Delhi Capitals signed off their IPL 2026 campaign with a commanding 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in a dead-rubber clash, as KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav starred on Sunday. With Rajasthan Royals defeating Mumbai Indians earlier in the day to seal the final playoff berth, both KKR and Punjab Kings were officially eliminated before the match began. Delhi Capitals had already been knocked out after PBKS’ win over Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, leaving only pride and final standings to play for at Eden Gardens. Batting first after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bowl, Delhi Capitals piled up an imposing 203 for 5, thanks largely to Rahul’s explosive half-century at the top. The DC opener looked in complete control from the beginning, attacking both pace and spin with ease. Rahul hammered five fours and four sixes during his 30-ball 60, registering his sixth fifty of the season. He particularly targeted Sunil Narine, dancing down the track repeatedly to clear the ropes. In one over, Rahul launched Narine for a towering six over long-on before following it up with another boundary over the spinner’s head. Rahul then shifted gears further against Kartik Tyagi, smashing a boundary and a straight six in an over worth 20 runs to race to a 25-ball half-century. At that stage, Delhi looked set for a total well beyond 220. However, KKR managed to regain some control through Anukul Roy, who dismissed Rahul against the run of play. Sahil Parakh also chipped in with 24 before Axar Patel added 39, while Varun Chakravarthy returned with 1 for 35 despite continuing to play with a hairline fracture in his left toe. KKR’s chase began positively, with Rahane leading the charge in what could possibly have been his final appearance for the franchise. The veteran batter produced one of his best innings of the season, smashing 63 off just 39 balls with four fours and four sixes. Rahane attacked aggressively, taking on Auqib Nabi with back-to-back sixes before repeating the same against Axar Patel to bring up a rapid 31-ball fifty. But just when KKR appeared to be building momentum, Kuldeep Yadav completely turned the game. Returning to the playing XI after being left out and after going wicketless in his previous three matches, the left-arm wrist-spinner tormented his former side with a brilliant spell of 3 for 29. Kuldeep first removed Cameron Green cheaply before producing the decisive moment of the match. Sensing Rahane moving across, he bowled a tossed-up delivery outside leg stump that dipped sharply. Rahane attempted to loft it straight but only managed to slice it to David Miller. On the very next ball, Kuldeep dismissed Rinku Singh for a duck, putting KKR in complete trouble. He nearly completed a hat-trick as well after Tejasvi Dahiya edged the following delivery, but Abhishek Porel dropped the chance behind the stumps. From there, KKR collapsed rapidly and were bowled out for 163 in 18.4 overs, slumping to their seventh defeat of the season. Mitchell Starc also impressed against his former franchise with figures of 2 for 26, while Lungi Ngidi cleaned up the tail with 3 for 27. The result helped Delhi Capitals finish sixth on the points table with seven wins and seven losses, moving above KKR, who ended seventh after another disappointing campaign under Rahane’s leadership.
