IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders win toss, elect to bat first against PBKS

Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane (Pic: BCCI)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The two teams are facing off at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

PBKS started the season well with two wins in the first two matches. Meanwhile, KKR have lost both of their opening fixtures so far.

After winning the toss, Ajinkya Rahane elected to bat first. The KKR skipper made two changes to the team, with both Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine injured for this game.

"We are going to bat first. Looks like a good wicket, a little bit on the drier side, but it's a very good wicket and with slightly less covering of grass as well. It's all about having that belief and confidence. It's about winning those small moments. We are confident. Two changes, forced. Varun Chakaravarthy got injured taking the catch in the last game, and Narine isn't playing. Powell and Saini are in," Ajinkya Rahane said.

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer was happy to bowl first with cloudy skies around. The Indian star batter was pleased with his team's unbeaten start to the season so far and hoped that it would continue.

"I was supposed to bowl as well. So, kind of happy with the decision he took. Our (Shreyas and Ponting) chemistry blossomed from our Delhi Capitals days. He gives freedom to all the youngsters, and he is an inspiration himself. Same team for us," Iyer said.

KKR are still looking for their first win of the season after two defeats in a row. PBKS will start as the favourites to make it three wins out of three after a brilliant start to the season. KKR's former skipper Shreyas Iyer, now in Punjab's red, will be keen to make an impact against his former team.

Confirmed Playing XI for both teams:

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi(w), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Navdeep Saini, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Cooper Connolly, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal