IPL 2026: KKR hope to stay alive, Gujarat Titans eye playoff

KOLKATA: Change is the buzz word in Bengal now. And Kolkata Knight Riders will look for the same in their home match winning record this season as they return to the Eden Gardens after almost a month. The three-time IPL champions got off to a poor start managing just one home win in four matches to kickstart this year’s campaign.

They made a remarkable turnaround winning four games in a row but a defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last match once again put them on the brink of elimination. As a matter of fact, their chances of making the playoffs remain more of a mathematical possibility than a practical one.

Even winning their last three matches, which will take them to a maximum of 15 points, might not be enough as they will have to hope for a number of other results to go their way. Winning three-in-arow will also not be an easy task for KKR as they run into Gujarat Titans on Saturday.

The result of the match is likely to affect GT more than KKR as a win will not only confirm the former’s spot in the playoffs, but will also strengthen their chances to finish in the top-two.

The Titans are playing as a well-oiled unit having all their bases covered. Even if you manage to restrict their batters, the bowlers will come hard at you. Remember how they bowled out a batting powerhouse like Sunrisers Hyderabad for 86 only in the last game.

They will start as favourites coming on the back of a five-match winning streak. Former Knight Shubman Gillled side would like to do a ‘double’ on KKR after beating them by five wickets in the first leg almost a month ago.

It would be a challenge for KKR’s bowling unit to stop Gujarat’s in-form opening pair of Gill and Sai Sudharsan. The two are among the top-10 run-getters this season and are giving the side a flying start in almost all games. Although not in his best form, Jos Buttler has also contributed handsomely coming one down and will love to return to a venue where he got unbeaten 107 off 60 for Rajasthan Royals in 2024.

Washington Sundar scoring 50 coming down the order in the last game should inspire the top three to play more freely. And there’s no soft pick in a bowling unit of Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Jason Holder and Rashid Khan.

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