Another Saturday double header. After yesterday's two results — PBKS extending their unbeaten run at Kotla and RR holding off SRH in Jaipur — the top four is taking shape but the race for the fourth spot is very much alive. Today's matches matter a lot for the bottom half: GT need to bounce back after three straight losses, CSK need to keep winning after their stunning demolition of MI, and both LSG and KKR are desperately short of points. Let's get into it.
GT are at the Narendra Modi Stadium — their home ground — and they need this win badly. Three straight losses have dropped them to 6th with 6 points, and the playoffs are starting to feel distant. Home advantage at NMS counts for something: the large boundaries and slower outfield suit GT's bowling attack, and Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler know this surface well. Rashid Khan on this pitch, in these conditions, is always dangerous — there is a reason teams consistently target him in fantasy cricket at Ahmedabad.
CSK come in after the best result of their season — that 103-run destruction of MI at Wankhede. Anshul Kamboj is bowling with real confidence right now (15 wickets this season), and Ruturaj Gaikwad has found form at the right time. The challenge for CSK is that Ahmedabad's large boundaries do not suit their power-hitting style as well as it suits GT's bowling. CSK are more of a Wankhede or Chepauk team — compact boundaries, shorter square distances. The 3:30 PM start also removes the dew that can help chasing teams at this ground under lights.
Shubman Gill vs Anshul Kamboj: Kamboj's big-swinging deliveries with the new ball at pace tested Buttler last time — now he faces Gill, who is technically more solid but can be squared up early in an innings on a pitch with extra carry. If Kamboj gets Gill in the powerplay, CSK shift momentum immediately.
Rashid Khan vs Ruturaj Gaikwad: Gaikwad has improved his play against leg-spin significantly over the last two seasons, but Rashid at Ahmedabad is a different proposition. This is his home ground, he knows the surface intimately, and he has a history of breaking partnerships when the game is in the balance.
This is a match between two teams who desperately need points. LSG are 9th with 4 points, KKR are 10th with 3. One of them gets to feel slightly less desperate after tonight; the other's playoff hopes are effectively over. LSG have the home advantage at Ekana — a venue where slow pitches and spin have historically played a significant role, and where the dew under lights can be decisive for the chasing team.
KKR have been the biggest disappointment of IPL 2026. Last season's champions — who hammered everyone in 2024 and 2025 — have lost five from seven this season. Cameron Green, bought at ₹25.20 crore, has contributed next to nothing. Ajinkya Rahane has been fined for slow over rates. The batting has been inconsistent and the bowling has leaked runs at critical moments. Their only win came against RR in Kolkata when Angkrish Raghuvanshi dragged them home. Tonight they face a home team that has nothing to lose and everything to play for.
LSG are not in great shape either — two wins from seven — but Prince Yadav is joint Purple Cap leader with 13 wickets this season and is bowling with confidence. At Ekana, on a slow surface that grips, Prince Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi (on loan from RR this season) form a spin combination that can strangle a batting lineup in the middle overs. KKR's top order has struggled against quality spin throughout the season.
Prince Yadav vs Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Raghuvanshi is KKR's most dangerous batter this season (182 runs, 156 SR). Prince Yadav's ability to bowl cutters and variations at pace makes him difficult to read for batters who like to play aggressive. If Prince removes Raghuvanshi early, KKR's innings typically fails to build momentum.
Nicholas Pooran vs Sunil Narine: Pooran at his best is one of the most destructive finishers in T20 cricket. Narine's mystery spin at this stage of his career remains a genuine wicket-taking option — but Pooran attacks spin instinctively and has the power to clear any boundary in the world. This battle in overs 15-19 could be the match-decider.
Yesterday's results: PBKS beat DC by 17 runs (extending their unbeaten run to 6W from 7), and RR beat SRH by 9 runs in a close Jaipur contest. The top four is taking shape but the race for 4th is between RCB, SRH and DC — all level on points going into today.
| # | Team | M | W | L | NRR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🔴 PBKS | 7 | 6 | 0 | +1.380 | 13 |
| 2 | 🩷 RR | 8 | 6 | 2 | +0.810 | 12 |
| 3 | 🔴 RCB | 8 | 5 | 3 | +0.880 | 10 |
| 4 | 🟠 SRH | 8 | 4 | 4 | +0.640 | 8 |
| 5 | 🔵 DC | 8 | 3 | 5 | -0.180 | 6 |
| 6 | 🟡 CSK ⚔️ | 7 | 3 | 4 | -0.320 | 6 |
| 7 | 🔵 GT ⚔️ | 8 | 3 | 5 | -0.900 | 6 |
| 8 | 🔵 MI | 7 | 2 | 5 | -0.450 | 4 |
| 9 | 🔴 LSG ⚔️ | 7 | 2 | 5 | -1.500 | 4 |
| 10 | 🟣 KKR ⚔️ | 7 | 1 | 5 | -0.879 | 3 |
⚔️ Playing today · Top 4 shaded · Updated after April 25 results
Disclaimer: These predictions are AI-generated for entertainment and informational purposes only. They are not betting advice. Sports outcomes are inherently unpredictable and no prediction should be used as a basis for placing any financial wager. Full Disclaimer →