IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders Choose to Bat First Against Punjab Kings

Original: IPL 2026: KKR win toss; opts to bat against PBKS

News 18•Apr 6, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

In the 12th match of IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the toss and opted to bat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane announced two forced changes due to injuries, while PBKS retained their previous lineup.

Key Points

01Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bat first.
02KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed Varun Chakaravarthy's injury as a reason for team changes.
03Punjab Kings retained their previous playing XI for this match.
04The match is taking place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
05Rahane expressed confidence in his team's performance despite the changes.

In-Article Ad

Full Summary

In a thrilling match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the toss and opted to bat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 12th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane announced that Varun Chakaravarthy would miss the game due to an injury sustained while taking a catch in the previous match. As a result, KKR made two changes, bringing in Rovman Powell and Navdeep Saini to replace Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine. Rahane expressed optimism about the match, noting the good condition of the pitch, which appeared slightly dry with less grass coverage. On the other hand, Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, decided to field the same XI that played in their last match, emphasizing their team's consistency. The match promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams aim for victory.

In-Article Ad

FAQ

Ajinkya Rahane is the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), while Shreyas Iyer leads Punjab Kings (PBKS).

KKR made changes due to Varun Chakaravarthy's injury and Sunil Narine's absence.

✦