KKR Strongest XI vs DC For IPL 2026, Match 51. Credits- AP
After winning the last three of their games, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will next take on the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, in Match 51 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) on Friday (May 8).
In their last outing, KKR bagged an easy victory over the high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad. Varun Chakaravarthy set the game up in the first innings, returning with three wickets. Kartik Tyagi and Sunil Narine also bagged two apiece. As a result, they bowled out the Orange Army for 165.
In the chase, Finn Allen gave them a fiery start, but it was the partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi that almost sealed the deal for KKR. Eventually, Rinku Singh and Cameron Green took them home.
Ahead of their next big game, we take a look at the best KKR Playing XI vs DC.
KKR Playing XI vs DC, IPL 2026, Match 51
Top Order: Ajinkya Rahane, Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane played a calm knock in the last game, as is expected from the KKR captain. Although his 43-run knock came at a questionable strike rate, it was the need of the hour vs SRH.
If Rahane played a calm hand, it was Finn Allen's explosive 29 that set the chase up, when he majorly took on Pat Cummins. However, the Kiwi dasher would need to play a longer innings for his place in the KKR Playing XI vs DC.
Just like Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi played a conservative knock for his 59 runs. However, he will be a major part of the KKR Playing XI.
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Middle Order & All-Rounders: Rinku Singh, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy
Rinku Singh has been the main man for KKR's redemption. He has slammed 53*, 83* and 22* in his last three outing, contributing in Kolkata's three-game winning streak. He will likely be a crucial cog as they need to beat DC in Delhi.
Cameron Green has finally started to repay the trust invested in him. The burly all-rounder is contributing with both bat and ball, but more importantly, he has been a core member of this KKR Playing XI.
We all know what Rovman Powell can do on his day. However, IPL 2026 has yet to witness his demolition of the opposition. Given Powell has played for Delhi, he will likely be a key part of the KKR Playing XI vs DC. One thing about the Caribbean player is that he always gives his 100% for the team, like Powell did on the field vs SRH.
Manish Pandey can bat anywhere from number 3 to 7. KKR will look to utilise the veteran batter well against DC's potent bowling. Anukul Roy, on the other hand, will be crucial to the KKR Playing XI with his left-arm spin.
Bowlers: Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kartik Tyagi
KKR has one of the most daunting spin attacks in IPL 2026. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy love bowling together as they share a brilliant camaraderie, allowing each other to bowl according to the opposition’s weakness. If there has to be one venue outside Kolkata, it has to be Delhi, which would favour the Chakaravarthy-Narine duo.
If KKR has Narine and Chakaravarthy in their spin attack, then Kartik Tyagi and Vaibhav Arora are bowling well in tandem. The two will likely be the difference in the KKR Playing XI vs DC. Either of them will play as the Impact Player, and in our opinion, Arora will sit out in one innings.
There is still no update on Matheesha Pathirana's availability. Thus, he might miss the KKR Playing XI yet again.
KKR Playing XI vs DC- Ajinkya Rahane (c), Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Rinku Singh, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kartik Tyagi
DC vs KKR Impact Player Options
KKR Impact Players: Vaibhav Arora, Ramandeep Singh, Tim Seifert, Navdeep Saini, Tejasvi Dahiya
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