Ajinkya Rahane-led KKR have shown great promise so far this IPL 2026 season, and they hope to build upon that by playing at home against Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS on Tuesday night. Fans can check the Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Punjab Kings Match Scorecard to stay updated on scores, key performances, and match progress.
KKR have awarded captaincy to Navdeep Saini and may drop one or both of Vaibhav Arora or Kartik Tyagi from their lineup, Blessing Muzarabani may make way for Rovman Powell as well.
| Season | Date | Result | Margin / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 Apr 2026 | No Result (Match abandoned due to rain) | KKR 25/2 (3.4 ov) – Rain stopped play; 1 point each |
| 2025 | 15 Apr 2025 | PBKS won | Won by 16 runs (111/10 vs 95/10) |
| 2025 | 15 Apr 2025 | Match†No Result | Listed as no result in head‑to‑head aggregate |
| 2024 | 26 Apr 2024 | PBKS won | Won by 8 wickets |
| 2023 (latest) | 08 May 2023 | KKR won | Won by 5 wickets |
KKR vs PBKS
Eden Gardens will host an intense clash between two of the top teams in the Indian Premier League on Monday. While home side Kolkata are looking for their first victory after losing both opening fixtures of 2026, visitors Rajasthan Royals are flying high having won both.
The toss will be crucial in this game; both captains will likely hesitate to bowl first due to heavy dew which makes defending totals more challenging, yet both teams possess world-class batsmen who can take full advantage of a favorable surface for batting.
KKR have suffered two crushing defeats to start off this season while Punjab Kings remain undefeated. Ajinkya Rahane’s men face several issues in their pace attack without Harshit Rana or Akash Deep available;
flashes of promise from players like Kartik Tyagi and Angkrish Raghuvanshi exist, however for them to compete with an already established Punjab side significant improvements will need to be made for them to compete effectively.
Punjab are clear favourites to win this matchup with an array of talented players in their ranks such as Cooper Connolly, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh all having been standout performers in their opening two games;
Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh provide solid balance while Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy will play pivotal roles for KKR while Shreyas Iyer could cause problems for Punjab’s backline.
Weather in Kolkata has not been ideal for cricket, with a rainout denying both Kolkata Knight Riders and Bengal Cricket Board Kendra Sagar Khel (PBKS) access to train at their respective home grounds this week – leading both sides likely not to field full strength squads on Monday evening.
KKR have won only one of their six matches against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens since September 2016, while their opponents have taken three wins out of a possible four to take home three victories – meaning a draw seems most likely. Both teams should likely come away satisfied from this match-up.
Toss
Ajinkya Rahane decided to bat first in this rain-affected match for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), only to be immediately met by an impressive Punjab attack.
Their seamers tore through their top order – with Xavier Bartlett picking off Finn Allen and Cameron Green early. By the time rain stopped play at 25 for 2, KKR were already struggling, although captain Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi remained unbeaten.
With two losses under their belts already, KKR will be looking to reverse their trend and gain some momentum against an in-form Punjab team in this matchup.
Their batting has been inconsistent, while key bowlers Sunil Narine and Akashdeep Singh have struggled with injuries this season and Cameron Green may also be available again after being sidelined for several matches due to suspension or injury concerns.
Eden Gardens’ pitch offers excellent batting conditions, with the ball coming onto the bat with some spin and landing softly onto it. As such, selecting top-order batsmen to win the toss and wicket-takers for death overs is especially crucial here – for instance Priyansh Arya’s 11-ball 39 against CSK was proof that this strategy can work well here.
Spotting top-order players from the Punjab Kings is essential if they hope to achieve victory. Shreyas Iyer has been an impressive performer and should be considered along with Priyansh Arya and Marco Jansen; Cooper Connolly also makes for an intriguing option; taking five wickets in two matches so far for them, while Yuzvendra Chahal should also be chosen from their ranks as a visitor option.
Match Predictions
KKR have struggled to start IPL 2026 on the right note, and victory against Punjab Kings would give them much-needed momentum.
Currently ranked second from bottom and having lost both their games so far, KKR are in need of a win against Shreyas Iyer’s side who have won both of theirs with Cooper Connolly, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh all contributing key batsman.
Eden Gardens should provide the ideal surface for high-scoring T20 games, with dew likely aiding second innings chases. With both Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine out injured, KKR’s bowling depth will be put through rigorous scrutiny.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cooper Connolly have been impressive performers for PBKS, while Ajinkya Rahane’s inconsistent showing with the bat has raised questions over his leadership.
Although KKR are yet to find their stride at home, their presence should make for a competitive matchup against them; but if visitors want to break into the top four they’ll need to quickly improve – perhaps through another amazing performance!
Live Streaming
On Monday, April 6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, both teams will attempt to record their inaugural victory of the season and secure Jio Hotstar coverage from 7:30 PM IST.
KKR suffered their second consecutive defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad and are now eighth in the table, sitting below three-time champions Mumbai Indians and currently 8th.
To maintain early momentum and stay out of danger of falling into the relegation zone, they need to improve both batting performance and bowling consistency, without primary strike bowlers Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine as strike bowlers being unavailable; can Anukul Roy, their sole spinner step up?
KKR suffered an embarrassing six wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians in their opener and now face increasing pressure to turn things around this season. Their next opponent will be an exciting Punjab Kings side which have won both games so far and sit fourth overall in the standings.
Chakravarthy and Narine will both be absent due to injuries. But KKR are hopeful their batting can shine in this pivotal encounter against PBKS led by former KKR captain Shreyas Iyer who are expected to bring plenty of momentum with them.
Weather forecast for today’s match appears promising with only light drizzle a threat around the field. Stands filled with Kolkata Knight Riders jerseys and flags can be seen, though some support has also trickled in from Punjab Kings supporters. Both teams have also been training close by which bodes well.
Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat. KKR opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi has had an excellent start to their campaign with two half-centuries already this season and should lead their line. Youngster Cooper Connolly has caught everyone’s eye so far and could provide Kolkata with some real challenges against weak bowling units.
