KKR vs RR Prediction: Archer to help deliver instant response for Royals

Rajasthan Royal suffered their first defeat of the 2026 IPL against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday and the inaugural Indian Premier League champions will be hoping for an immediate reaction when taking on rock-bottom Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Sunday (11:00, Sky Sports Cricket).

Kolkata have lost five and seen their other fixture washed out, leaving them to prop up the standings on one point and requiring a big improvement if they want to stand any chance of finishing in the top four.

It is a different story for Rajasthan, who have won four and lost one of their five assignments to suggest they have what it takes to lift this trophy for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2008.

Read on for my Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royal preview, including all the latest team news and match odds.

Cricket Odds

IPL Odds

Team News

Finn Allen was dropped for Kolkata’s last game, replaced by fellow New Zealander Tim Seifert, who made just 19 runs.

The Knight Riders may decide to recall Allen along with fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who took 4-41 on his last appearance against Hyderabad.

Rajasthan are unlikely to make any snap decisions from their first defeat of the IPL season and should stick with the same XI once again.

KKR vs RR Odds

Reigning IPL champions Bengaluru are 4/7 favourites to record a fifth win of the season against the 11/8 Delhi Capitals.

RCB superstar Virat Kohli currently leads the Orange Cap standings as the top runscorer in the competition and he is 9/4 favourite to top-score for the hosts at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi Top Kolkata Batter @ 7/2

Rajasthan are the firm favourites to inflict a fifth defeat of the IPL season on Kolkata and it is hard to make a case for the Knight Riders, who have suffered 32-run and 65-run losses in this dismal period.

The Royals have more strength in depth and they will be chomping at the bit to bounce back from the surprise defeat to Sunrisers, so a fired-up performance is expected.

There is, however, value to be had in the top batter market and while Angkrish Raghuvanshi may end up on the losing side again, he can at least put in another solid performance with the bat.

Raghuvanshi has made scores of 51, 52, seven not out (match ended in a no result), 45, 27 and eight in his six innings, with his total of 190 runs leaving him top of Kolkata's batting charts.

The 21-year-old Indian has been the Knight Riders' highest scorer in two of their five completed games, with the two contests where he topped the billing both played at Eden Gardens.

Jofra Archer Top Rajasthan Bowler @ 5/2

Rajasthan have plenty of quality in their bowling department and one player who has impressed in the IPL is Jofra Archer, who has collected seven wickets from five matches.

The England seamer's express pace makes him a huge danger and he has bagged two wickets in each of his last two outings, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Archer was the leading wicket-taker for RCB in the loss to the Sunrisers last time out and he looks capable of continuing his impressive form with the ball.

Cricket betting tips with Betfred Insights.