Sunil Narine’s form with the ball has been crucial to Kolkata Knight Riders' turnaround in the second half of the season. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will look to continue its late-season resurgence when it hosts Delhi Capitals (DC) at Eden Gardens in the final league fixture of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season on Sunday.

Although both sides remain mathematically alive in the race for the final playoff berth, qualification is no longer entirely in their control. KKR, currently sixth on the table with 13 points from 13 matches, and DC, eighth with 12 points, must not only secure big victories but also rely on favorable outcomes elsewhere.

The play-off equation remains complicated. A victory for Punjab Kings in its corresponding fixture would place it ahead of KKR on net run rate and simultaneously end Delhi’s hopes. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals can seal the final available playoff berth outright if it defeats Mumbai Indians, which has already bowed out of contention.

Despite the uncertainty, KKR enters the contest with renewed confidence following a remarkable turnaround in form. The three-time champion has won six of its last seven matches after struggling through an inconsistent first half of the campaign. The revival has reignited hopes of an unlikely playoff push and restored momentum at a crucial stage of the tournament.

However, injuries have continued to test the squad’s depth, particularly in the bowling department. Even so, the side has managed to weather the setbacks commendably, thanks largely to the strong performances of Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Saurabh Dubey, who have stepped up impressively with the ball in the latter stages of the season.

Adding to KKR’s concerns is the absence of leading run-scorer Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who has been ruled out due to injury. His unavailability leaves a significant gap in the batting order ahead of a must-win encounter.

With so much hinging on the results at other venues, both KKR and DC will be eager to sign off with a statement performance in front of a passionate Eden Gardens crowd.

Published on May 23, 2026