IPL 2026: KKR vs PBKS, Match 12 - Top player battles to watch out for

Published - 05 Apr 2026, 16:34 IST | Updated - 05 Apr 2026, 17:56 IST

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) square off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Monday, April 6.

KKR have not had the kind of start they would have envisaged. The three-time champions suffered back-to-back defeats against the Mumbai Indians and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the bowling attack is not looking very threatening, the batting has not clicked as a unit.

On the other hand, the Punjab Kings have continued from where they left off in IPL 2025. The Shreyas Iyer-led side has played fearless cricket to win both its matches so far. They defeated the Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, and will be aiming for a hat-trick on Monday.

Blessing Muzarabani had a rough start to his IPL career as he took a beating against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. However, on his IPL debut at the Eden Gardens, the Zimbabwean speedster bagged a four-for against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will look to strike with the new ball and remove the dangerous Priyansh Arya.

Arya needed just 11 balls to make a stellar impact in the last game against the Chennai Super Kings. The southpaw amassed 39 runs, hitting three fours and four sixes. He will be high on confidence and looking to continue in the same vein on Monday.