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

Punjab Kings - (AP)

On Monday, April 6, the Punjab Kings will lock horns against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their third IPL match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The two teams have got off to contrasting start in the tournament.

Talking about KKR, the three-time winners have lost their first two matches. It is for the first time since 2012 that the Kolkata Knight Riders have lost their opening two matches. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are fresh with two wins.

Shedding light on Punjab Kings, they started their campaign with a win over the Gujarat Titans. They followed it up with a brilliant performance against the Chennai Super Kings.

PBKS vs KKR Preview

The two teams have a rich history, and it promises to be an interesting battle when they face off against each other on Monday. For the unversed, PBKS defended a low total of 111 runs when they restricted KKR to just 95 runs.

Also, PBKS hold the record for the biggest run-chase in IPL history against KKR when the Shreyas Iyer-led side chased down 262 runs in IPL 2024. Therefore, it will be interesting to see the two teams have a go at each other.

Talking about Punjab Kings, they have two wins in the bag, but it will be interesting to see if they opt for any changes in their playing XI, and this article will shed light on Punjab Kings’ predicted playing XI vs KKR.

PBKS Likely Playing XI vs KKR - Match 12

Openers and Top Order (Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Conolly)

The top-order needs no changes in the playing XI. Priyansh Arya won the player of the match against CSK when he scored a quickfire 39 (11). Prabhsimran Singh too looked in great touch and scored a brilliant 43 (34).

Cooper Connolly has really been the find of the season so far, as the Australian all-rounder briefly held the orange cap for his 108-run tally in two innings for PBKS. PBKS have a solid top-order and will continue to headline the playing XI.

Middle Order and All Rounders (Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis)

Shreyas Iyer also returned to form against Chennai Super Kings and shrugged off injury concerns. The right-handed batter scored 50 (29), which featured four fours and three sixes. The trouble for PBKS at the moment is that their middle-order is not been tested so far.

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Nehal Wadhera is struggling for runs and has just 13 runs in two innings. The southpaw is under pressure and needs to regain his mojo. However, he will be given a longer rope and will be seen in the playing XI against KKR.

Similarly, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis are yet to put to the test this season. Punjab would want their lower middle-order to bat more to actually be in form ahead of big games.

Bowlers (Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh)

Arshdeep Singh has been underwhelming so far in the tournament. The left-arm seamer is leaking runs and is yet to take a wicket in IPL 2026. Other than wickets, Singh’s economy has been concerning as he has leaked 40+ runs in both matches.

Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, and Yuzvendra Chahal will be the rest of the three bowlers who will make the playing XI. Therefore, Punjab Kings will go ahead with the same playing XI.