Kolkata Knight Riders endured another early setback as their IPL 2026 campaign began with a difficult run of form, suffering defeats in their opening two matches. Their latest contest at Eden Gardens against Punjab Kings on Monday started no better, with the top order under pressure and play disrupted before the situation could settle.
Early blows and rain interruption
- KKR opted to bat first, but lost Finn Allen and Cameron Green in the opening phase, sliding to 25 for 2 after just 3.4 overs.
- Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi took over at the crease as rain brought an early stop to proceedings.
- Before the interruption, Xavier Bartlett struck twice in quick succession, unsettling KKR as they chased a first win of the season.
- Bartlett’s spell showcased control through both swing and seam, dismissing Allen for 6 and Green for 4.
With the match halted, there was renewed debate around KKR’s decision to bat first in cloudy conditions, with former cricketers including Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Saba Karim and Ravichandran Ashwin questioning the call.
Off-field moment during the rain break
During the delay, broadcast footage captured KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan speaking with team CEO Venky Mysore. The exchange looked tense, with Mysore listening while Shah Rukh Khan gestured with his hands. What exactly prompted the conversation was not clarified.
It was also noted that the appearance was Shah Rukh Khan’s first IPL match for KKR in the 2026 season. He attended the ground with his manager, Pooja Dadlani, and daughter Suhana Khan, who was seen watching from nearby.
Reflecting on the scene, the host during the rain-break segment described it as a serious talk between the KKR leadership and Shah Rukh Khan, calling it “an intense chat” with CEO Venky Mysore.
Team changes and XI decisions
For this fixture, KKR shuffled their playing XI. Rovman Powell and Navdeep Saini were included, with Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy unavailable for selection.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, retained the same squad that had featured in their previous match.
