KKR Predicted Playing XI Vs PBKS, IPL 2026, Match 12

KKR Predicted Playing XI Vs PBKS [Source: AP]

The minute the IPL 2026 mini auction got over, doubts crept in regarding KKR’s squad for the ongoing season. The former IPL winners had the largest purse heading into the auction, but they wasted money at the auction table, resulting in two consecutive losses in the current campaign.

With their backs against the wall, KKR will need to get their IPL 2026 campaign on track against the red-hot Punjab Kings, who have already won two in a row.

KKR Vs PBKS Preview

Heading into the IPL 2026 season, KKR had plenty of issues to deal with. Their bowling lacked cutting-edge, and the franchise was missing two of its key bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana and Harshit Rana. The batting, too, depended heavily on the top order, as the middle-order was fragile.

Ajinkya Rahane, the skipper, has come under the firing line, especially after his strike-rate comments in the press conference. Barring Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Finn Allen to some extent, the batting has looked out of sorts.

Another loss will severely hamper KKR’s IPL season, and ahead of the crucial game, here is how the team could lineup, with one key change coming up.

KKR Playing XI Vs PBKS- IPL 2026, Match 12

Openers and top order: Ajinkya Rahane, Finn Allen, Cameron Green

In an ideal scenario, KKR should play Sunil Narine at the top, considering his stellar track record as an opener. However, if he plays alongside Allen as an opener, Rahane’s place in the lineup won’t make any sense. The KKR captain also loves to open, but in any other position, he becomes a liability for the franchise.

Rahane will bat alongside Allen, and the KKR side would hope that he can deliver the goods against a rampant PBKS team.

KKR invested 25.2 crores in acquiring the services of Cameron Green, but so far, in two matches, things have not worked out for the Aussie all-rounder. He has not scored anything significant with the bat and has not bowled a single over. KKR certainly won’t give up on their marquee signing that easily, and he’ll once again be trusted to bat at number 3 by the management.

Middle order and all-rounders: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sunil Narine

Raghuvanshi has slammed back-to-back fifties in the IPL 2026, and he has been KKR’s best player in the ongoing tournament. A lot will depend on how the right-handed batter plays, as the KKR lineup looks fragile on paper.

Another player who has been underperforming is the KKR vice-captain, Rinku Singh. His strike-rate has been questionable in the IPL 2026, but the management would hope that the southpaw could come in handy against the Punjab Kings.

One possible change that the former IPL winners could make is dropping Ramandeep Singh from the team, and in his place, they should bring in X-factor, Tejasvi Dahiya. Ramandeep has been poor since the start of the last IPL, and has not even scored 100 runs since then. Instead, the team should look at Dahiya, who has been striking at around 169 in T20s, and he could be a brilliant finisher for the side.

At least for this game, Sunil Narine would also play as a finisher, a role that doesn't suit his skillsets.

Also Read: KKR Cracked Up! Massive Revolt Erupts Against Captain Ajinkya Rahane

Bowlers: Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Blessing Muzarabani, Kartik Tyagi

Just like their batting, the KKR bowling lineup has also come under immense scrutiny. Blessing Muzarabani, their overseas pacer has blown hot and cold, but he was decent in the last game against SRH.

Vaibhav Arora will start the proceedings and will be the lead Indian pacer in the lineup, alongside Kartik Tyagi. However, KKR’s biggest headache has been the form of Varun Chakaravarthy.

The spinner has conceded plenty of runs in the opening two matches, but with no quality replacements available, KKR will play him against PBKS.

KKR Playing XI Vs PBKS- Ajinkya Rahane, Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Blessing Muzarabani, Kartik Tyagi