KKR vs LSG, IPL 2026 match preview: Kolkata Knight Riders struggle to put their house in order

KOLKATA: Even winning the first point in this IPL could not bring smiles to those in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp.

Despite the lone point gained in the loss against Punjab Kings, the 3.4 overs of Monday’s game highlighted some additional concerns. Struggling to put their house in order, KKR opted to take some bold decisions and leave out Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. However, the outcome of that decision was inconclusive, although they are likely to return to action against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.

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However, another spell of rain is forecast on match day. A defeat is unlikely to help both sides, who are trying to get their campaign going.

After losing their first game, LSG managed a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match, but they had a pretty simple chase.

Despite having several power hitters in their lineup, the team hasn’t really hit the expected line. Even captain Rishabh Pant played an unusual innings, albeit in a winning cause.

However, both teams are sweating over the form of their foreign batsmen. Finn Allen and Cameron Green continued to struggle and were even sent off about 15 minutes into the game on Monday.

The team could play Rovman Powell, who didn’t get a chance to make his case in the game.

LSG’s top order has also failed to give the team proper momentum as Aiden Markram, Michell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran are yet to fire. On the bowling front, injury problems have hampered both sides ahead of the start of the tournament. While LSG awaits leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga as he recovers from his hamstring injury, KKR is hopeful of landing pacer Matheesha Pathirana soon.