KKR vs DC, IPL 2026: Date, time, where to watch, squads
Synopsis
Both KKR and Delhi Capitals head into their IPL 2026 league finale at Eden Gardens on 24 May knowing a win alone may not be enough — their playoff fate is as much in Punjab Kings' and Mumbai Indians' hands as their own. KKR's six-win run in seven games makes them the form side, but the net run-rate arithmetic is brutal.
Key Takeaways
KKR vs DC IPL 2026 league finale is on Sunday, 24 May at 7:30 pm IST , Eden Gardens, Kolkata .
Both teams remain mathematically alive for the playoffs but are heavily dependent on results from PBKS vs LSG (Saturday) and MI vs RR (Sunday).
KL Rahul leads Delhi's batting with 533 runs at a strike rate above 171 ; DC's bowling has been a persistent weak link.
KKR have won 6 of their last 7 matches to revive their playoff push after an injury-hit start.
Live broadcast on Star Sports ; live streaming on JioHotstar .
Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals will face off in a high-stakes IPL 2026 league-stage finale at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday, 24 May, with playoff survival on the line for both sides. The 7:30 pm IST clash doubles as a must-win fixture — though even victory may not be enough without favourable results from other matches.
The Qualification Equation
The playoff picture for both teams is heavily contingent on results elsewhere. Punjab Kings (PBKS) face the already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday — a PBKS win would mathematically end Delhi Capitals' campaign and force KKR to beat DC by a massive margin to overhaul Punjab's superior net run-rate. Even a narrow Punjab victory puts Kolkata in an extremely tight spot.
Both teams will also need Mumbai Indians to defeat Rajasthan Royals in Sunday's earlier match. A Rajasthan win that takes them to 16 points would seal their own qualification and complicate the equation further for KKR and DC.
Delhi Capitals: Brilliant Bat, Brittle Ball
KL Rahul has been Delhi's standout performer this season, amassing 533 runs at a strike rate above 171. The return of David Miller has added middle-order muscle, but DC's bowling attack has repeatedly let them down. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav — two of India's most reliable white-ball bowlers — have delivered underwhelming displays throughout the season, a contradiction that has cost Delhi dearly.
KKR's Second Wind
Kolkata's campaign appeared derailed early on as injuries disrupted their bowling unit. However, six wins from their last seven matches represent one of the tournament's more remarkable turnarounds. That momentum heading into the final league fixture gives KKR a psychological edge, even as the arithmetic remains unforgiving.
Match Details and Where to Watch
The KKR vs DC IPL 2026 match is scheduled for Sunday, 24 May, with play commencing at 7:30 pm IST at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The game will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels, while JioHotstar will carry the live stream for digital viewers.
Full Squads
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Umran Malik, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Kartik Tyagi, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sarthak Ranjan, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep, Prashant Solanki, Daksh Kamra.
Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (c), KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Nitish Rana, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Lungi Ngidi, Vipraj Nigam, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi Dar, Mitchell Starc, Kyle Jamieson, Rehan Ahmed.
With so much riding on external results, Sunday evening at Eden Gardens promises high drama — regardless of what happens on the pitch.
Point of View
Which strips the contest of some of its tactical purity. Delhi's problem is structural: KL Rahul has carried the batting almost single-handedly, and a bowling attack featuring Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav underperforming is a damning indictment of conditions or planning, or both. KKR's late-season surge is real, but six wins in seven only matters if Punjab stumble — and Lucknow, already eliminated, have little incentive to roll over.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the KKR vs DC IPL 2026 match?
The KKR vs DC IPL 2026 league-stage match is scheduled for Sunday, 24 May, at 7:30 pm IST at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It is the final league-stage fixture for both teams.
Where can I watch KKR vs DC live?
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels. JioHotstar will carry the live stream for digital viewers across India.
Can KKR and DC still qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Both teams are mathematically alive but their qualification depends heavily on other results. A Punjab Kings win on Saturday would end Delhi's campaign, while KKR would need a massive victory margin to overhaul Punjab's net run-rate. Both sides also need Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
Who are the key players to watch in KKR vs DC?
KL Rahul, who has scored 533 runs at a strike rate above 171, is Delhi's most dangerous batter. For KKR, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy are key all-round threats. The form of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav with the ball will be critical for Delhi's chances.
What has been KKR's recent form heading into this match?
KKR have won six of their last seven IPL 2026 matches, staging a strong comeback after an injury-hit start disrupted their bowling unit. That run of form makes them the in-form side heading into the final league fixture.
