Shane Watson

Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Shane Watson hopes Virat Kohli makes an early aggressive mistake against them in their crucial IPL 2026 clash. Despite Kohli's strong season, he's had back-to-back ducks, a rare dip KKR aims to exploit. Watson acknowledged Kohli's brilliance but expressed a wish for a rare misstep to gain an advantage.

Virat Kohli achieved a special milestone in IPL 2026, smashing five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada in a single over. This rare feat places him alongside Chris Gayle and Shane Watson in Royal Challengers Bengaluru history. Despite Rabada striking back later, Kohli's explosive start set a strong tone for RCB.

The IPL playoff race has reached its decisive stretch. With roughly a dozen league fixtures remaining, eight teams are still in contention for the four playoff spots. No team can afford to relax just yet. This will not be lost on either Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Kolkata Knight Riders when they face off in Raipur on Wednesday.

With only 11 days remaining in the IPL 2026 league stage, the playoff race is wide open. Kolkata Knight Riders have staged a remarkable comeback, winning four consecutive matches. They now sit eighth with nine points and a game in hand. KKR must win all their remaining four fixtures to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's potential absence against RCB would be a significant boost for Bengaluru. Chakaravarthy's recent return to form has been crucial for KKR's winning streak, but an injury concern looms. Kaif highlighted Virat Kohli's comfort against faster spinners, suggesting his absence would benefit RCB.

Kolkata Knight Riders face a must-win IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with star spinner Varun Chakravarthy's fitness a major concern. Assistant coach Shane Watson expressed optimism about the team's recent form and potential playoff push, highlighting Angkrish Raghuvanshi's impressive skill development.

Finn Allen's career-defining maiden IPL century powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals. Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls, reflecting on a mindset shift towards adaptability and responsibility after early season struggles. Time out of the XI helped reset his perspective, leading to this explosive turnaround.

Jofra Archer is on the cusp of becoming Rajasthan Royals' all-time leading wicket-taker, needing just three more wickets to surpass Shane Watson. Archer's potent pace and control, especially in the powerplay, have been crucial for the Royals this season. This milestone looms as RR faces an under-pressure Lucknow Super Giants at home.

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored another half-century for Rajasthan Royals. He is now third in franchise history for 50-plus scores. This places him alongside Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson. Punjab Kings posted a large total. Rajasthan Royals chased but fell short. Jaiswal's consistent performance continues to impress.

Jofra Archer achieved a historic milestone for Rajasthan Royals. He became the franchise's leading IPL wicket-taker with a stellar bowling performance. Archer's spell secured a crucial victory for his team. Rajasthan bowlers defended a low total successfully. This win highlights the team's bowling strength. Archer's achievement marks his significant impact.

Rajasthan Royals batters have a peculiar knack for centuries on April 22, with Watson, Rahane, Buttler, and Jaiswal all achieving the feat. Today, against Lucknow Super Giants, all eyes are on Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi to see if this remarkable trend continues. Both teams are under pressure after recent losses, making this a crucial encounter.

Jofra Archer has made history for Rajasthan Royals, becoming their top wicket-taker. He joins an elite group of bowlers who have achieved significant milestones for their franchises. Sunil Narine is nearing a historic 200 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders. Jasprit Bumrah also features prominently for Mumbai Indians. Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar lead the overall IPL wicket charts.

Chennai Super Kings dominated Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, securing a commanding 103-run victory. Sanju Samson's brilliant unbeaten century powered CSK to 207, followed by a ruthless bowling performance led by Akeal Hosein, who took a career-best 4 for 17.

Kolkata Knight Riders have received a significant boost with the arrival of Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana, who has cleared fitness tests. Despite his presence, the team management might be cautious about his immediate inclusion. KKR, struggling with six winless matches and tactical questions, faces a strong Rajasthan Royals side.

Yashasvi Jaiswal achieved a significant IPL milestone, hitting his 100th six during Rajasthan Royals' commanding 27-run victory over Mumbai Indians. His unbeaten 77, coupled with a fiery cameo from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, powered RR to 150/3 in a rain-shortened match. The Royals bowlers then stifled MI's chase, securing a third consecutive win.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's explosive 77 powered Rajasthan Royals to a 27-run victory over Mumbai Indians in a rain-shortened IPL 2026 clash. Jaiswal's innings, featuring 10 boundaries and four sixes, propelled RR to the top of the table. His century of sixes in the IPL is a remarkable feat, underscoring his destructive batting prowess and consistent performance for the franchise.

The IPL, a global entertainment powerhouse, has seen 18 thrilling seasons since its 2008 debut. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings lead with five titles each. The article details every champion and runner-up, highlighting key final performances and the evolution of this premier T20 league.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their first IPL 2026 win with a dominant 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite a strong bowling comeback restricting SRH to 226/8, KKR's batters faltered, being bowled out for 161. Key performances included Finn Allen's explosive start and Angkrish Raghuvanshi's half-century, but ultimately, SRH's bowling proved too strong.

Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Shane Watson expressed confidence that Cameron Green will not be burdened by his Rs 25.20 crore price tag. Watson highlighted Green's free-spirited approach and past IPL success, suggesting it will enable him to perform at his best. The team is also managing injuries and awaiting Matheesha Pathirana's arrival.

The IPL 2026 season kicks off March 28. The Most Valuable Player is determined by a points system rewarding fours, sixes, wickets, dot balls, catches, and stumpings. Sunil Narine holds the record for most MVP awards with three wins. Suryakumar Yadav was the MVP in 2025.

At a preseason event in Kolkata, KKR retired Andre Russell’s No. 12 jersey, honouring his impact and loyalty. Despite past exit rumours, he stayed committed and now takes on a Power Coach role. Russell reflected emotionally on his career, saying he “left everything on the field.” Meanwhile, Rinku Singh was named vice-captain under Ajinkya Rahane for the new season.

Mumbai Indians welcome back star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for their IPL 2026 opener against KKR. However, key overseas players Mitchell Santner and Will Jacks are on an extended break. KKR's Shane Watson hopes to exploit MI's notorious slow start to the season, while MI looks for Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma to hit form.

IPL 2026 begins March 28 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad. All teams have finalised coaching staffs featuring experienced names. Andy Flower leads RCB, Stephen Fleming heads CSK, while Mahela Jayawardene guides MI. Other teams also boast strong coaching setups, setting the stage for a competitive season.

A consortium including Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has acquired Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for $1.78 billion. This landmark deal encompasses both the men's and women's IPL and WPL franchises from United Spirits. Aryaman Vikram Birla will chair the team, with Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman, following the 2026 IPL season.

Kolkata Knight Riders' new head coach Abhishek Nayar anticipates a season of opportunities, leveraging a strong leadership group including Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson. The team aims to finalize combinations, with Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh expected to step up. KKR awaits medical updates on pacer Harshit Rana and Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana.

A consortium including Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has agreed to acquire Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.78 billion. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, will see Aryaman Vikram Birla as chairman and Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman post-IPL 2026. This acquisition makes RCB the most valuable IPL franchise to date.

Andre Russell's IPL journey with KKR has concluded after he went unsold in the 2026 mini-auction. Head coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in Indian talents Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh to fill the void left by the explosive all-rounder. Russell leaves behind a remarkable legacy of match-winning performances for the franchise.