Anticipation runs high as Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare to lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. With the playoff race heating up, both teams are desperate for a crucial win that could shape their fate in IPL 2025. The energy is palpable in the stands and across the city, as loyal supporters hope their team can seize the moment on such a grand stage.
Yet, as the mercury climbs in Delhi, external conditions may play an even bigger role than usual. The famous Kotla pitch and the city's late-April heatwave could throw up surprises for both batters and bowlers. Will battle-hardened players adapt quickly to the sticky, humid air and unpredictable surface? As temperatures and tension soar, nature looks set to add its own twist to this high-stakes IPL contest.

Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium is known for close finishes and rapid surface changes. With temperatures soaring in late April, conditions will not just test skill but stamina. The evening game coincides with a heatwave—Delhi’s notorious 'loo’ winds sweeping in and barely a cloud in the sky to offer relief.
Expect the thermometer to hit a stubborn 41°C at kickoff, only dropping modestly as night falls. Humidity will rise, creating a muggy cauldron. Unlike earlier in the season, rain and dew are unlikely to play a role, but the balmy night air could wear down fielders and impact bowlers’ grip during high-pressure moments.
| Time | Temperature | RealFeel | Conditions | Dew Point | Humidity | Wind | Cloud Cover | Dew Factor | Air Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | 36°C | 34°C | Hazy moonlight | 12°C | 23% | ENE 11 km/h | 1% | Minimal | Unhealthy |
| 20:00 | 35°C | 33°C | Hazy moonlight | 12°C | 25% | E 11 km/h | 1% | Minimal | Unhealthy |
| 21:00 | 34°C | 33°C | Hazy moonlight | 13°C | 27% | E 11 km/h | 2% | Minimal | Unhealthy |
| 22:00 | 33°C | 32°C | Hazy moonlight | 13°C | 29% | E 11 km/h | 1% | Minimal | Unhealthy |
| 23:00 | 32°C | 31°C | Hazy moonlight | 13°C | 31% | E 11 km/h | 1% | Minimal | Unhealthy |
Delhi Capitals (DC):
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
Historically, the Arun Jaitley Stadium surface has something for everyone. Chasing teams have found confidence here, with 60% of IPL wins going to the side batting second. The wicket starts true but often slows under lights, offering variable pace and some help for both seamers and slower bowlers.
Early overs with the new ball present decent bounce and carry, but as the game progresses, slower balls and cutters grip the surface well. While aggressive batters can cash in during the Powerplay, shot selection becomes critical during the middle overs. The average first-innings score hovers around 167 runs, but savvy batting and late-innings fireworks can push totals close to 190. Expect bowlers with variations and batters with strong game sense to come to the fore.
Both squads have reported all players fit and available for selection. With injuries not dictating the playing eleven, tactical calls and form become paramount as the teams finalise their lineup. Expect a full-strength, high-octane clash with every player raring to make a mark in this key battle.
DC: KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav
KKR: Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Luvnith Sisodia, Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Chetan Sakariya