The iconic Eden Gardens is set to host its final game of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) when the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on the Delhi Capitals
(DC) on Sunday, May 24, as part of the double header.
There is a possibility that even before the first ball is bowled in the game, KKR and DC would have known their fate in the tournament. Should the Rajasthan Royals beat the Mumbai Indians hours before the game at the Eden Gardens kicks off, the game in Bengal becomes irrelevant towards the playoffs.
KKR and DChave played each other once this season in New Delhi, where the three-time champions secured an eight-wicket victory, thanks to Finn Allen’s century. The two sides’ last encounter at the Eden Gardens took place in 2024, where KKR came on top by seven wickets.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata: Pitch Report
During the early stages of the IPL, Eden Gardens was known around the cricketing fraternity for having pitches that were slow and assisted the spinners. Things have, however, changed in recent times, with the pitch becoming more batting-friendly. It also helps the batters when the outfield is one of the quickest in the country. Earlier this month, KKR went on to score 247 runs in the first innings against the Gujarat Titans.
IPL Stats and Records at the Eden Gardens
| Matches Played |
106 |
| Matches Won Batting First |
44 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 60 |
| Matches With No Result | 02 |
| Matches Tied | 00 |
| Average First Innings Score | 165 |
| Highest Team Total | 262/2 |
| Lowest Team Total | 49 |
| Highest Total Successfully Chased | 262/2 |
KKR vs DC: Strategies and Match-ups
The Knight Riders have settled on an explosive batting lineup, which is led by Finn Allen and Cameron Green at the top of the order. They will come up against a Capitals bowling unit which does not have a bowler who has taken wickets consistently on a consistent basis. Despite playing 13 matches, DC’s highest wicket-taker remains captain Axar Patel, along with Lungi Ngidi, with 10 wickets each.
KKR have always had an upper hand over DC in the IPL. The two sides have played each other 36 times since the tournament’s inception in 2008, with the three-time champions winning 20 times. They have also secured four consecutive wins against the team from the capital city of India.
