IPL 2024: 5 Best DC vs KKR matches in IPL history

4. 2012 Qualifier

In the 2012 IPL, Kolkata got the better of Delhi by 18 runs in the first Qualifier in Pune and qualified for the final. Yusuf Pathan became the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 40 off just 21. Earlier in the contest, KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to bat first. Captain Gambhir exuded confidence with his bat and notched up 32 off just 16 but Brendon McCullum and Jacques Kallis struggled to amass runs at a swift pace. 

In the crunch situation, Yusuf Pathan and Laxmi Shukla stepped up and stitched a 56-run partnership off just 24 balls. Yusuf hit an unbeaten 40 off just 21 while Shukla also played a 24-run knock off just 11 deliveries. Kolkata posted 162 runs on the board at the end of their 20 overs.

Following the target, Delhi lost David Warner and Virender Sehwag early but Naman Ojha and Mahela Jayawardene built a 59-run partnership to bring Delhi back into the game. However, Rajat Bhatia struck Delhi with Naman Ojha’s wicket and with the right-handed batter’s departure, the Capitals lost their wickets consistently and fell 18 runs short in the end.