Searching for first win, KKR go without Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy vs PBKS - check full playing XI
NEW DELHI: Searching for their first win of the IPL 2026 season, Kolkata Knight Riders opted to bat first against Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Monday. KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and decided to bat first at Eden Gardens. KKR made two changes in their playing XI, and neither of their two mystery spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, made it to the team.
"We are going to bat first. Looks like a good wicket, a little bit of the drier side, but it's a very good wicket and slightly less covering of grass as well. It's all about having that belief and confidence.
It's about winning those small moments. We are confident. Two changes, forced.
Varun Chakaravarthy got injured taking the catch in the last game and Narine isn't playing. Powell and Saini are in," Rahane said at the toss. Meanwhile, PBKS went with the same team.
"I was supposed to bowl as well. So kind of happy with the decision he took. Our (Shreyas and Ponting) chemistry blossomed from our Delhi Capitals days.