Right then, that’s a wrap from this high-octane clash where Kolkata Knight Riders walk away with two vital points, keeping their playoff hopes alive, while Delhi Capitals face a second consecutive setback, losing ground at a crucial stage in the tournament. Next up in the Indian Premier League, it’s Match 49 as Chennai Super Kings welcome Punjab Kings to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai! It’s a crucial game for Punjab Kings, who’ll be desperate to bag those two points to stay in the playoff hunt. While CSK, with nothing to lose, will look to find their right combination, play fearless cricket, and possibly play spoilsport in the playoff race. The clash unfolds on 30th April, Wednesday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Make sure to tune in early for all the pre-match build-up. Until then, it’s goodbye and cheers.

Sunil Narine is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for all-round brilliance. He collects the award and joins in for a chat. Sunil says it was a total team effort, with the kind of start Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave them, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, along with Rinku Singh, put up crucial runs with the bat. He says that he backs himself and there are games when the starts are bad but end well and vice versa as well. Mentions that all the wickets were crucial, so he enjoyed the entire spell and appreciates the entire unit for delivering after a few tough outings. On his direct hit, he says he just feels good to pull such runouts for the team, and just threw it as hard as possible. Talks about the hard work that he puts in, which allows the captain to know he is there to put his hand up and contribute when needed. 

Ajinkya Rahane, the victorious skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, is in for a chat. On his right hand injury, he says it is fine and should get better before the next game. On being asked about the game changing moment, he points the phase where Narine took two wickets, where DC lost three wickets, it was the game for them. Admits that they fell short of 15-20 runs while batting. Adds that Sunil Narine bowled really well and received good support from Andre Russell and Anukul Roy. On Anukul Roy's selection, he says that he has been doing well for KKR and they just decided to back him this time. On Narine, he calls him a champion bowler for a reason and a genuine match winner. Feels that as a captain, it is good to have him and Varun in the side. Further adds that Narine has been coming early for the practice sessions and is working really hard in batting as well. On Russell, he tells that he is bowling yorkers in the training sessions and they though they can back him to bowl in the death. Mentions Russell has been fantastic for them and is picking up wickets, whenever he has been called to bowl.

It's time for the Presentation Ceremony ...

The birthday boy, Andre Russell, is in for a chat next. He says that he asked a win from the team as a gift and is pleased to get it. Adds that it was a great effort from the boys to first get runs on the board and force mistakes in the bowling. Talks about the final over and says he wanted to bowl 6 yorkers and stick to that, which doesn't let the mind think anything else. Says as a team, there is a lot to get right, and they have been working hard in practice and are just unable to execute that in the game and will need to go play freely. Appreciates the way Sunil Narine bowled and says those wickets were crucial in winning the game, and credits the bowlers for bowling well. States that once they get 200 on the board, they have the bowling to defend it. Concludes that Sunil Narine is very active on the field and despite his quiet personality, on the park, he is a leader and expresses himself. 

The captain of Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel, is up for a chat. He highlights that their bowling in the powerplay was not up to the mark and admits they gave a bit too many runs, and also accepts that their calculation while chasing was not perfect. Feels that the match turns on its head with a couple of soft dismissals. On being asked about the positives, he says they fought back nicely after a poor powerplay with the ball and restricted KKR to a chaseable total. On his hand injury, he informs that the skin got peeled off as his hand brushed off the pitch. Adds that during the second innings, two or three of their batters didn't contribute but still the others covered up pretty well. Points that they needed a couple of big hits to secure two points but also adds they have lost close games this season. Says in such situations, one need to keep calm and take the game deep. On Vipraj Nigam, he says when he was scoring runs, there was a hope but also highlights if Ashutosh had supported him, the game was theirs. Also concludes by appreciating Vipraj's bowling.

Earlier in the game, Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a flying start, laying a solid foundation for a massive total. While they looked set to go big, a flurry of wickets in the middle overs halted their momentum. Angkrish Raghuvanshi stood tall, anchoring the innings with maturity, and Rinku Singh chipped in with a valuable knock, but the finishing kick never quite came. KKR lost steam in the death overs, eventually huffing and puffing their way past the 200-run mark. Delhi Capitals struck at key moments, with Vipraj Nigam and Axar Patel picking up crucial middle-order wickets, while Mitchell Starc capped things off brilliantly with a three-wicket haul to close the innings on a high.

Faf continued with composure, notching up a fine half-century, while Axar played a gritty hand of 43 runs. But just as Delhi seemed to have regained control, Sunil Narine turned the tide with a decisive spell, dismissing Axar, Faf, and snatching momentum back with three crucial wickets. With Delhi wobbling at 146/6, Varun Chakaravarthy, after an expensive start, made a stunning comeback with two wickets in two balls, dismissing Ashutosh Sharma, Delhi’s final beacon of hope and slamming the door shut on the hosts. Vipraj Nigam, however, refused to go down quietly. His fiery 38 off just 19 balls added late drama and, importantly, reduced the margin of defeat, potentially playing a big role in net run rate calculations in the matches to come.

Chasing 205, DC got off to a rocky start, losing two wickets inside the Powerplay. While Faf du Plessis held firm at one end, a big turning point came when KL Rahul was run out shortly after the fielding restrictions were lifted, leaving Delhi reeling at 60/3. Battling through injury, Axar Patel walked in and showed immense character, forging a vital 76-run stand with Faf that steadied the chase and reignited hopes in the dugout.

Kolkata Knight Riders hold their nerve to keep their playoff hopes alive! They finally break their losing streak and grab a much-needed victory, edging past Delhi Capitals by 14 runs in a high-pressure clash. With this win, KKR secure two crucial points, keeping themselves in the hunt for the playoffs. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals suffer their second straight defeat, and just when the tournament is entering a decisive phase, momentum is slipping away from them.

Kuldeep Yadav will walk out to face the final ball. 

Vipraj Nigam is dejected to have not crossed on the last ball of the over. Which means it will be Dushmantha Chameera to face the first ball of the final over. Will it be Andre Russell or Vaibhav Arora to bowl the final over? Sunil Narine turns to Andre Russell. He went for 13 in his first over and has 24 runs to defend here. 

Is it a run out? The throw comes at the keeper, who flicks the bails off in a flash, but that desperate dive from Vipraj Nigam might just save him. The third umpire is summoned and the side on replay shows the bat to be just inside the crease. NOT OUT!