Published on: Apr 17, 2026 1:49 pm IST|Updated on: Apr 17, 2026 1:50 pm IST
Match 25 of Tata IPL 2026 is set to be a clash of the champions. Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions, will be playing host to the 3-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Titans have finally gained momentum after two wins on the bounce, whereas the Knight Riders are still eyeing their first win of the season after losing 4 out of 5 games so far this season.
KKR are currently languishing right at the bottom of the points table with a solitary point, which they luckily secured after their game against the Punjab Kings was washed out at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The 3-time champions are in desperate need to revive their campaign, and to do this, they need to take some tough calls as soon as possible. Here’s our take on what should be KKR’s best possible playing XI for the GT vs KKR game set for the evening.
Remember when Chris Lynn partnered Sunil Narine, and later Philip Salt joined Narine at the top order for KKR? Their opening combinations looked threatening. The same can be done this season as well by pairing Sunil Narine along with Finn Allen.
Yes, Allen’s form hasn’t been great so far, but he has managed to play some explosive cameos at the top. It’s just a matter of one or two innings when Allen gets going and with Sunil Narine at the other, you don’t have to workky about the run-rate. The Caribbean veteran always keeps the run-rate in check as he musters the ball at will batting at the top and maximizes the powerplay to his advantage. This should be the apt opening combination for KKR moving forward.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s best-suited batting position is batting at no. 3. If he isn’t opening, Ajinkya has to bat at no. 3, not below that. Following the skipper should be Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The youngster has been KKR’s top batter so far this season with multiple fifties. He is best suited to bat at no. 4.
There shouldn’t be any room for IPL 2026’s highest-paid player, Cameron Green. The Aussie all-rounder has been lackluster so far this season. The big guy hasn’t contributed either with the bat or with the ball and has been unnecessarily occupying space in the lineup. He is better sitting in the dugout than taking a place for a deserving candidate like Blessing Muzarabani.
Rovman Powell and Rinku Singh will complete the rest of the batting order for KKR. The duo can take charge of the bowlers at any given phase of the game. Therefore, having two finishers will be a better idea for KKR going forward.
Delhi’s young prodigy Tejasvi Dahiya is known for his explosive, high-strike-rate batting, often operating as a finisher, as evidenced by his 339 runs (190+ SR) in the 2025 Delhi Premier League. Him batting at no 6 or 7 would be a blessing for KKR, particularly when Cameron Green’s lackluster performance is hurting the side badly. Ramandeep Singh will then complete the batting order.
Although Ramandeep hasn’t done anything worth mentioning this season either with the bat or with the ball, KKR will retain him in the lineup in hope of hitting some lusty blows doen the order.
If Cameron Green is left out, it will make room for Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani. KKR’s pace attack looks fragile, as they are already missing some big names. Muzarabani will add international experience to this struggling pace attack. Infact, he didn’t do anything wrong to get dropped on the first place. In the game against SRH, Blessing scalped 4 wickets and was dropped for the next fixture. He has been warming the bench for three games in a row and needs to return at any cost.
Varun Chakravarthy will lead the spin bowling attack along with the veteran Sunil Narine. If this duo clicks, which hasn’t been the case so far this season, KKR’s bowling will look completely sorted. Kartik Tyagi has been cranking up speeds this season. He should retain his place in the eleven along with Vaibhav Arora who will feature as the impact sub.
Tags: IPL 2026