KKR get off the mark as rain washes out match against PBKS

Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings were forced to share points after their IPL 2026 clash at Eden Gardens was washed out due to persistent rain. Showers arrived at 7:47 p.m. local time, as predicted, and despite brief lulls that raised play hopes, they persisted long enough to play even a five-over match. After a long wait, match officials finally called off the match at 11 p.m. After losing in consecutive games, the outcome gave KKR their first point of the season, while Punjab Kings were unable to extend their perfect start with two wins. After KKR fielded a squad without either Sunil Narine (illness) or Varun Chakaravarthy (injury) for the first time since 2020, captain Ajinkya Rahane made a surprising decision to bat first under overcast conditions. The decision quickly backfired as KKR slumped to 16 for 2 inside two overs, with Xavier Bartlett exploiting helpful swing to remove Finn Allen and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. After 3.4 overs, play was stopped at 25 for 2 and never resumed.