UPDATE: The IPL 2026 encounter between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) took place on April 6, 2026, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match, which served as the 12th fixture of the tournament, unfortunately could not reach a conclusion due to persistent rain and a wet outfield. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first, but the team faced early pressure as Xavier Bartlett’s lethal spell reduced the hosts to 25/2 in just 3.4 overs before the rain intervened. Despite the ground staff’s best efforts, conditions did not improve sufficiently to resume play, leading the umpires to officially call off the match.
With the 2026 IPL season now successfully finalized and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru crowned as champions, this fixture remains a key chapter in the tournament’s history, resulting in both teams sharing a point. For cricket fans looking to revisit the match highlights, full player statistics, and official media archiving, all the legal broadcasting channels, premium platforms like JioCinema, Star Sports, and regional rights holders originally detailed in our guide below remain fully active as official documentation for the 2026 season.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Since the entire IPL 2026 tournament has officially concluded, the television network listings and digital media guides detailed below serve as a permanent informational directory for official broadcaster archives, post-match media coverage, and regional rights documentation. This platform does not host live streams or video media; please consult the official networks listed below for authorized tournament broadcasts and on-demand replay access in your region.
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.
Whether 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?
Leave a Reply