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Kuldeep To Trouble Narine, Rahane? Player Battles To Watch Out In DC vs KKR IPL Match

Arnav Chopra

Kuldeep Yadav Vs Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine (Source: @IPL/X.com)Kuldeep Yadav Vs Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine (Source: @IPL/X.com)

The 48th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will feature Delhi Capitals (DC) up against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This high-octane clash will take place on April 29th, 2025, from 7:30 PM IST.

The Delhi Capitals side are currently fourth on the table with six wins out of their nine games, as they have 12 points and a net run rate of +0.482. In their previous encounter, they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets.

Conversely, the Kolkata Knight Riders are in a tough position with three wins so far in nine games, while one match was abandoned due to rain, meaning they have seven points and a net run rate of +0.212. They're coming off a no-result against Punjab Kings, as heavy rain didn't let the match happen.

Also, this will be the first and only time both sides will clash against each other in this edition of the IPL 2025. Therefore, before this top-notch encounter, let's have a look at the player battles to watch out for.

1. KL Rahul vs Sunil Narine

Criterion
Data
Innings11
Runs114
Wickets2
Balls85
Average57.00
Strike Rate134.11
  • KL Rahul has faced Sunil Narine 11 times in the IPL before, where he's managed to score 114 runs against him off just 85 deliveries, meaning he has a strike rate of 134.11, while he has only been dismissed twice.
  • This clearly reflects that KL Rahul has dominated Sunil Narine in the IPL, as he has also averaged 57 against him, meaning Narine has struggled against Rahul. Hence, to counter Sunil Narine, KL Rahul can be an optimal asset, as he can play Narine's spin comfortably without getting into much trouble.
  • So, for DC to neutralize Narine's overs, KL Rahul needs to stay at the crease for the longest time possible.

2. Tristan Stubbs vs Varun Chakaravarthy

Criterion
Data
Innings2
Runs27
Wickets2
Balls17
Average13.50
Strike Rate158.82
  • DC's middle-order batter, Tristan Stubbs, is generally a power hitter, but has struggled against the spin of Varun Chakaravarthy.
  • In two innings so far, Chakaravarthy has managed to dismiss Stubbs on both occasions, as he has only been able to manage 27 runs off the seven deliveries he has faced.
  • Saving Chakaravarthy's overs for the death overs, when Tristan Stubbs is at the crease, could be a great ploy, considering Stubbs likes to take on the opposition in the last few overs, and that's when Varun's spin could come in handy for the Knight Riders, as they can halt the South African and keep him quiet for long.

3. Axar Patel vs Sunil Narine

Criterion
Data
Innings12
Runs29
Wickets3
Balls35
Average9.66
Strike Rate82.85
  • Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel has come out all guns blazing in this edition of the IPL with the bat and with the ball. The left-hander has promoted himself up the order on multiple occasions and has kept producing results for his side with the bat specifically.
  • For KKR to keep Axar on stranglehold, Sunil Narine could be the answer, as the Caribbean spinner has managed to dismiss him three times out of 12 occasions, while he has only been able to manage 29 runs off 35 balls, meaning his strike rate is just 82.85 against him.
  • If Axar promotes himself against KKR, Sunil Narine should be immediately brought into the attack to nullify Axar's effect.

4. Sunil Narine vs Kuldeep Yadav

Criterion
Data
Innings2
Runs4
Wickets2
Balls3
Average2.00
Strike Rate133.33
  • Another major battle that could come in would be between KKR's opener Sunil Narine and DC's left-arm chinaman spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep has dismissed Narine on both occasions he has bowled against him, while Narine has only been able to manage four runs off the three deliveries he has faced.
  • Considering Narine is a genuine power hitter who opens the innings, Kuldeep could be brought in inside the powerplay at the beginning to keep Sunil Narine on mute and could even dismiss him early if the odds stack up in his favour.
  • Narine's numbers are absolutely dismal against Kuldeep, who has sent him back twice in just three deliveries, meaning he has had extreme trouble facing the left-arm chinaman spinner. Narine is an explosive top-order batter; hence, bringing Kuldeep in early would be ideal.

5. Ajinkya Rahane vs Kuldeep Yadav

Criterion
Data
Innings5
Runs19
Wickets2
Balls27
Average9.50
Strike Rate70.37
  • Another player whom Kuldeep has dominated over is KKR's skipper Ajinkya Rahane, where he has dismissed him twice in five occasions.
  • Kuldeep has bowled 27 deliveries to Rahane, where the right-hander has only been able to manage 19 runs at a strike rate of just 70.37, reflecting his ability to keep the right-hander in shackles for the longest time possible, while the KKR captain has had trouble against him in the past.
  • Therefore, the left-arm chinaman spinner can again be brought in to keep Rahane silent because if Rahane gets into his zone, he would be difficult to stop. Additionally, Rahane has been in fine form; hence, Kuldeep's role could be vital here.