Abhishek Nayar

Ahead of a crucial IPL 2026 clash, Rohit Sharma lightened the mood with a hilarious impression of KKR coach Abhishek Nayar during Mumbai Indians' training. While Rohit's antics brought laughter, Kolkata Knight Riders face immense pressure to win against MI to keep their playoff hopes alive, despite a recent resurgence.

Finn Allen's career-defining maiden IPL century powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals. Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls, reflecting on a mindset shift towards adaptability and responsibility after early season struggles. Time out of the XI helped reset his perspective, leading to this explosive turnaround.

Saurabh Dubey’s selection as Kolkata Knight Riders’ injury replacement raised eyebrows after the left-arm pacer spent over two years out of competitive cricket. But KKR’s faith in the former net bowler is beginning to pay off. After impressive spells against Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, including wickets of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, Dubey has emerged as one of the surprise stories of KKR’s season.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that relentless criticism about his short-ball struggles fueled a dramatic batting transformation in IPL 2026. He admitted that doubts triggered a shift in mindset and preparation, leading him to aggressively attack short deliveries. This improved control against pace has been crucial to Punjab's unbeaten streak, including a record-breaking chase.

IPL 2026 has seen controversial umpiring decisions, including Angkrish Raghuvanshi's obstructing the field dismissal and Kartik Tyagi's bowling in the final over. Former umpire Anil Chaudhary believes Raghuvanshi's dismissal was not deliberate and Tyagi should have been removed from the attack, though he remains satisfied with the overall umpiring standard.

Venkatesh Iyer, now with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a significant price drop, embraces a team-first approach despite limited game time. He understands the settled combination of the defending champions and credits the coaching staff for clarity on his role. Iyer remains mentally prepared, focusing on improving his red-ball bowling with the ambition of winning the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh.

Kolkata Knight Riders have received a significant boost with the arrival of Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana, who has cleared fitness tests. Despite his presence, the team management might be cautious about his immediate inclusion. KKR, struggling with six winless matches and tactical questions, faces a strong Rajasthan Royals side.

The spinner returned to form with figures of 3/14 on a slow Eden Gardens surface, helping Kolkata Knight Riders register their first win after six matches, beating Rajasthan Royals by four wickets.

Kolkata Knight Riders are in a deep slump, losing their fifth match and sitting at the bottom of the IPL 2026 table. Despite a coaching change, results remain elusive. Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has predicted a return for ex-coach Brendon McCullum next season. Captain Ajinkya Rahane acknowledged the tough losses but highlighted positive individual performances.

Abhishek Nayar has termed Cameron Green’s absence with the ball in IPL 2026 as “unfortunate” due to a back injury but stressed KKR view him as a long-term successor to Andre Russell. Nayar said the franchise invests in players for their overall value, not short-term returns. He also backed Varun Chakaravarthy, saying the spinner is mentally strong and will bounce back despite recent struggles.

Kolkata Knight Riders coach Abhishek Nayar addressed concerns about Cameron Green's bowling. He stated Green was acquired as a long-term prospect, not just for immediate impact. The team considered Green as a potential all-rounder if Andre Russell was unavailable. Nayar acknowledged that future circumstances can alter plans. He also expressed confidence in Varun Chakravarthy's return to form.

Both Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad face a daunting challenge after high-scoring opening losses, struggling with bowling frailties and missing key players. Their bowling attacks were heavily punished, forcing coaches to rethink team combinations. KKR's middle order also showed weakness, while SRH conceded heavily in the Powerplay. Expect changes as both teams aim for a turnaround.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their first IPL 2026 win with a dominant 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite a strong bowling comeback restricting SRH to 226/8, KKR's batters faltered, being bowled out for 161. Key performances included Finn Allen's explosive start and Angkrish Raghuvanshi's half-century, but ultimately, SRH's bowling proved too strong.

Kolkata's IPL franchise launched its vision for the 2026 season with a fan engagement event, featuring player introductions and entertainment. CEO Venky Mysore highlighted a positive squad environment, while Captain Ajinkya Rahane emphasized a fearless brand of cricket. Head coach Abhishek Nayar underscored the value of experienced support staff in aiming for greater heights.

Andre Russell's IPL journey with KKR has concluded after he went unsold in the 2026 mini-auction. Head coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in Indian talents Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh to fill the void left by the explosive all-rounder. Russell leaves behind a remarkable legacy of match-winning performances for the franchise.

At a preseason event in Kolkata, KKR retired Andre Russell’s No. 12 jersey, honouring his impact and loyalty. Despite past exit rumours, he stayed committed and now takes on a Power Coach role. Russell reflected emotionally on his career, saying he “left everything on the field.” Meanwhile, Rinku Singh was named vice-captain under Ajinkya Rahane for the new season.

Kolkata Knight Riders face an early IPL 2026 challenge with pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Harshit Rana sidelined by injuries. Coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed Pathirana's absence for the initial phase. Mentor Dwayne Bravo, however, expressed confidence in India's fast-bowling depth, mentioning Umran Malik as a potential replacement, and lauded the team's formidable spin attack.