Can the KKR win the IPL for Sikkim Again?

<p>While Sikkim may not have an IPL team of its own, cricket fans around the state have long cheered on neighbouring West Bengal’s Kolkata Knight Riders. Such is the affinity between KKR and its Sikkim-based fans that the team even brought the IPL trophy to be paraded in Gangtok following their 2024 championship winning season. </p><p>The 2025 IPL season was tougher for Kolkata, though, with the team slumping to eight place in the standings and missing the finals.&nbsp;</p><p>With the 2026 IPL season now just days away, it’s time to put last year’s disappointment to bed and look ahead at what’s to come. Will they suffer another tough year, or can they find success again and hold another parade in Gangtok?&nbsp;</p><p><b>KKR to Look to Narine Again</b></p><p>However KKR’s season goes, there’s no doubt that Sunil Narine will be at the heart of it. The West Indian spinner has been menacing opposing batters for the Knight Riders since 2012, and in recent years has exploded as a batter.&nbsp;</p><p>After a quiet spell at the wicket with limited opportunities to put up runs, Narine has showed how brilliant he can be with the bat over the last two seasons. A 488 run haul in 2024, followed by 246 in 2025, make him the focal point of the team.&nbsp;</p><p>The talismanic player’s continued presence is a big reason why many punters are using a <a href="https://ift.tt/5mGcPRb" target="_blank">BC.Game promo code</a> to back the team.&nbsp;</p><p>The Knight Riders will also be helped by retaining captain Ajinkya Rahane. After spending a single season with the team in 2022, Rahane is set for a longer spell in Kolkata, and hopefully more success.&nbsp;</p><p>The IPL veteran had his best season since 2016 last year, averaging 35.45 and posting a total run haul of 390 across 13 innings. Rahane also passed the 5,000 career run mark last season, and looks good value for his hefty INR 1.5 crore price tag.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Knight Riders Unfancied by the Bookies</b></p><p>KKR fans had to endure a barren run between their 2014 and 2024 IPL trophies, including being defeated finalists in 2021. Everyone will be desperate to not have to wait that long for success again.&nbsp;</p><p>Unfortunately, most betting sites in India don’t think that 2026 will be another triumphant year for the Knight Riders.&nbsp;</p><p>A majority of sites have KKR priced at around 10.0 (9/1) to be crowned 2026 IPL champions. Although far from the least fancied, they’re still a long way off the early favourites of the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans.&nbsp;</p>

from www.sikkimexpress.com https://ift.tt/jSi6Nyd
via IFTTT