Kolkata Knight Riders had a rough start to their IPL 2026 season, losing their first two matches, and things didn’t improve early in their game against Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens on Monday.Electing to bat first, KKR lost Finn Allen and Cameron Green early, reaching 25 for 2 in 3.4 overs. Captain Ajinkya Rahane And Angkrish Raghuvanshi was at the crease when rain stopped play.
KKR, looking for their first win of the season, faltered early when Xavier Bartlett struck twice inside three balls.Showcasing excellent control of swing and seam, the Australian fast bowler removed KKR’s two star overseas recruits Finn Allen (6) and Cameron Green (4), who were promoted to No.1. 3.Former players Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Saba Karim and Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the decision to bat first in cloudy conditions.During the rain break, the cameras showed the KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan In conversation with team CEO Venky Mysore. The conversation seemed serious, with Mysore listening while Shah Rukh Khan spoke and used hand gestures.It is not known on what topic this discussion took place. Shah Rukh Khan was attending his first KKR match of IPL 2026. He was at the ground with his manager Pooja Dadlani and daughter Suhana Khan, who were seen watching nearby.“Looks like they are having a similar conversation. King of Bollywood, owner of KKR. Deep conversation with KKR CEO Venky Mysore,” said the host during the rain-break show.KKR made changes to their playing XI for this match, bringing in Ruman Powell and Navdeep Saini as Sunil Narine and Varun Chakraborty were unavailable.Punjab Kings went with the same team in their previous match.
