On April 29, 2021, the 25th match of the IPL saw an exciting face-off between the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In what proved to be a thrilling chase, the Delhi Capitals emerged victorious by 7 wickets, chasing down Kolkata's total with relative ease.
Kolkata Knight Riders batted first, concluding their innings at 154 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. Despite a promising start, they faltered against a disciplined bowling attack led by Axar Patel and Avesh Khan. KKR's innings was marked by contributions from Shubman Gill, who scored a gritty 43 runs off 38 balls, and Andre Russell, who provided late fireworks with a blistering 45 not out off just 27 balls, hitting 4 sixes. However, a series of wickets fell at critical moments, including the dismissals of Eoin Morgan and Sunil Narine, which hindered their run flow.
In response, the Delhi Capitals showcased their batting prowess, successfully achieving the target in just 16.3 overs, scoring 156 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Prithvi Shaw was the standout performer for Delhi, unleashing a delightful 82 runs off just 41 balls, including 11 boundaries and 3 sixes, commanding the innings with an aggressive strike rate of 200. Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan lent solid support with a well-crafted 46 off 47 balls. The duo set the foundation for a confident chase, while Rishabh Pant's 16-run contribution added to sealing the win.
Kolkata's bowling effort featured Pat Cummins, who picked up 3 wickets for 24 runs but could not prevent the relentless scoring from the Delhi batsmen. Despite a commendable spell from the KKR bowlers, it was evident that the Capitals were in control of the match throughout the chase.
Overall, the match highlighted Delhi's batting depth and strategic acumen, marking another step forward in their quest for the title in the IPL 2021 season, as they continued to build on their winning momentum. The Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, will look to regroup and reassess their strategies in the coming matches.