IPL 2026 | ‘We try to keep things simple and just control the controllables’ DC's Ian Bell

Abhishek Nayar. Pic/IPL

Having beaten Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping Mumbai Indians tame Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Only then can KKR, who take on Delhi Capitals here in the evening, keep alive their slender hopes of a Playoffs berth.

KKR had crushed them in Delhi a fortnight ago, but DC have since won both their matches. A point behind on the table, they have the team to test the resurgent KKR. KL Rahul, David Miller and skipper Axar Patel are among runs, as is Bengal boy Abishek Porel. In Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Axar and Kuldeep Yadav, they have some of the finest bowlers. KKR will be hoping DC don't rise as a unit for one last hurray.

"We try to keep things simple and just control the controllables; if things are meant to be, they will be. When we walk out tomorrow, we have to play the best cricket we can," KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar pointed out when asked how the team was keeping focus.

Finn Allen, a key architect of KKR's turnaround, will have to provide that punch in the Powerplay and beyond. But, it is, of course, the bowling unit that has often made the difference for KKR. Sunil Narine has been at his best, while Varun Chakravarthy, his partner in crime, is delivering despite a cracked toe. All-rounder Anukul Roy has added variety to the spin mix.

DC assistant coach Ian Bell blamed lack of consistency for their plight. "We've proven this season we can score 264 and then follow that up by being bowled out for 75," he reminded.