Mitchell Starc produced a stunning fielding effort to help Delhi Capitals tighten their grip on the IPL 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Sunday. The experienced left-arm pacer pulled off a sensational diving catch to dismiss Manish Pandey during KKR’s chase of 204.
Pandey was looking in solid touch after scoring a brisk 25 off just 16 balls, but Starc’s brilliance in the field ended his promising knock and handed Delhi a crucial breakthrough. The wicket came in the ninth over of the innings. Lungi Ngidi bowled a fuller delivery outside off stump, inviting Pandey to go for an attacking shot towards long-on.
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The KKR batter connected well initially, but Starc sprinted in from the boundary and completed a sharp forward-diving catch with both hands. The on-field umpires immediately referred the decision upstairs to ensure the ball had carried cleanly. After multiple replays, the TV umpire confirmed it was a fair catch, sparking celebrations in the Delhi camp.
Fantastic catch by Mitchell Starc 🫡
Manish Pandey departs after a sweet cameo of 26(16) 👌
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 24, 2026
The dismissal marked Ngidi’s second wicket of the night after the South African pacer earlier removed Finn Allen for 20. Delhi also struck another important blow when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Cameron Green cheaply.
Despite the setbacks, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane continued to anchor the chase with a composed half-century, while Rovman Powell looked to accelerate in the middle overs.
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Earlier, Delhi Capitals posted an imposing total of 203/5 after being asked to bat first. KL Rahul led the charge with a blistering 60 off 30 balls, smashing four sixes and five boundaries. Captain Axar Patel also played a valuable knock of 39. With Rajasthan Royals already securing the final playoff spot earlier in the day, this match now carries significance for final league standings as both teams aim to finish their IPL 2026 campaigns on a positive note.
