IPL 2026: Crisis-hit Kolkata Knight Riders brace for tough Rajasthan Royals test

KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders’ season is going from bad to worse and knives will surely be out. As they reach the halfway stage of the IPL without a win, Sunday’s match against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden here might provide them with an opportunity to embark on a road to redemption.

Might be asking for too much, though, as with just one point in their bag, they have a Herculean task ahead. Winning all their remaining eight games, particularly with their morale low and their campaign directionless, is not something that punters will bet on. There appears to be many wrongs in the way KKR have been going about their task and buck stops at skipper Ajinkya Rahane.




The veteran hasn’t been very inspiring as a leader and some on-field decisions have also come under scrutiny. Jug-gling Cameron Green’s batting position is quite confusing.

The Australian has come at No. 3 and 6, before firing at number 4. With his brilliant 79 against Gujarat Titans, Green has the monkey of an enormous price-tag off his back.

However, the all-rounder did not bowl against the Titans, despite sending down two overs each against LSG and CSK.

Sunday’s match is about teams at two ends of the spectrum. Even as KKR languish at the bottom, the Royals were running away with all the glory till they hit a roadblock against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match.

Incidentally, while KKR have been on the road for a week, RR have had three good days of practice here.
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