Mumbai: Speaking exclusively on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, JioStar experts Aakash Chopra and Sanjay Bangar shared their insights following Kolkata Knight Riders’ win over Delhi Capitals.
JioStar expert Aakash Chopra on the turning point in Delhi Capitals’ run chase:
“Delhi Capitals had their chances to seal the deal, but it wasn’t just about Faf du Plessis. Someone else had to bat alongside him and take the game deep to build pressure. They didn’t start well. The move by KKR to give Anukul Roy the new ball worked brilliantly. Karun Nair hasn’t made the most of the second chance that cricket has given him. This was a kind of run chase where the eight overs from Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy had to be negotiated. I think KL Rahul’s run-out was absolutely critical. After that, it was their last opportunity. When Tristan Stubbs didn’t contribute, it felt like Delhi was going to fall short.”
JioStar expert Aakash Chopra on KKR’s overall performance and play-off prospects:
“Varun Chakravarthy wasn’t at his best, but KKR made smart choices — Anukul Roy bowled four overs for just 27 runs and took a wicket. Sunil Narine was absolutely outstanding; he won them the game single-handedly with the ball. That said, this KKR team hasn’t peaked yet. Scoring 204 is great, but with the kind of batting depth they have, they could be getting to 240. In the bowling department, Harshit Rana needs to step up. They’ve invested a lot in him, and if they’re not going to play an overseas fast bowler, they need more from their Indian pacers. Let’s not forget, he’s an ICC trophy winner — he’s not a newcomer anymore.”
JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar on KKR’s effective use of spin in the middle overs:
“The wickets in the middle overs were really crucial from KKR’s point of view. They used their spinners very well. What also contributed to their dominant bowling performance was the absence of dew, which allowed the spinners to complete their full quota of 12 overs.”
JioStar expert Aakash Chopra on Sunil Narine’s all-round impact:
“First, he batted brilliantly, and then he bowled. But let’s not forget — that KL Rahul run-out was a direct hit from Sunil Narine. I honestly don’t remember the last time he affected a direct-hit run-out. That was the turning point. Delhi still had a chance at that moment, but the momentum shifted completely once Narine started taking wickets. Especially since Varun Chakravarthy wasn’t at his best — he was leaking runs and lacked the confidence to bowl slower. That’s when it became imperative for Narine to deliver, and he did.”
JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar on Vipraj Nigam’s promising performance for Delhi Capitals: “There’s something special about this youngster. He’s contributing across all three departments of the game. It’s not just his bowling — his batting presence and shot selection, especially through the off-side, really stand out. That tells you he understands the game situation well. Hitting through the off-side in the last four overs is one of the toughest tasks, and he does it with ease. Plus, he’s a gun fielder. For me, he’s one of the finds of the tournament and should definitely be on the radar of franchises in the coming years.”
