IPL 2026 | Match 70: KKR vs DC | Preview and Predictions
Match 70 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season brings us a crucial encounter in the race for the final play-off place, as a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team welcome an inconsistent Delhi Capitals (DC) side to Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
For the game, here we present our preview and predictions.
Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 70: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals | 19:30 IST, 24 May 2026
Despite all the legwork they’ve done to get to this stage, the Knight Riders do not have destiny in their own hands and need favours from others to make it through. The visitors, meanwhile, despite their recent uptick in form, might just have left too much on the plate, especially considering their net run rate (-0.871).
By the time these two sides take the field on Sunday evening, all of this could prove inconsequential. At the time of writing, SunRisers Hyderabad have opted to bat first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 67, while the other two teams of interest here — the Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals — play in Matches 68 and 69, respectively. If both PBKS and RR falter in their respective matches, a win for KKR here could see them clinch fourth place and set up an Eliminator against the SunRisers.
Having now won six of their last seven games, Ajinkya Rahane’s KKR are currently one of the most in-form teams in the tournament, alongside both the Royal Challengers and the Gujarat Titans.
The KKR top order has started to chip in with valuable runs, though the lean patch of skipper Rahane remains a concern. That said, the likes of Finn Allen, Cameron Green, and youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi have been the backbone of their latest resurgence, although the latter might have to sit out this crucial encounter, having gone off the field against the Mumbai Indians due to concussion.
The KKR bowling attack has also found rhythm as the tournament has progressed, with the young Kartik Tyagi spearheading the attack with 18 wickets and the wily old fox Sunil Narine sitting on 14 wickets with an economy rate of just 6.40.
As for their opponents, the Delhi Capitals have only themselves to blame for the situation they find themselves in. They’ve let numerous games slip through their fingers at crucial junctures, while on their off days they have lost heavily.
Too much chopping and changing, both in the batting and bowling departments, has resulted in a very disjointed campaign for DC. Except maybe KL Rahul at the top of the order, and Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs in the middle order, every other slot in the batting order has been part of a merry-go-round.
In the DC bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav has been a shadow of himself, while Lungi Ngidi and Axar sit as the team’s joint-highest wicket-takers with just ten apiece. Mitchell Starc was duly missed in the first half of the season, while the likes of T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, and Ranji Trophy star Aquib Nabi have all flattered to deceive.
In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, conditions are expected to be breezy but humid in Kolkata for this game. Except for the last game, where the overcast conditions played a part and the day game against RR, surfaces during the night games have generally been good for batting.
Looking ahead to this crucial fixture, current form and momentum suggest KKR have the upper hand. However, games are rarely won on paper, and we know one thing about this DC side: despite all the loopholes, they are unpredictable and can beat anybody on their day if they get their act together.
Thus, expect another close game, but if we are to back someone, we’re going with KKR for this one.
Fantasy XI: KL Rahul (vc), Finn Allen (c), Cameron Green, Abishek Porel, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Mitchell Starc, Kartik Tyagi, Lungi Ngidi
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Winners Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders
