Winless KKR face red-hot Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens with early pressure mounting
Two matches, two defeats and a growing set of problems. That is where Kolkata Knight Riders find themselves heading into Match 12 of IPL 2026 against Punjab Kings. Ajinkya Rahane's side lost their opener against Mumbai Indians and then went down to Sunrisers Hyderabad at home, leaving them ninth in the table with questions over their batting order and bowling balance.
KKR's expensive puzzle
Cameron Green, bought for 25.2 crore as KKR's marquee signing and the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history, has managed just 20 runs across two innings and still has not been asked to bowl. The all-rounder's availability with the ball was always a concern given Cricket Australia's workload restrictions, but his batting has not compensated. Finn Allen smashed 65 runs off 24 balls across the first two games but the middle order has been fragile, and the bowling attack has leaked runs without consistent pace support.
Punjab's contrasting start
Punjab Kings arrive at Eden Gardens having won both their matches. Cooper Connolly hit an unbeaten 72 on debut to steer them past Gujarat Titans in the opener, and then Priyansh Arya's savage 11-ball blitz set up a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. Captain Shreyas Iyer, who scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 in last season's IPL, chipped in with a half-century against CSK and looks settled in the middle order.
Iyer knows Eden Gardens better than most. He captained KKR for two seasons before the 2025 auction reshuffle sent him to Punjab. A win tonight against his old side would sting KKR more than any other defeat this early in the season.
Weather a concern
Thunderstorms have been forecast over Kolkata for Monday evening, which could disrupt proceedings. If rain forces a curtailed game, KKR's fragile confidence may take another hit in a Duckworth-Lewis chase. A washout would leave Rahane's side still searching for their first points after the opening fortnight.
First ball is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST at Eden Gardens.
Related Tags:
Cricket Updates
