Eden Gardens Stadium empty during IPL 2026 clash [Source: X and screengrabs]Kolkata Knight Riders haven't started their IPL 2026 campaign on a strong note. From their first three matches, they have collected just one point, with one match being washed out. This woe has been compounded by another concerning scenario at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. During the April 9 clash between KKR and Lucknow Super Giants, Eden Gardens was seen almost empty, with only a handful of spectators present to support their home team. While this is a concern for cricket-crazy fans in Kolkata, there might be multiple reasons behind it. Eden Gardens Stadium half-empty during KKR vs LSG IPL 2026 clash The 68,000-seater stadium, one of the most iconic in the world, serves as the home ground for Bengal cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders. Yet, the second-largest cricket stadium in India suffered an unusual sight on April 9, as the team saw almost 50% of the crowd support it usually receives. Stadium chairs and galleries were empty as cameras panned across the venue during the live match. Known for packed stands, Eden Gardens had multiple sections empty. Also Read- Shreyas Iyer’s Sister Deletes Video; Clarifies On Getting ‘Threatened’ By KKR FansThis could be due to two primary reasons. Firstly, the weather forecast in Kolkata has been rainy, with persistent showers in the city since the start of IPL 2026. Why Eden Gardens Stadium was empty? Naturally, rain could disrupt matches, as seen in the KKR vs PBKS clash, which was completely washed out on April 6 due to a stormy night. This might be one of the reasons why tickets were not sold out or the stadium was not fully occupied, even though it is still the early stage of the tournament. Fans on the internet, however, were focused on KKR’s underwhelming performances, which may have contributed to the low turnout. The absence of big Indian star players, unlike teams such as Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, might also be a key factor behind the reduced crowd during the third IPL 2026 game at Eden Gardens.ChaiPeCricket @ChaiPeCric Eden Gardens with empty seats… that’s the real surprise tonight.. this just doesn’t look right. IPL usually guarantees full stands here but Today the visuals are saying something else. Sometimes, the crowd tells a bigger story than the match. #LSGvKKR #iplindia2026 Apr 9, 2026, 8:08 PM Himanshu @himansh6291 Empty stands in Eden gardens, this is embarassing 😭😭 Deepak Kr Sonkar دیپک दीपक @iamdeepusonkar Eden Gardens is empty. That is the craze of Ajinkya Rahane. Kirtesh @AKirtesh Eden Gardens half-empty for #KKRvsPBKS tonight? 👀 Knights need to wake up fast. No Narine is a big miss but pressure games reveal real players. Who wins tonight? 👇 #IPL2026 #KKR mszczący @WoKyaHotaHai KKR is really an irrelevant team. They’re playing at their home ground, Eden Gardens, yet 90% of the seats are empty. KKR seems to have even fewer fans than LSG. Apr 9, 2026, 8:01 PM Vihaan. @Vihaann96 Almost empty stands at Eden Gardens. Have fans stopped backing KKR anymore? Apr 9, 2026, 8:08 PM Kolkata Knight Riders moves steady inside powerplayNotably, Kolkata lost the toss to Rishabh Pant and Co. and were asked to bat first. After Finn Allen was dismissed controversially following a questionable catch by Digvesh Rathi near the boundary line, Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi steadied the innings. By the end of the powerplay, KKR had reached 56 runs for the loss of one wicket, with Prince Yadav being the only successful bowler among the Lucknow Super Giants pacers, having dismissed Allen. How have KKR players fared so far in IPL? So far, Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been the top scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders in this IPL. From the four matches he has played, he has crossed the 100-run mark while striking at over 160. He also has two half-centuries to his name already in the tournament. Also Read- Dale Steyn Calls Out David Miller's Selfish Ploy, Launches Brutal TiradeAjinkya Rahane has also been scoring consistently, registering over 100 runs at an average of more than 50. In the bowling department, Blessing Muzarabani has been the highest wicket-taker, although he has been benched for the KKR vs LSG IPL 2026 clash. Vaibhav Arora follows with a three-wicket haul, while Kartik Tyagi has picked up two wickets. Sunil Narine, one of Kolkata’s star bowlers, has managed only one wicket so far this season, conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.85.Follow KKR vs LSG Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash
