Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
Coach: Chandrakant Pandit
Home Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Best Finishes: Champions (2012, 2014, 2024)
Last Season: Winner
Key Stats
PowerPlay Boundary Percentage
26.16 – In the last two IPL seasons, KKR’s PowerPlay boundary percentage has been a key factor. Its title-winning campaign was fuelled by explosive starts from Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. This season, Quinton de Kock replaces Salt, aiming to deliver the same attacking intent. Both de Kock and Narine have a habit of finding the boundary every four balls in the PowerPlay, boasting a strike rate of 152.64.
Middle-Over Spin Choke
7.36 – KKR has retained two match-winning spinners in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, further strengthening the department by adding Moeen Ali. The trio aims to apply a spin choke in the middle overs on conducive surfaces. Collectively, they have picked up 55 wickets in 43 innings during this phase.
Death-Over Concerns
11.18 – KKR has struggled in the last four overs over the past two seasons, lacking a reliable death bowler. Harshit Rana, Andre Russell, and Anrich Nortje have been expensive, conceding 88 boundaries in 34 matches. However, they have also been regular wicket-takers, striking every 14 balls at an average of 25.80 at the death.
Predicted Playing XI
Top Order
1. Quinton de Kock
2. Sunil Narine
3. Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Middle Order & All-Rounders
4. Ajinkya Rahane
5. Venkatesh Iyer
6. Rinku Singh
7. Andre Russell
8. Ramandeep Singh
Bowlers
9. Harshit Rana
10. Varun Chakravarthy
11. Anrich Nortje
Impact Player: Mayank Markande / Vaibhav Arora
Final Thoughts
KKR will rely on its PowerPlay aggression, spin control in the middle overs, and experienced finishers to defend its title. Can it go back-to-back and add a fourth IPL trophy to its cabinet?
