IPL 2026: Kuldeep Yadav's double strike turned DC vs KKR match, says Doull
Synopsis
Simon Doull pinpointed the exact moment Delhi Capitals broke KKR's chase — Kuldeep Yadav's double strike in the middle overs. But the real story is what the match revealed: DC needed just one more win from their close losses to have made the playoffs, and Kuldeep's 3/29 farewell only underlines how fine those margins truly were.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Capitals beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 40 runs in their final IPL 2026 league match.
Kuldeep Yadav finished with 3 for 29 , ending the season with 10 wickets overall.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull called Kuldeep's back-to-back dismissals the 'turning point' of the match.
Mitchell Starc's catch to dismiss Manish Pandey was highlighted as another key moment.
DC moved from eighth to sixth on the points table but missed the playoffs; a 75 all-out against RCB and a one-run loss to GT were cited as critical setbacks.
Both KKR and DC were eliminated from IPL 2026 after the final league-phase round.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has attributed Delhi Capitals' commanding 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 to a combination of disciplined bowling from DC and a batting collapse by KKR, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's back-to-back wickets identified as the decisive turning point of the contest.
Kuldeep's Spell: The Turning Point
Kuldeep, who finished the IPL 2026 season with just 10 wickets overall, saved his best for last — returning figures of 3 for 29 in what proved to be his final outing of the campaign. Speaking on Star Sports, Doull was emphatic about the spinner's impact. 'The game turned when Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in quick succession. Once new batters walked in, Kuldeep looked like a different bowler. That spell was the turning point. His ability to pick wickets in the middle overs is priceless,' Doull said.
Doull also highlighted the tactical intelligence behind Kuldeep's performance. 'Kuldeep varied his pace smartly, bowled googlies at the right time, and didn't let any batter settle. He targeted the stumps and forced mistakes. That is what quality spinners do in such situations,' he added. The middle-overs pressure, according to Doull, 'choked the run flow and put the Kolkata Knight Riders under immense pressure.'
KKR's Chase Unravels at 200
Chasing a target of 200, KKR started promisingly before a series of regular wicket-falls derailed their innings. Doull noted that the context of the match — with Mumbai Indians' result in the preceding game already affecting the playoff equation — may have subtly dulled the competitive edge. 'In a chase of 200, you forget how tough it really is. Everything has to fall in place,' he observed. A stunning catch by Mitchell Starc to dismiss Manish Pandey was also singled out as a critical moment. 'In tight games, those moments separate the winners from the losers,' Doull said.
DC's Playoff Near-Miss: The Fine Margins
Delhi Capitals finished the league phase in sixth place, having entered this match in eighth. Doull reflected on the fine margins that cost them a playoffs berth. He pointed specifically to the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in which DC were bowled out for just 75, calling it the match that 'damaged their NRR the most.' A one-run loss to Gujarat Titans (GT) was equally costly. 'They would have been on 16 or 18 points if they had won one or two of those close games. That is the fine line between qualifying and going home,' he said.
KKR's Fight and the IPL's Unpredictability
Doull also acknowledged KKR's resilience through the season despite a poor start. 'Nobody gave them a chance, but they stayed in contention until the last league-phase game. That shows how small the margins are,' he said. He noted that Punjab Kings too had a strong first half yet failed to qualify, underlining the tournament's characteristic unpredictability. 'Until the last day, there is always a chance to make the knockouts,' Doull added.
With both sides now out of the tournament, the focus shifts to how DC and KKR rebuild their squads and strategies ahead of IPL 2027.
Point of View
A one-run defeat there. Delhi Capitals' story this season is one of a side that had the firepower but not the consistency; Kuldeep's brilliant send-off only highlights how differently things could have unfolded had he been this sharp across more matches. For KKR, the bigger concern is structural: a poor start that required a late surge is not a sustainable playoff formula. Both franchises head into the auction window with questions their coaches will find uncomfortable to answer.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Simon Doull say about the DC vs KKR IPL 2026 match?
Simon Doull said the result was shaped by a mix of poor KKR batting and disciplined DC bowling, with Kuldeep Yadav's two quick wickets in the middle overs being the decisive turning point. He made the remarks on Star Sports after Delhi Capitals' 40-run win.
How did Kuldeep Yadav perform in DC's win over KKR?
Kuldeep Yadav took 3 wickets for 29 runs, finishing as the standout bowler in DC's 40-run victory. It was his best performance of IPL 2026, in which he took just 10 wickets across the season.
Why did Delhi Capitals miss the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Delhi Capitals missed the playoffs despite finishing sixth, with close losses proving costly. A collapse to 75 all out against RCB severely damaged their net run rate, and a one-run defeat to Gujarat Titans also denied them crucial points.
Where did Delhi Capitals finish on the IPL 2026 points table?
Delhi Capitals finished sixth on the IPL 2026 points table. They entered their final match in eighth place and moved up after beating KKR by 40 runs, but it was not enough to secure a playoffs spot.
How did KKR perform in IPL 2026?
KKR had a poor start to IPL 2026 but showed resilience to remain in playoff contention until the final league-phase game. Ultimately, they were eliminated, with their middle-order batting identified as a recurring weakness.
