The Eden Gardens is buzzing tonight as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) prepare to host the high-flying Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 12 of IPL 2026. While KKR is desperately searching for their first win after a rocky 0-2 start, PBKS is looking to maintain their “King” status with a third consecutive victory.
👉 Star Sports 📺 IPL 2026 Guide 🚀 JioHotstar 🏏 Official App Guide IPL 2026 🏏 Live GuideWhether you’re watching from the stands or your sofa, here is your definitive guide to the official broadcasters and the new subscription landscape for 2026.
🏏 Match Essentials: KKR vs PBKS
| Feature | Details |
| Date | Monday, April 6, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM) |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| KKR Form | L, L (Looking for redemption) |
| PBKS Form | W, W (Unbeaten so far) |
📺 Official Broadcasters: Where to Watch on TV
For those who prefer the zero-lag experience of linear TV, the Star Sports Network continues to be the exclusive home of the IPL.
- English: Star Sports 1, Star Sports Select 1
- Hindi: Star Sports 1 Hindi
- Regional Feeds: Star Sports 1 Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
- Ultra-HD Experience: The newly launched Star Sports 4K (available on select DTH platforms like Airtel DTH and Tata Play) offers the match in stunning 4K resolution.
📱 Digital Streaming: The “JioHotstar” Era
In a major shift for the 2026 season, the digital landscape has consolidated. JioHotstar (the merged entity of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar) is the exclusive streaming home.
Pro Tip: Unlike previous years, the IPL is no longer entirely free to stream. JioHotstar has moved to a “Freemium” model where the first few minutes are free, but a subscription is required to see the final over drama.
JioHotstar Premium Subscription Plans
| Plan Type | Price | Devices | Features |
| Mobile | ₹79 / Month | 1 (Mobile only) | 720p, contains ads |
| Super | ₹149 / Month | 2 (Any device) | 1080p, contains ads |
| Premium | ₹299 / Month | 4 (Any device) | 4K (Asli 4K), Ad-free* |
*Ad-free applies to on-demand content; live sports will still have break-time advertisements.
🎁 How to Get It “For Free” (Telecom Bundles)
If you aren’t keen on a standalone subscription, check your mobile plan. The “Cricket Packs” are back for 2026:
- Reliance Jio: The ₹949 Plan (84 days) now includes a complimentary 3-month JioHotstar subscription and unlimited 5G.
- Airtel: The ₹1,029 Plan offers similar benefits, including a 3-month subscription and access to the Xstream Play app.
- Vodafone-Idea (Vi): Look for the ₹151 Data Voucher, which adds 8GB of data—essential if you’re streaming in HD without a Wi-Fi connection.
⚡ Quick Match Preview
KKR’s top order has been brittle, and they’ll need Shreyas Iyer to anchor the innings against a PBKS bowling attack that has looked clinical. Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings have found a new hero in every game. Will the Eden Gardens’ spin-friendly tracks finally give KKR the edge, or will Punjab’s momentum be too much to stop?
