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Indian Premier League 2026

KKR vs PBKS Prediction & Match Preview – IPL 2026, 12th Match

Our verdict

Punjab Kings

Punjab’s power-hitting top order and varied pace attack give them a slight edge on a surface where chasing under dew is favoured.

Toss pick: Kolkata Knight Riders

Indian Premier League 2026Kolkata Knight RidersPunjab KingsEden Gardens

Kolkata Knight Riders meet Punjab Kings in the 12th match of the 2026 Indian Premier League at Eden Gardens on 6 April, an evening start under lights.

KKR’s squad is led by Ajinkya Rahane and includes Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh. Their bowling resources feature Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Matheesha Pathirana.

Punjab, captained by Shreyas Iyer, have power at the top through Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, backed by Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Shashank Singh and Mitchell Owen. Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson and Xavier Bartlett give them plenty of variety with the ball.

With boundaries easy to find and dew likely later on, the side that handles the second innings better may hold the advantage. Our pick is Punjab Kings, though a big contest between two strong batting units is expected.

Pitch report

Eden Gardens is generally a good surface for batting in T20 cricket, with pace and bounce that let stroke-makers play freely. The new ball can swing early, but the pitch eases as the innings goes on. Spinners may grip a little in the middle overs without dominating unless the surface is dry, and a quick outfield rewards well-timed shots. Dew often arrives at night, making the ball slippery and favouring the side batting second. Totals of 170–190 are common and captains frequently choose to bowl first.

Weather

Kolkata should be warm and partly cloudy on 6 April, with temperatures of about 25–27°C as the sun sets. The chance of rain is very low. Humidity is expected to be moderate to high, as is usual at this time of year, with a gentle breeze that should not affect play. A full, uninterrupted evening game is likely.

Frequently asked questions

Where is KKR vs PBKS being played?

The 12th match of IPL 2026 takes place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 6 April, starting at 7:30 pm local time.

Will dew matter at Eden Gardens?

Our preview expects dew to develop in the evening, which can make gripping the ball harder and tends to help the chasing side.

Who is the likely winner of KKR vs PBKS?

We lean towards Punjab Kings, though conditions mean the toss and a decision to chase could prove important.

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