The IPL 2026 season is heating up, and a crucial clash is on the horizon as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Kolkata Knight Riders in New Raipur this Wednesday. With playoff spots on the line, this is a match no cricket fan will want to miss.
RCB are riding high after a thrilling two-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, which propelled them to the top of the table and snapped a two-game losing streak. Their playoff hopes are looking brighter than ever, and they'll be eager to build on that momentum. On the other side, KKR are staging a remarkable late-season surge. After starting the campaign with seven consecutive losses, they've now strung together four straight wins—most recently an eight-wicket demolition of Delhi Capitals—and are fighting hard to break into the top four.
For fans in India, catching all the action is easy. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website. The game is set to take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur, with the first ball scheduled for 7:30 PM IST on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
RCB are expected to field a similar lineup to their winning side against MI. Virat Kohli will anchor the batting order alongside Jacob Bethell, though Phil Salt could return to the XI. Kohli will be keen to bounce back after registering back-to-back ducks in his last two outings. The bowling attack will be led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The predicted RCB XI includes: Jacob Bethell/Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, and Rasikh Salam.
KKR, meanwhile, have found a new spark with the addition of Finn Allen, who smashed a stunning 47-ball century in their win over Delhi. His explosive batting at the top has given the Knight Riders a fresh edge as they look to keep their playoff dream alive. Whether you're cheering from home or gearing up for a watch party, this IPL showdown promises plenty of drama and excitement.