IPL 2026: KKR must fix squad gaps before next season, says Deep Dasgupta
Synopsis
KKR won six of their last seven games in IPL 2026 — and it still wasn’t enough. A catastrophic six-match losing start cost the three-time champions dearly, and former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta says the squad gaps that triggered that collapse must be fixed before next season. The comeback was real; so is the unfinished business.
Key Takeaways
KKR finished seventh on the IPL 2026 points table after a 40-run loss to Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens on 25 May .
The side lost their first six matches before winning six of the next seven — a turnaround that ultimately fell short.
Rajasthan Royals’ 30-run win over Mumbai Indians eliminated KKR from playoff contention.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta cited bowling unavailability and slow starts from Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane as key early-season problems.
Varun Chakravarthy’s return to form was highlighted as a positive for the franchise to build on.
Qualifier 1 between RCB and Gujarat Titans takes place at Dharamshala on Tuesday, with the final set for Ahmedabad on 31 May .
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has said that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) still need to address “a few obvious gaps” in their squad ahead of IPL 2027, despite the three-time champions staging a spirited second-half comeback in IPL 2026. Dasgupta made the remarks on JioHotstar following KKR’s 40-run defeat to Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens on Sunday, 25 May.
A Season of Two Halves
KKR’s IPL 2026 campaign was a study in contrasts. The side lost their opening six matches, raising serious questions about squad depth and team balance. They then reversed course dramatically, winning six of their next seven games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Ultimately, it was not enough. Rajasthan Royals beating Mumbai Indians by 30 runs simultaneously sealed KKR’s fate, sending them out of the competition with a seventh-place finish on the points table.
What Dasgupta Said
“Kolkata Knight Riders had a difficult season in many ways, especially with the unavailability of several players during the first half of the tournament, particularly in the bowling department,” Dasgupta said. “That made it challenging for them to settle on the right balance early on.”
He pointed to the slow starts of key batters Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane as compounding factors in the team’s poor opening run. However, Dasgupta also highlighted the positives, singling out spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s strong return after missing a couple of matches as a bright spot.
“Even so, there are still a few obvious gaps in the squad that they will need to address heading into next season,” he added.
Eyes on Qualifier 1: RCB vs GT
Dasgupta also turned his attention to Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT), scheduled at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday. The winner will advance directly to the final, set for the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 31 May.
He identified the Powerplay battle as the decisive contest. “The biggest battle in Qualifier 1 will be the Powerplay contest between Gujarat Titans’ top-order batters and the new-ball pairing of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood,” Dasgupta said. He noted that Shubman Gill had been outstanding against Hazlewood in their previous encounter, while Bhuvneshwar had picked up crucial early wickets.
“My gut feeling is that whichever team wins this game could go on to win the tournament,” he said. With both sides relying heavily on strong starts, the first six overs in Dharamshala could shape the entire playoff run.
Point of View
But it obscures the deeper issue: the franchise went into the tournament without adequate depth in the one department — bowling — that wins T20 titles. Dasgupta’s warning about ‘obvious gaps’ is polite language for what the standings make plain. If KKR enter IPL 2027 with the same bowling frailties, a repeat of the first-half collapse is not a risk — it is a probability.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did KKR get eliminated from IPL 2026?
KKR were eliminated from IPL 2026 after finishing seventh on the points table. Despite winning six of their last seven matches, their early-season collapse — six losses in their first six games — left them too far behind, and Rajasthan Royals’ 30-run win over Mumbai Indians on the same day sealed their exit.
What gaps did Deep Dasgupta identify in KKR’s squad?
Dasgupta pointed to the unavailability of key bowlers in the first half of the tournament as the primary structural problem, which prevented KKR from settling on the right team balance early. He also noted that Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane took time to find form, compounding the side’s struggles.
What were the positives for KKR in IPL 2026?
Dasgupta highlighted Varun Chakravarthy’s strong return after missing a couple of games as a notable positive. KKR’s ability to win six of their last seven matches also demonstrated the squad’s resilience and competitive depth when fully fit.
What is Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 and when is it?
Qualifier 1 is between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, scheduled at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday. The winner advances directly to the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 31 May.
Who does Deep Dasgupta favour in Qualifier 1?
Dasgupta stopped short of naming a winner but said his ‘gut feeling’ is that whichever team wins Qualifier 1 could go on to win the tournament. He identified the Powerplay battle between Gujarat Titans’ top order and the RCB new-ball pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood as the key contest.
