fourth game, the shock deepened just four balls later. Raghuvanshi came down from on high to face him Akhar Patel but lasted just three deliveries. In what can only be described as a freak dismissal, Raghuvanshi attempted a sweep but missed. The ball hit his arm, went up in the air and slowly drifted towards the stumps. Raghuvanshi, who lost sight of the ball for a moment, could not react in time. At 31/2, KKR went from comfortable to wary in the blink of an eye, Akhar notching a wicket.
We present the video:
Can you believe it? 😮
🎥 5⃣ 2 of the most unfortunate layoffs you’ll ever see in a delivery space 🫣
pleasure for #DC 💙
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KKR stabilizes their chase with damage control against DC
Despite the early jitters, the statistical advantage held firm for the men in Purple and Gold. When the Strategic Timeout was called at the 8 over mark, KKR had reached 67/2 needing just 76 runs from the remaining 72 balls. The stabilization was led by Impact Player Allen, who showed why he is one of the most dangerous strikers in the format. Allen’s unbeaten 43 off 26 balls, which included five fours and two big sixes, kept the scoreboard at a healthy Run Rate of 8.37.
At the other end, Cameron Green (10 out of 10) acted as the anchor, keeping the pair of Kuldeep and Akhar from scoring more. DC’s bowlers, especially Axar (1/23), tried to squeeze the score, but a low target required only 6.33 RR to secure points from KKR.
In the evening, KKR’s bowling unit came on stage. Anukul Roy (3/12) and Karthik Tyagi (2/25) saw that a DC lineup demolition, the bowlers had to choose Pathum Nissanka (50) single combat.
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