KKR, DC hope for stars to align for a late playoffs push
By the time Ajinkya Rahane walks out for the toss in IPL 2026's final league match, much of the story may already have been written.
Before KKR take on DC in that evening fixture, RR face MI knowing a win would take them into the playoffs and shut the door on everyone else. But if RR lose, the evening in Kolkata becomes something else, with KKR still alive and fighting in front of their home crowd for a spot in the Eliminator. Whether that means a straightforward win or a push on NRR will depend on whether PBKS win or lose the night before, but either way, KKR will know exactly what is required. Or not.
Head coach Abhishek Nayar ruled out any "nervousness" ahead of the fixture and spoke about "controlling" what's in control, which is to play "best cricket that we can". But even if qualification isn't at stake, he pointed to plenty of things that will be at stake. "Imagine a player, someone getting a 100 tomorrow! When you play a game of cricket, everything is valuable, everything is a number, everything is a victory."
DC remain mathematically alive for now but the path ahead for them is a little more steep. If PBKS beat LSG the night before, DC are out. But even if things align and they are tied on 14 points with RR, they don't quite have the NRR to make a case. Still, like Nayar said, there remains plenty to play for even if there's no playoff berth at stake, and finishing the season with three wins on the bounce might not be the worst thing ever.
When: KKR vs DC, Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 7:30 PM local
Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
What to expect: It's likely to be the same strip that hosted the first match against SRH this season. Located at the centre of the square, it was a grassy track that slowed significantly during the course of the match, giving SRH a massive 65-run win after they posted 226 on the board. It remains the only match that's been played on this pitch in IPL 2026.
There haven't been showers in the city leading upto this match and no rain is expected during the match. Dew is unlikely to be a factor again, with evening temperatures not expected to drop sufficiently to reach the dew point. Which means both sides might consider batting first and it could be another skyexchange vip shoot-out on a slow deck.
Injuries/unavailability:Head coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Varun Chakaravarthy has been playing with a fractured toe. Angkrish Raghuvanshi is ruled out of the season with concussion and a left finger fracture. Matheesha Pathirana, dealing with a hamstring issue, had a few light jogs during the practice session and is expected to sit out once again.
Tactics & matchups: With a slow pitch potentially on offer, KKR might want to keep a few of Varun's overs for the death. The legspinner has gotten David Miller out four times even though the batter has scored his runs at a SR of 168. Axar Patel struggles against both Narine and Varun, and the spin twins might be on as soon as the DC captain walks to the crease.
Tejasvi Dahiya, who was the concussion substitute in the last match, is all set to take the gloves again. He had a long keeping and batting drill on match eve.
Probable XII: Ajinkya Rahane(c), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Saurabh Dubey
Injuries/unavailability: No reported injuries in the camp.
Tactics & matchups:Axar Patel, who has a good record against both KKR openers, might take the new ball. He will also be crucial against Manish Pandey, who was the PoTM in the last match but scores his runs at a SR of 65 against the left-arm spinner.
Probable XII: KL Rahul(w), Abishek Porel, Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel(c), Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar
- Sunil Narine has the best economy rate (6.4) by any bowler who has bowled a minimum of 20 overs this season
- DC have dropped 22 catches in the season so far, and their catching efficiency of 65.6 % is the worst by any side.
- Ajinkya Rahane has the lowest Powerplay strike-rate (127.1) among all batters in IPL 2026. Ruturaj Gaikwad (129.4) is a close second.
"He's broken quite a few limbs in this tournament already. Before that, two fingers and now his toe. But I always say the toughest characters learn to go past pain and adversity and that's what Varun Chakaravarthy is... He's been a franchise player for us, he's been an integral part and I think he understands it. So he's very emotional when it comes to this team, very emotional when it comes to everyone associated with this team and I feel that's the thought for himself behind him actually wanting to do it and not having to force him to do it" - Abhishek Nayar, KKR head coach, on Varun Chakaravarthy
"We lost to Gujarat Titans off the last ball. Against Punjab, we made 265 and still lost. Turn those results around and, if we win tomorrow, suddenly we are on 18 points and talking about a top-two finish... That's why players and coaches want to be here. Highest pressure, best players in the world, biggest fan base, best stadiums. But the margins are so small that you cannot afford to let moments slip. At times we were guilty of not seeing games through. Two different results and we are comfortably in the top four. You have to be ruthless in these opportunities" - Ian Bell, DC assistant coach, on the season that was