Ajinkya Rahane is set to walk out for the toss in the IPL 2026 final league match, with the wider qualification picture already swinging on what happens earlier in the night. In Kolkata, KKR<\/b> host DC<\/b> on Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 7:30 PM local time at Eden Gardens, while RR<\/b> will be playing MI<\/b> in the other key game running at the same time. For Rahane and his side, the contest could carry different meanings depending on results elsewhere.<\/p>\n
For RR<\/b>, the scenario is straightforward if they can beat MI<\/b>: a win would push them into the playoffs and effectively close the door on competing teams. If RR<\/b> fail, then the atmosphere in Kolkata shifts\u2014KKR<\/b> would still be in the hunt and would be battling, in front of their home crowd, for a place in the Eliminator. Exactly how KKR<\/b> approach the task\u2014whether it\u2019s simply about taking the points comfortably or pushing for a net run-rate swing\u2014will hinge on whether PBKS<\/b> win their match against LSG<\/b> the night before.<\/p>\n
Head coach Abhishek Nayar<\/b> played down the idea of nerves ahead of the fixture, insisting the focus should remain on what the team can control. His line was clear: the priority is to produce \u201cthe best cricket that we can.\u201d Even so, he stressed that, regardless of whether a playoff berth is directly on the line, there are still plenty of things at stake\u2014especially the way momentum and individual performances can change the tone of a season.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine a player, someone getting a 100 tomorrow!\u201d Nayar said. \u201cWhen you play a game of cricket, everything is valuable, everything is a number, everything is a victory.\u201d<\/p>\n
What happens for DC<\/b> is different. The Delhi Capitals<\/b> remain mathematically in contention for now, but their route is steeper. If PBKS<\/b> beat LSG<\/b> earlier in the cycle, DC<\/b> will be eliminated. Even if results line up and the sides were to finish level on 14 points with RR<\/b>, DC<\/b> would still not quite hold the net run-rate advantage required to make their case.<\/p>\n
Still, Nayar\u2019s message was that there is value in treating every match as consequential. Finishing the campaign with three successive wins, he suggested, would not be a bad outcome even if the postseason picture ends up already decided.<\/p>\n
When:<\/b> KKR vs DC, Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 7:30 PM local
Where:<\/b> Eden Gardens, Kolkata
What to expect:<\/b> The pitch is expected to resemble the square used for the opening game of the season against SRH<\/b>. That surface began as a grassy wicket in the middle, but slowed as the match moved forward, with SRH<\/b> eventually securing a 65-run win after posting 226<\/b>.<\/p>\n
In IPL 2026, this Eden Gardens strip would be the only one used for a match on that specific pitch surface so far. With no rain reported in the city leading into the game, and no weather threat expected during play, the match is unlikely to be affected by showers. Dew also does not look like a major factor again, as evening temperatures are not expected to fall far enough to reach the dew point. In practical terms, both teams may prefer to bat first, and it could turn into another Powerplay-focused contest on a deck that offers slower conditions.<\/p>\n
Injuries\/unavailability:<\/b> Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Varun Chakaravarthy<\/b> is carrying a fractured toe and has been managing it. Angkrish Raghuvanshi<\/b> will miss the remainder of the season after suffering concussion along with a left-hand finger fracture. Matheesha Pathirana<\/b>, who has been dealing with a hamstring problem, did some light jogging during practice and is expected to sit out again.<\/p>\n
Tactics & matchups:<\/b> With the pitch expected to play slowly, KKR may want to preserve some of Varun\u2019s overs for the later phase of the innings. The legspinner has dismissed David Miller<\/b> four times, despite Miller\u2019s ability to score at a strike rate of 168<\/b> against spin. Axar Patel<\/b> has struggled versus both Narine<\/b> and Varun<\/b>, which makes it likely that KKR\u2019s spin-heavy approach could start early once DC\u2019s captain walks to the crease.<\/p>\n
Tejasvi Dahiya<\/b>, who came in as the concussion substitute in the last match, is expected to take the gloves again. On match eve, he worked through a long session involving both keeping duties and batting drills.<\/p>\n
Probable XII:<\/b> 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<\/p>\nDelhi Capitals<\/h3>\n
Injuries\/unavailability:<\/b> No injuries have been reported from the Capitals camp.<\/p>\n
Tactics & matchups:<\/b> Axar Patel<\/b> is a key matchup point, with a strong record against both KKR openers. He may be used to handle the new ball. Axar\u2019s role is also expected to matter against Manish Pandey<\/b>, the PoTM from the previous game, even though Pandey\u2019s strike rate against left-arm spin is listed at just 65<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Probable XII:<\/b> 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<\/p>\n On Varun Chakaravarthy<\/b> and his return through injury, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar<\/b> said: \u201cHe\u2019s broken quite a few limbs in this tournament already. Before that, two fingers and now his toe. But I always say the toughest characters learn to go past pain and adversity and that\u2019s what Varun Chakaravarthy is. He\u2019s been a franchise player for us, he\u2019s been an integral part and he understands it. So he\u2019s very emotional when it comes to this team, very emotional when it comes to everyone associated with this team, and I feel that\u2019s the thought for himself behind him actually wanting to do it and not having to force him to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, DC assistant coach Ian Bell<\/b> looked at how fine margins have shaped the Capitals\u2019 season. \u201cWe lost to Gujarat Titans off the last ball,\u201d he said. \u201cAgainst Punjab, we made 265 and still lost. Turn those results around and, if we win tomorrow, suddenly we are on 18 points and talking about a top-two finish. That\u2019s why players and coaches want to be here\u2014highest pressure, best players in the world, biggest fan base, best stadiums. But the margins are so small that you cannot afford to let moments slip. At times we were guilty of not seeing games through. Two different results and we are comfortably in the top four. You have to be ruthless in these opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ajinkya Rahane is set to walk out for the toss in the IPL 2026 final league match, with the wider qualification picture already swinging on…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"KKR vs DC IPL 2026: Rahane Eyes Playoffs at Eden Gardens","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"KKR vs DC IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens: Ajinkya Rahane targets playoffs as RR vs MI results shape the race\u2014here\u2019s what to watch tonight.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\nDid you know?<\/h3>\n
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Quotes from the camps<\/h2>\n