3 changes KKR could make against PBKS to get to winning ways in IPL 2026

KKR will be playing against PBKS on 6th April at Eden Gardens.

Kolkata Knight Riders haven’t had the kind of start they would have liked to their campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The team has struggled at several moments. Sometimes the bowlers have conceded too many runs, while at other times the batters have failed to capitalise on good starts.

In the first match, they lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) even after posting a huge total of 220 while batting first. In the second game, they bowled first and conceded 226 runs against SRH and later failed to chase it.

There have been many questions raised about some of the management’s decisions and the team not being able to deliver their best. Going forward, the team would like to figure out their best combination and play according to it.

It has only been two games into the season, and KKR may have to rethink about few decisions The early losses have also hurt them, and the management may try to make some changes to the playing XI.

On that note, let’s have a look at the three possible changes KKR can make against PBKS to get back to their winning ways in IPL 2026.

Possible changes in XI for KKR vs PBKS

1. Rovman Powell in place of Cameron Green

Cameron Green was bought by the team in the IPL 2026 auction for a whopping price of ₹25.20 crore. Green, who is traditionally an all-rounder, has not bowled in the tournament yet due to an injury from which he is recovering. It has cost the team a lot because they purchased him for a huge price, but he hasn’t been able to bowl so far.

Even his batting returns have not been significant in the first two games, which might make KKR reconsider this decision. They can bring Rovman Powell into the playing XI in place of Green. The hard-hitting nature of Powell will give batting depth to KKR, and he can take up the role that Andre Russell used to play for the team until last year.

2. Umran Malik in place of Anukul Roy

Another possible change could be introducing an extra pacer into the playing XI. Anukul Roy, who had a great domestic season, has not been able to deliver similar performances in the IPL yet, both with the bat and the ball, and this has been a point of concern for the KKR management.

They might replace him with Umran Malik, who is one of the fastest bowlers in the IPL. The team’s bowling hasn’t clicked yet this season, with everyone leaking runs in the first two games, and the introduction of Umran Malik could help control the flow of runs due to his sheer pace and improved bowling.

3. Manish Pandey in place of Ramandeep Singh

Ramandeep was one of the retentions made by KKR, but he hasn’t been able to prove his worth so far. He was assigned the role of a finisher, but his returns have been very poor, and it is one of the reasons the team is struggling in the middle order.

They can replace him with the experienced Manish Pandey. Pandey, who made his KKR comeback in 2024, hasn’t got many chances in the main playing XI, playing only four matches in the span of two years. However, he brings experience and was one of the key players for KKR during their early successes.

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