KKR 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, RR face MI knowing a win would take them into the playoffs. But if RR lose, the evening in Kolkata becomes something else, with KKR still alive. Whether that means a straightforward win or a push on NRR will depend on PBKS, but KKR will know exactly what is required.

Head coach Abhishek Nayar ruled out any "nervousness" and spoke about "controlling" what's in control. "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 but the path is steeper. If PBKS beat LSG, DC are out. Even if they tie on 14 points with RR, their NRR lets them down.

When: KKR vs DC, Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 7:30 PM local

Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

What to expect: Likely the same strip from the first match against SRH this season. A grassy track that slowed significantly during the match, giving SRH a 65-run win after they posted 226. No rain expected. Dew unlikely. Both sides might consider batting first.

Injuries/unavailability: Varun Chakaravarthy has been playing with a fractured toe. Angkrish Raghuvanshi is ruled out with concussion and a left finger fracture. Matheesha Pathirana, dealing with a hamstring issue, is expected to sit out again.

Tactics & matchups: KKR might keep Varun's overs for the death. He has dismissed David Miller four times. Axar Patel struggles against both Narine and Varun.

Tejasvi Dahiya, concussion substitute in the last match, will keep again.

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

DC Injuries/unavailability: No reported injuries.

Tactics & matchups: Axar Patel might take the new ball. He has a good record against both KKR openers and against Manish Pandey, who scores at SR 65 against left-arm spin.

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) among bowlers with minimum 20 overs this season
• DC have dropped 22 catches, with 65.6% catching efficiency – worst in the tournament
• Ajinkya Rahane has the lowest Powerplay strike-rate (127.1) among all batters in IPL 2026

"He's broken quite a few limbs in this tournament already. Before that, two fingers and now his toe. But the toughest characters learn to go past pain and adversity and that's what Varun Chakaravarthy is" – Abhishek Nayar, KKR head coach

"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… The margins are so small that you cannot afford to let moments slip" – Ian Bell, DC assistant coach