IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders’ strongest predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will look to extend their impressive four match winning streak as they take on their arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the match 57 of the IPL 2026 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur on May 13. 

After a horrific start to their season, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side have made a stunning comeback, winning four matches on a trot to ignite their playoff hopes.

RCB, on the other hand, will enter this contest after their nail-biting victory over Mumbai Indians at the same venue. With both teams competing for the playoff berth, this promises to be a mouth watering contest.

Here is Kolkata Knight Riders’ strongest predicted XI vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

Top-order: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Finn Allen (IMP), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK)

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane will continue to open alongside New Zealand’s power hitter Finn Allen. The ‘Finn-sanity’ finally arrived in IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals when he smashed a sensational hundred.

Rahane, on the other hand, is struggling for form, and would want to contribute more with the bat. Angkrish Raghuvanshi will take the number 3 spot, and plays a crucial role with his presence. He will also keep wicket.

Middle-order: Rinku Singh, Cameron Green, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy

Cameron Green is slowly finding his feet after a sluggish start to the season, scoring 232 runs, while also picking up few valuable wickets with the ball. Rinku Singh remains KKR’s most trusted batter with his all-round game. He will be KKR’s designated finisher as well. His reliable fielding ability gives another dimension to this side.

Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey add immense experience in this middle-order with their presence, while Anukul Roy gives this side stability with his all-round presence.

Bowlers: Sunil Narine, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora

Sunil Narine still continues to be KKR’s backbone after all those years. Despite not being used much with the bat this season, he is delivering with the ball for his side. Him and Varun Chakravarthy form a deadly spin duo in the middle-overs, and can choke the opposition batting line-up.

Young Kartik Tyagi has turned out to be a genuine wicket-taker for this side, picking up 13 wickets so far, whereas Vaibhav Arora will operate with the new ball. 

KKR’s predicted playing XI for match 57, IPL 2026

Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun chakaravarthy.

Impact Player: Finn Allen