Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) host Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 12 of IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Monday, April 6, 2026. Match starts at 7:30 PM IST (toss at 7:00 PM IST).
Watch the live telecast on Star Sports Network and live stream on JioHotstar (app and website).
KKR are in trouble. Two matches, two losses. They fell to MI by 6 wickets in the opener and then got hammered by SRH by 65 runs at home. PBKS, meanwhile, are 2-0 after beating GT and CSK. This is a clash of contrasting fortunes, and KKR desperately need a win at their fortress.
There is also the Shreyas Iyer subplot. He captained KKR to the IPL 2024 title, then moved to lead PBKS. Tonight, he returns to Eden Gardens as the opposition captain. The KKR crowd will have mixed feelings about that one.
KKR vs PBKS IPL 2026 Match 12: Quick Details
| Aspect | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2026 Match 12 |
| Date | Monday, April 6, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM IST) |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| TV Telecast (India) | Star Sports Network (Star Sports 2 HD/SD English + Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada channels) |
| Live Streaming (India) | JioHotstar (App and Website) |
| Live Streaming (UK) | Sky Sports Cricket / Sky Go / NOW TV |
| Live Streaming (USA) | Willow TV |
| Live Streaming (Australia) | Kayo Sports / Fox Cricket |
| Live Streaming (South Africa) | SuperSport / DStv App |
How to Watch KKR vs PBKS Live in India
On TV: Star Sports Network broadcasts all IPL 2026 matches live in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Available on Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, and D2H.
Online Streaming: JioHotstar is the exclusive platform. Plans start at ₹79/month (Mobile), ₹149/month (Super), and ₹299/month (Premium with 4K). Bundled access available through Jio, Airtel, and Vi recharge plans.
JioHotstar offers 12 language commentary, multi-cam angles, MaxView, and a vertical live feed for mobile viewers.
KKR vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record in IPL
KKR have historically dominated this rivalry, but PBKS have produced two of the most extraordinary results in IPL history against this very opponent.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 35 |
| KKR Wins | 21 |
| PBKS Wins | 13 |
| No Result | 1 |
| KKR at Eden Gardens vs PBKS | 10 wins in 13 matches |
| PBKS Wins in Last 5 Completed | 3 out of 5 |
The overall numbers favour KKR, but PBKS hold two astonishing IPL records against this opponent:
Highest successful chase in IPL history: PBKS (262/2) chased down KKR’s 261/6 at Eden Gardens in IPL 2024. That remains the most dominant batting display in a chase across 18 IPL seasons.
Lowest total successfully defended in IPL history: PBKS defended just 111 against KKR in IPL 2025 at Mullanpur. KKR collapsed to 95 all out, with Yuzvendra Chahal taking 4 wickets in a devastating middle-overs spell.
Both records came against KKR. That is a stat PBKS will carry as a psychological edge into this match.
Sunil Narine holds the all-time record for most wickets by any bowler against a single opponent in IPL history: 36 wickets in 35 matches against PBKS. He will be KKR’s key threat tonight.
Current Form: How Both Teams Enter This Match
Here is the Info Regarding Current Form of Both Teams:
KKR (Lost 2, Won 0)
It has been a rough start. KKR lost to MI by 6 wickets in Match 2, then suffered a 65-run thrashing from SRH at Eden Gardens. SRH posted 226/8 and KKR were bowled out for 161 in 16 overs.
The bowling has been the biggest concern. With Harshit Rana injured and Matheesha Pathirana still unavailable, the pace attack looks thin. Cameron Green has not bowled yet, raising questions about his fitness. The team is leaning heavily on Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine in the spin department.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane has been decent with the bat, but the middle order needs to step up. Bench options like Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, and Rovman Powell could come into the conversation for changes.
PBKS (Won 2, Lost 0)
PBKS have started IPL 2026 exactly as they finished IPL 2025: winning. They beat GT by 3 wickets in Match 4, then chased down 210 against CSK at Chepauk in 18.4 overs in their second game.
The batting is firing on all cylinders. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have been explosive at the top. Shreyas Iyer anchors the middle overs, and Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh finish. The bowling, led by Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been clinical.
KKR vs PBKS: Probable Playing XIs
Here are Probable Playing XI of Both Teams:
Kolkata Knight Riders Probable XI
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Finn Allen (WK), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Kartik Tyagi, Blessing Muzarabani.
KKR may consider changes after two losses. Rachin Ravindra or Tim Seifert could replace an underperforming batter. Narine and Chakravarthy remain KKR’s biggest match-winners, and the Eden Gardens pitch traditionally assists spinners in the middle overs.
Punjab Kings Probable XI
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yuzvendra Chahal.
PBKS rely on their seam bowlers for wickets: Arshdeep, Jansen, Bartlett, and Vyshak form a four-pronged pace attack that has troubled every lineup so far. Chahal is the sole spinner, but given his 4-wicket burst against KKR last season, he could be the match-winner again.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Sunil Narine vs PBKS batting: 36 wickets in 35 matches against PBKS. That is the most by any bowler against a single team in IPL history. Narine in the powerplay and middle overs is KKR’s most potent weapon.
Shreyas Iyer vs Eden Gardens: Iyer returns to the ground where he won the IPL 2024 title as KKR captain. He knows this pitch, this crowd, and this bowling attack intimately. If he bats long, PBKS will post a big total.
Yuzvendra Chahal vs KKR’s middle order: Chahal’s spell last season collapsed KKR from a winning position (6 wickets for 17 runs in 31 balls). His leg-spin against Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh in the middle overs is the duel to watch.
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
The Eden Gardens is one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world and KKR’s home ground. It has a capacity of approximately 68,000 and the atmosphere on match nights is electric.
The pitch is batting-friendly with a fast outfield and short boundaries. The ball comes nicely onto the bat. Pacers can get swing with the new ball, while spinners become effective in the middle overs. In the last match here, SRH scored 226/8, so high totals are very much on the cards.
KKR’s record at Eden Gardens against PBKS is strong (10 wins in 13 matches), but that home advantage has not translated into wins so far in IPL 2026.
KKR vs PBKS Match 12 Prediction
On current form, PBKS are clear favourites. They are 2-0 and have chased 210+ in their last outing. KKR are 0-2 with a fragile bowling attack and a misfiring middle order.
However, Eden Gardens has been kind to KKR historically against PBKS (10/13 wins). Narine and Chakravarthy on a pitch that assists spin could turn the tide. And KKR’s pride will be at stake in front of their home fans after the SRH humiliation.
This rivalry has produced dramatic extremes: a 262-run chase and a 111-run defence. Expect the unexpected.
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Final Thoughts
KKR vs PBKS at Eden Gardens is a must-watch. Tune in at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, April 6 on Star Sports (TV) or JioHotstar (streaming).
Iyer’s return to Eden Gardens, Narine’s 36-wicket dominance over PBKS, Chahal’s history of collapsing KKR, and two teams on opposite ends of the table. This rivalry delivers drama every single time.
