Ajinkya Rahane To Drop Himself Midway In IPL 2026? KKR's Strongest XI Vs RR

KKR predicted playing XI Vs RR [Source: AFP]

6 matches played, just a solitary point secured, and five losses under their belt, this has been KKR’s journey in the ongoing IPL 2026. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, KKR have failed to deliver the goods and have constantly chopped and changed their playing XIs.

In the last match against the Gujarat Titans, KKR suffered their fifth loss of the season despite playing their best game in IPL 2026. The batting lacks a cutting edge, and there is hardly any X-factor in the bowling department, as the team sits last in the points table.

The team will face a tough test against the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday afternoon, and ahead of KKR’s make-or-break game, here is how the franchise could lineup, with a couple of stern decisions likely to be taken.

KKR playing XI Vs RR, IPL 2026, Match 28

Openers and top order: Tim Seifert, Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Tim Seifert replaced Finn Allen in the KKR playing XI, last game, and he was expected to score some runs. However, the poor trend continued as Seifert replicated Allen's numbers, and couldn't do much against the Titans.

The captain of the team, Ajinkya Rahane, is under tremendous pressure to perform. His captaincy tactics have been questionable, as KKR are sitting in last place. Moreover, with the bat, Rahane has not done much as his strike-rate after the power play has come under scrutiny.

In the 2018 season, Gautam Gambhir, who led DC, dropped himself mid-way through the season as Shreyas Iyer was appointed the new captain. He was poor with the bat, and as a result, Gambhir opted out of the playing XI. Rahane should do the same from the next game onwards, but perhaps, he won’t take this harsh call.

Middle order and all-rounders: Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh

Cameron Green, the most expensive buy of the IPL 2026 mini auction, finally justified his price tag by playing a sublime knock of 79 off 55 and taking the Knight Riders to a decent total. Slowly and steadily, he has started to score some runs, and KKR would hope he can continue to trouble the opposition bowlers.

Ideally, KKR should replace Rinku Singh in their playing XI. He was retained by the franchise for a hefty price, but so far, he has failed in all six KKR matches. However, the management has always backed the southpaw, and they’ll continue to do so against the Royals.

Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, and Sunil Narine will be used as floaters and finishers by the KKR side.

Also Read: 1st Ever Indian To Do So! Varun Chakaravarthy Scripts Historic IPL Record For KKR

Bowlers: Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kartik Tyagi

Neither KKR’s batting nor its bowling has done any wonders. Anukul Roy, and Varun Chakaravarthy will lead the spin attack, alongside Narine, and Kartik Tyagi will be the lead pacer, with Vaibhav Arora likely coming in as an impact sub.

Chakaravarthy has failed in IPL 2026, and so has Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi has been decent, but they need more from him.

KKR playing XI Vs RR- Match 28, IPL 2026

Tim Seifert, Ajinkya Rahane(C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kartik Tyagi