IPL 2026: Deep Dasgupta Says KKR Still Have Key Issues To Fix

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has stated that Kolkata Knight Riders still have important shortcomings to address, even after showing resilience in IPL 2026. His assessment came after their 40-run loss to the Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens.

KKR’s season began on a disappointing note, as they were winless in their first six encounters and struggled to find momentum. The team responded strongly by winning six of their next seven matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Even so, other match outcomes worked against them. Rajasthan Royals secured a win over the Mumbai Indians, which ended KKR’s chances of advancing. The side ultimately concluded their campaign in seventh place following their final defeat.

Dasgupta highlighted that the team’s early struggles were largely due to the absence of several key players, especially in the bowling department. This lack of availability prevented the side from establishing a stable combination.

Dasgupta further noted that players such as Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane took time to settle into form. He said that delay contributed to the team’s poor start.

Despite the setbacks, Dasgupta acknowledged some positives from the campaign. He commended Varun Chakaravarthy for delivering strong performances after returning to the side.

Dasgupta also praised youngsters Kartik Tyagi and Angkrish Raghuvanshi for their impressive performances.

Dasgupta, however, reiterated that several clear gaps remain in the squad. He said the franchise must address those issues to build a more competitive team for next season.

Shifting focus to the playoffs, Dasgupta shared his perspective on the Qualifier 1 encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the HPCA Stadium. He stressed that the outcome of the powerplay overs would be crucial in shaping the result.

Dasgupta observed that the contest between Gujarat’s top-order batters and the new-ball duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood would be pivotal. He recalled that Shubman Gill had earlier handled Hazlewood effectively, while Bhuvneshwar managed to strike early and build pressure.

Dasgupta concluded by saying that the opening six overs could determine the course of the match. He added that the winner of this fixture may well go on to claim the title.

The IPL 2026 final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals End Season With Dominant Win Over KKR