The much-anticipated Match 12 of IPL 2026 between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) ended in a washout on Monday night. Persistent thunderstorms and a waterlogged outfield at Eden Gardens forced officials to call off the game, with both teams being awarded one point each.
A roller-coaster turn of events for this exciting rivalry 🎢#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #KKRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/nkJtiEwpfg
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 6, 2026
While the result was a frustration for the fans, it proved pivotal for the standings: Punjab Kings have officially moved to the 1spot on the points table, while KKR finally opened their account for the season.
Match Summary:
Bartlett’s Early Blitz
Before the heavens opened, a brief but intense 22-ball contest took place. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, standing in for the injured Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first despite a heavy cloud cover.
The decision backfired early as PBKS pacer Xavier Bartlett exploited the humid conditions. In a sensational second over, Bartlett dismissed both Finn Allen (6) and Cameron Green (4), leaving the home side reeling at 25/2 in just 3.4 overs.
Key Stats (Shortened Play):
KKR Score: 25/2 (3.4 overs)
Xavier Bartlett: 2 wickets for 9 runs (1.4 overs)
Arshdeep Singh: 0 wickets for 16 runs (2.0 overs)
The Rain Intervention
A sudden ‘Kalbaisakhi’ (local thunderstorm) struck the city around 8:30 PM, intensifying rapidly. Although the rain eventually relented near 10:30 PM, the damage was done. Large puddles near the boundary and excessive water on the covers made the outfield unsafe for play. Despite the ground staff’s best efforts, the umpires officially abandoned the match just before the 11:14 PM cutoff for a five-over shootout.
Updated Points Table: PBKS on Top
The shared point has shaken up the early-season leaderboard. Punjab Kings remain unbeaten with two wins and a no-result, leapfrogging RCB and Rajasthan Royals to take the summit.
A wet outfield forces KKR and PBKS to share points.KKR move to 8th place (1 pt).
