How can KKR qualify for IPL 2026? Former India cricketer gives hypothetical yet practical possibility

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their fourth successive win in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by eight wickets on Friday, May 8 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. KKR opener Finn Allen dismantled the DC bowling attack by scoring unbeaten 100 off just 47 balls.

Can KKR qualify for playoffs?

KKR endured a tough start, failing to win any of their first six matches. This marked the first instance where the Kolkata-based franchise lost its first two opening fixtures. However, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side managed to find some momentum by winning the last four matches.

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After KKR's win over DC, former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta said that Ajinkya Rahane and Co. have a slight chance to qualify for the playoffs, only if their spinners perform at the same level.

In an interaction with ESPN, Deep Dasgupta favored KKR to secure a playoff berth despite having a disastrous start, but with Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine coming back to form is a big positive aspect. Considering the pitches would become slow in nature towards the fag end of the tournament, KKR might turn the tables around.

"A couple of things - one is obviously first half of the season Varun [Chakaravarthy] didn't have a good start. They depend a lot on those two bowlers - Varun and Sunil [Narine]: eight overs. And two, second half [of the IPL], a lot of these pitches or venues which have been used so far are getting a little tired. Where the spinners' role becomes that much more important," said Dasgupta.

While continuing, Dasgupta predicted that KKR might outperform in the second-half of the tournament as compared to their horrible first half.

"So the way they are set up, and how they play, I think it's always going to be the second half of the tournament where they will do much better than the first half," he added.

KKR's current position in the points table

Currently, KKR sit at the seventh place with nine points in hand after playing 10 games in the tournament at a net run rate of -0.169. If KKR manage to win their remaining four games, they will finish the league stage with 17 points, which could be enough for qualification. However, one defeat would derail the late surge from KKR.