IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to bat against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 28 of Indian Premier League 2026 at Eden Gardens on Sunday, the opening fixture of the day's double-header.
RR entered the contest as one of the most consistent sides this season, having secured four consecutive wins before a recent defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their steady performances have kept them near the top of the standings.
In contrast, KKR have struggled to find form, still searching for their first victory after six matches. The hosts have managed just one point so far, coming from a rain-affected game at home. Historically, KKR holds a slight edge in this rivalry, winning 16 of the 32 encounters between the two sides, while RR have won 14.
RR captain Riyan Parag opted to bat, citing a dry surface that could assist in turning early on. The Royals made two changes, bringing back Shimron Hetmyer and Brijesh Sharma in place of Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Tushar Deshpande.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane indicated his side would have preferred to bat but remained content with chasing, emphasising a focus on execution. Kolkata fielded an unchanged playing XI, banking on improved bowling performances in recent outings.
RR's lineup features Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja and Jofra Archer among others, while KKR rely on the likes of Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Cameron Green, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
With momentum on RR's side and urgency driving KKR, the contest presents a crucial test for both teams at this stage of the tournament.