The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) each earned a point in the 12th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which was called off due to rain at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match had just entered the fourth over when rain started pouring down, leading the umpires to halt play and cover the field swiftly. Despite efforts by the ground staff to protect the pitch, square, and run-ups, the rain persisted, resulting in the match being abandoned.
The covers remained in place, and a revised inspection time was scheduled for 8:45 PM IST, but the game was eventually called off due to the continuous rain. As a result, both teams shared the point, with PBKS maintaining their lead at the top of the table while KKR slipped to the eighth position.
Kolkata Knight Riders faced early setbacks, losing two key overseas batters quickly and finding themselves in a challenging position at 25/2. On the other hand, Punjab Kings had a strong start, with Xavier Bartlett making significant breakthroughs within the powerplay. Bartlett’s precise bowling led to quick dismissals, putting KKR under immense pressure early in the game.
KKR’s struggles continued as Bartlett maintained his accuracy, claiming crucial wickets and further denting KKR’s batting lineup. The team had to make strategic changes due to injuries and illnesses, with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine being unavailable for selection. Rovman Powell made his season debut, while Navdeep Saini returned to IPL action, leaving KKR with limited spin options for the match.
