It is the last day of the league matches, which will decide the last playoff spot for the playoffs. The Mumbai Indians are facing the Rajasthan Royals in the first match of the day, and they have posted a good 205 runs total. This match is important for Kolkata Knight Riders; the purple and gold armour of the knights has shone bright in the last seven matches. If the Rajasthan Royals win today, KKR’s hope for the playoffs will be destroyed. The Rajasthan Royals' win will decide the fate of the Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Who will keep for KKR?
KKR face a major selection question ahead of their final league match: who will take over wicketkeeping duties? Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Kolkata’s top performer this season with 422 runs and five half-centuries in 12 innings, has been ruled out of the IPL after suffering a concussion and a fractured finger on his left hand.
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His concussion substitute, Tejasvi Dahiya, is expected to continue in the playing XI as the team’s primary wicketkeeper. However, KKR also have the option of using New Zealand opener Finn Allen behind the stumps, which could allow them to include an additional specialist batter in the lineup.
What to expect?
The IPL 2026 clash at Eden Gardens is expected to be a high-scoring contest as the match will be played on pitch No. 5 under lights. The only game held on this surface earlier this season saw KKR pile up 226 for 8 before bowling out Sunrisers Hyderabad for 161.
🚨 HOW KKR CAN QUALIFY 🚨
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 23, 2026
- MI beat RR.
- KKR beat DC by 77 runs if they score 200 or in 12 to 12.4 overs if they are chasing 180 runs. [Espn Cricinfo] pic.twitter.com/rqaeLmOmI4
While batters are likely to enjoy the conditions, spin bowlers could still play a decisive role. Over the last two IPL seasons at Eden Gardens, spinners have maintained a better economy rate of 9.16 compared to pacers, who have gone at 10.78 runs per over.
Probable XIIs
KKR - 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- KL Rahul(WK), Abishek Porel, Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel(c), Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar
