NEW DELHI: Rain interrupted the essential IPL 2026 conflict between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, leaving KKR’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread.On the time rain stopped play, Mumbai Indians have been struggling at 57/4 in eight overs after being requested to bat first by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane. The interruption got here simply when Kolkata appeared to have seized management of the competition.Nevertheless, if the match is finally washed out, each groups will likely be compelled to share one level every — a outcome that may severely injury KKR’s possibilities of reaching the playoffs.Kolkata entered the match realizing they wanted to win each of their remaining league video games to remain alive within the qualification race. A no-result would go away them with a most doable tally of 14 factors, which might not be sufficient to safe a top-four end relying on different outcomes.Earlier than the rain arrived, KKR bowlers had delivered a superb begin. Saurabh Dubey eliminated the harmful Suryakumar Yadav cheaply, whereas Mumbai’s prime order struggled to attain freely on a pitch that had spent a lot of the night beneath covers.Talking on the toss, Rahane admitted KKR couldn’t afford any extra errors this season.“We wish to concentrate on that, we have now to win two out of two, and we wish to keep within the second,” Rahane mentioned.Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya additionally mentioned his facet wished to complete the season strongly regardless of already being out of playoff rivalry.“Each sport you play, you wish to win. You wish to play your finest cricket,” Hardik mentioned.A washout would formally finish MI’s marketing campaign with little impression on the standings, however for KKR, it might show a heartbreaking blow after their late resurgence within the match.
