After losing five consecutive completed games at the start of IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hardly looked like a playoffs contender for the rest of the season. But a string of five wins across the next six games has turned their season around. According to head coach Abhishek Nayar, this turnaround is because of the belief the team management had, despite the injuries that have hit their campaign.
Now, one day ahead of their final league game against Delhi Capitals at home, qualification - as of Saturday night - is still possible. "When you're in adverse situations, the one thing as a leadership group that you can do is be consistent with your players," Nayar reflected on their topsy-turvy campaign. "The messaging didn't change a lot, the trust in the players didn't change a lot. The way we looked at our players didn't change a lot.
"I think that's something that is really hard, when everything around you starts to feel like it's crumbling… To stay strong to your core values and ethos, as a team and an individual.
"And I feel once the team starts to see that, and as the team starts to get comfortable in their roles - because a lot of the players have come in for the first time in the franchise as well, without making any excuses, we had a lot of injuries going into it - so sometimes it takes time for people to understand what we're trying to do with the team. And I think once you get that flow - and we talk about momentum being a key integer in T20 cricket - once that momentum starts to build, the belief system starts to build."
KKR will be without Angkrish Raghuvanshi, their highest run-scorer of the season, on Sunday after he picked up a concussion and finger fracture. Nayar said that KKR are embracing the situation, given their "luck" with injuries this season.
KKR had Matheesha Pathirana available midway through the season, and once he played, his season lasted just eight balls. Akash Deep and Harshit Rana were ruled out before the tournament started. And Mustafizur Rahman was asked to be withdrawn by the BCCI after KKR had spent INR 9.20 crore ($US1.02 million approx.) on him at the auction.
But one player who has fought on, despite a fracture to his toe, has been Varun Chakravarthy. He limped as he bowled his overs in KKR's must-win game against Gujarat Titans. Nayar said Varun's commitment was commendable, not just for fighting through the pain, but also overcoming a lean start to the IPL. His poor form had continued from the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
"For him to go through that and start the season on a topsy-turvy curve, come back into form, have injuries... he's broken quite a few limbs in this tournament already. Before that, two fingers, and now, his toe," Nayar said. "I always say the toughest characters learn to go past pain and adversity, and that's what Varun Chakaravarthy is. He doesn't seem like a tough character when you speak to him, but internally he's someone who's highly motivated and feels very deeply for the franchise.
"He's been a franchise player for us [for a long time], he's been an integral part, and I think he understands it. So he's very emotional when it comes to this team, very emotional when it comes to everyone associated with this team, and I feel that's the thought process behind him actually wanting to do it, and not having to force him to do it."
KKR, though, will not have any chance of qualifying if Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians on Sunday afternoon, in the penultimate game of the season. It will take place just before KKR's fixture against DC. Even if RR win and KKR get eliminated from playoff contention, Nayar said the intensity will be equally high, as a gift to their fans in Kolkata.
"You need to understand that everyone who buys a ticket and comes to watch the game… The whole city gets a bit of happiness from every win. And the players… know that," Nayar said. "Our fans feel a lot for the franchise. So, it doesn't matter whether it's a dead rubber or not, the mindset will be to play the best cricket that we can."
"And you know while every individual in that team represents this franchise, they also represent themselves. They want to leave an impression. So, the cricket will stay the same, the attitude will stay the same, doesn't matter what the result is."