KKR's turnaround gives them real playoff hopes, says Tare after DC rout
Synopsis
KKR's four-match winning streak has reshaped their season narrative from crisis to contention. With Finn Allen's explosive debut century, their spin trio strangling opposition batsmen, and Cameron Green in form, the franchise that lost five straight now looks primed for a playoff push — if momentum holds.
Key Takeaways
KKR defeated DC by eight wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium , extending their winning streak to four consecutive victories .
Finn Allen struck an unbeaten maiden IPL century , chasing down 143 runs in 14.2 overs .
Sunil Narine , Varun Chakravarthy , and Anukul Roy restricted DC to 142/8 with a masterclass in spin bowling.
Former cricketer Aditya Tare praised KKR 's turnaround, saying they now have genuine top-four playoff chances.
DC 's middle order scored just 10 runs off 30 balls , displaying passive batting in a critical phase.
Former cricketer Aditya Tare on Friday praised Kolkata Knight Riders' resurgence after a stuttering start to the season, asserting that their newfound momentum positions them as genuine contenders for a top-four finish. KKR extended their winning streak to four consecutive victories with a commanding eight-wicket triumph over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, chasing down 143 in just 14.2 overs.
Allen's maiden century powers KKR chase
Finn Allen delivered a breakout IPL performance, smashing an unbeaten maiden century to dismantle the DC bowling attack single-handedly. His aggressive batting defined the chase, with KKR reaching their target with consummate ease on Friday evening.
Spin stranglehold seals KKR's dominance
KKR's bowling unit executed a suffocating performance, with spinners Sunil Narine (1-17), Varun Chakravarthy (0-28), and Anukul Roy (2-31) reducing DC to 142/8. The trio's masterclass in slow bowling choked DC's middle order, preventing any meaningful momentum build in the middle overs.
Tare's verdict on KKR's turnaround
"IPL is won by teams that build momentum at the business end, and KKR, with back-to-back victories, have turned their season around when it mattered most," Tare said on JioStar. He highlighted the franchise's balanced firepower: their spin attack regaining potency, pace bowlers picking up regular wickets, and batting stars Allen and Cameron Green striking form simultaneously. "They lost five games in a row at the start, but now they have turned it around and will fancy their chances of getting into the race for the top four," he added.
DC's middle-order collapse proves costly
Delhi's batting lineup crumbled under KKR's spin siege, managing just 10 runs off 30 balls during a critical middle-over stretch. Tare criticised the passivity, noting that DC batters failed to shift momentum back onto the bowlers. "There was a clear lack of intent. You rarely see such a passive stretch of play in T20 cricket," he observed. Ashutosh Sharma's late cameo salvaged some respectability, but the damage was already done.
What lies ahead
KKR will seek to extend their winning run to five consecutive victories in their next fixture, riding the combined form of their bowling unit and attacking batsmen. The franchise's early-season struggles now appear a distant memory as they build toward a genuine playoff push.
Point of View
Explosive batting, pace picking up. The real test comes against stronger bowling attacks where Allen's approach may face stiffer examination. But for now, KKR have shifted from salvage mode to genuine contention, and that matters in a 10-team race where margin for error is razor-thin.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aditya Tare say about KKR's turnaround?
Tare praised KKR's momentum-building at the business end of the season, noting that their four consecutive victories have positioned them as genuine playoff contenders. He highlighted their balanced firepower — spin attack, pace bowlers, and in-form batsmen — as the key to their resurgence.
How did KKR defeat Delhi Capitals?
KKR won by eight wickets, chasing down DC's total of 142/8 in just 14.2 overs. Finn Allen's unbeaten maiden IPL century powered the chase, with KKR's batsmen making light work of the modest target.
What was DC's total and how did they reach it?
DC posted 142/8 after being strangled by KKR's spin attack. Sunil Narine (1-17), Varun Chakravarthy (0-28), and Anukul Roy (2-31) dominated the middle overs, restricting DC's batsmen to just 10 runs off 30 balls at one stage.
Who is Finn Allen and what did he achieve in this match?
Finn Allen is a KKR batter who struck an unbeaten maiden IPL century in this match against DC. His explosive batting single-handedly dismantled the Delhi bowling attack and sealed the chase in 14.2 overs.
How does this win impact KKR's playoff chances?
KKR's fourth consecutive victory keeps their playoff dreams alive after they lost five games in a row earlier in the season. Tare believes their turnaround gives them genuine chances of finishing in the top four.
