Why T Natarajan not playing in DC vs KKR?

The Delhi Capitals (DC) take on an in-form Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 51 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Friday, May 8. Both sides are in desperate need of a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. 

DC are currently seventh in the standings with eight points to their name. They have, however, won just one game from their last five outings in the competition. KKR, on the other hand, are eighth in the points table, having won three games on the bounce. 

DC vs KKR: Toss Update

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane called the toss correct and decided to put the hosts into bat. The right-handed batter stated that it is difficult to read a changing Delhi pitch, but they aim to do their best in the game. He also talked highly about the mood in the camp after three wins. DC captain Axar Patel, meanwhile, is not fussed about losing the toss and believes it is always nice to put runs on the board first. 

DC vs KKR: Delhi Capitals make two changes, T.Natarajan misses out for Mukesh Kumar

The Capitals have made two changes to their side, replacing fast bowler T.Natarajan with Mukesh Kumar. Axar Patel labelled the pitch as slightly on the slower side, and maybe that could be the reason behind the change in the team. The other DC change saw Vipraj Nigam come in place of Karun Nair. KKR, meanwhile, named an unchanged side. 

DC vs KKR: What did the captains say?

Ajinkya Rahane, KKR captain, said

We’re going to bowl first. The last 3-4 games whatever we saw, it’s been kind of very different games, 264, 160, the low scoring game against RCB as well, so I thought it’s important to see the wicket, see how it’s playing and then it becomes easier to bat on. But having said that, no winning the toss, losing the toss, it’s all about playing good cricket of 40 overs. (Any changes?) Nothing. (On the surface) See, it’s difficult, frankly it’s difficult to read the wicket, it’s important when you start, whether you’re going to bowl first or bat first, assess the conditions and react to the situation and the conditions accordingly. (On having pretty long breaks between matches) It worked out well for us, when we went during that first big break, we won the game, that mood was really important from team’s point of view. The team’s been amazing, the mood in the group has been amazing. As I said, it’s worked out so well, well for us, this game is all about starting fresh and doing well.

Axar Patel, DC captain, said

“Nothing like that for me, batting first or bowling, you know, that thought is not in our hands. So, as a team, you should be ready whether it’s batting first or bowling first. You just have to be on your toes from the very first ball, that is very important. There are two changes in my team – Mukesh Kumar is in place of Natarajan, and Vipraj Nigam is in. As much as I have played on Delhi wickets, I feel there isn’t too much spin, but because of a little slowness, you know, the ball comes a bit slower after pitching. So I think spinners get a little help. And as far as seamers are concerned, mostly they use slower bouncers and slower balls more on these wickets. So I thought of using a combination of three spinners and three fast bowlers. Whoever plays here are professional cricketers, and you know, everyone has played international cricket too. So there aren’t that many tactical changes. If you bowl a good ball in the right area, then that ball remains a good ball. And if you bowl a bad ball, then obviously… even if you see long boundaries, batsmen still hit sixes there too, you know, even 90 meters. So I feel instead of focusing on the boundary size, you should focus on your own good bowling. Winning with good balls is very important.”

DC vs KKR: Playing XIs

Delhi Capitals

Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar

Kolkata Knight Riders

Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy