🏏IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals, Match70, Kolkata�

🏏IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals, 70th Match, Kolkata🏏

Kolkata Knight Riders hold a clear edge over Delhi Capitals in Match 70 of IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today (7:30 PM IST). KKR sit sixth with 13 points and must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

KKR have historically dominated this rivalry and holds a comfortable lead in head-to-head meetings. The Knight Riders have won 20 of 36 IPL matches against Delhi Capitals, while DC have managed 15 victories. One match ended without a result.

KKR needs this win to stay alive. With 13 points, a victory takes them to 15 and keeps their slim playoff hopes intact, depending on other results. That desperation has fuelled their recent run of five wins in six matches, and they will leave nothing on the table in their final home game of the season.

Before KKR take on DC in that evening fixture, RR face MI knowing a win would take them into the playoffs and shut the door on everyone else. But if RR lose, the evening in Kolkata becomes something else, with KKR still alive and fighting in front of their home crowd for a spot in the Eliminator.

Whether that means a straightforward win or a push on NRR will depend on whether PBKS win or lose the night before, but either way, KKR will know exactly what is required. Or not.

Head coach Abhishek Nayar ruled out any "nervousness" ahead of the fixture and spoke about "controlling" what's in control, which is to play "best cricket that we can". But even if qualification isn't at stake, he pointed to plenty of things that will be at stake. "Imagine a player, someone getting a 100 tomorrow! When you play a game of cricket, everything is valuable, everything is a number, everything is a victory."

DC remain mathematically alive for now but the path ahead for them is a little more steep. If PBKS beat LSG the night before, DC are out. But even if things align and they are tied on 14 points with RR, they don't quite have the NRR to make a case. Still, like Nayar said, there remains plenty to play for even if there's no playoff berth at stake, and finishing the season with three wins on the bounce might not be the worst thing ever.

When: KKR vs DC, Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 7:30 PM local

Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

What to expect: It's likely to be the same strip that hosted the first match against SRH this season. Located at the centre of the square, it was a grassy track that slowed significantly during the course of the match, giving SRH a massive 65-run win after they posted 226 on the board. It remains the only match that's been played on this pitch in IPL 2026.

There haven't been showers in the city leading upto this match and no rain is expected during the match. Dew is unlikely to be a factor again, with evening temperatures not expected to drop sufficiently to reach the dew point. Which means both sides might consider batting first and it could be another Powerplay shoot-out on a slow deck.

Team watch:

Kolkata Knight Riders

Injuries/unavailability: Head coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Varun Chakaravarthy has been playing with a fractured toe. Angkrish Raghuvanshi is ruled out of the season with concussion and a left finger fracture. Matheesha Pathirana, dealing with a hamstring issue, had a few light jogs during the practice session and is expected to sit out once again.

Tactics & matchups: With a slow pitch potentially on offer, KKR might want to keep a few of Varun's overs for the death. The legspinner has gotten David Miller out four times even though the batter has scored his runs at a SR of 168. Axar Patel struggles against both Narine and Varun, and the spin twins might be on as soon as the DC captain walks to the crease.

Tejasvi Dahiya, who was the concussion substitute in the last match, is all set to take the gloves again. He had a long keeping and batting drill on match eve.

Probable XII: Ajinkya Rahane(c), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Saurabh Dubey

Delhi Capitals

Injuries/unavailability: No reported injuries in the camp.

Tactics & matchups: Axar Patel, who has a good record against both KKR openers, might take the new ball. He will also be crucial against Manish Pandey, who was the PoTM in the last match but scores his runs at a SR of 65 against the left-arm spinner.

Probable XII: KL Rahul(w), Abishek Porel, Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel(c), Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar

Did you know?

- Sunil Narine has the best economy rate (6.4) by any bowler who has bowled a minimum of 20 overs this season

- DC have dropped 22 catches in the season so far, and their catching efficiency of 65.6 % is the worst by any side.

- Ajinkya Rahane has the lowest Powerplay strike-rate (127.1) among all batters in IPL 2026. Ruturaj Gaikwad (129.4) is a close second.

What they said:

"He's broken quite a few limbs in this tournament already. Before that, two fingers and now his toe. But I always say the toughest characters learn to go past pain and adversity and that's what Varun Chakaravarthy is... He's been a franchise player for us, he's been an integral part and I think he understands it. So he's very emotional when it comes to this team, very emotional when it comes to everyone associated with this team and I feel that's the thought for himself behind him actually wanting to do it and not having to force him to do it" - Abhishek Nayar, KKR head coach, on Varun Chakaravarthy

"We lost to Gujarat Titans off the last ball. Against Punjab, we made 265 and still lost. Turn those results around and, if we win tomorrow, suddenly we are on 18 points and talking about a top-two finish... That's why players and coaches want to be here. Highest pressure, best players in the world, biggest fan base, best stadiums. But the margins are so small that you cannot afford to let moments slip. At times we were guilty of not seeing games through. Two different results and we are comfortably in the top four. You have to be ruthless in these opportunities" - Ian Bell, DC assistant coach, on the season that was.

Why KKR Will Win This Match

Eden Gardens is KKR’s Fortress

KKR have won 56 out of approximately 100 IPL matches at Eden Gardens. Their familiarity with the conditions, combined with the passionate Kolkata crowd of 66,000, gives them an edge that visiting teams have struggled to overcome year after year.

Spin Trio Dominance at Home

Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Anukul Roy form the most lethal spin combination in IPL 2026. In Match 51 against DC, KKR’s spinners conceded just 76 runs in 12 overs and took 3 wickets, while DC’s spinners leaked 102 in 9 overs. On the slow Eden Gardens surface, this spin advantage becomes KKR’s biggest weapon.

Finn Allen in Devastating Form

Allen scored 100* off 47 balls against DC in their last meeting. His ability to take the game away from opposition bowlers in the powerplay makes him the most dangerous batter in this fixture. Allen has been the driving force behind KKR’s five wins in six games during their late-season resurgence.

Playoff Desperation

KKR need this win to stay alive. With 13 points, a victory takes them to 15 and keeps their slim playoff hopes intact, depending on other results. That desperation has fuelled their recent run of five wins in six matches, and they will leave nothing on the table in their final home game of the season.

Why DC Could Still Pull Off a Win

Mitchell Starc’s Pace Threat

Starc remains one of the most dangerous new-ball bowlers in the world. His ability to swing the ball at pace and pick up early wickets could disrupt KKR’s top order. If he removes Allen cheaply, KKR’s chase or total-setting capability reduces significantly.

KL Rahul’s Big-Match Pedigree

Rahul scored 152 off 72 balls against PBKS earlier this season at Arun Jaitley Stadium. His record at Eden Gardens in IPL cricket shows he is capable of big performances on any surface. A big knock from Rahul could set up a competitive total for DC’s bowlers to defend.

Nothing-to-Lose Mentality

DC have already been eliminated. Historically, teams with no pressure often play their most fearless cricket. Without playoff anxiety, DC’s batters could play with freedom and target KKR’s bowling without consequence.

Axar Patel’s Spin vs Right-handers

Axar’s left-arm spin could trouble KKR’s right-hand-heavy middle order on a surface that assists spin. His economy in the middle overs has been a rare positive for DC’s otherwise inconsistent bowling attack throughout IPL 2026.

KKR vs DC Toss Prediction

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane has preferred to field first at Eden Gardens this season, and that approach aligns with the venue’s stats. Teams chasing have won 58% of matches at this ground across IPL history.

Toss Prediction: Bowl first. Rahane is expected to chase if he wins the toss, backing his batting lineup and spin attack to defend or chase on a surface that becomes increasingly helpful for his spinners.