NEW DELHI: Gamers of Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Tremendous Kings have been seen carrying black armbands throughout their IPL 2026 conflict on the MA Chidambaram Stadium. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane received the toss and opted to subject towards the five-time champions.Rahane made one change to the XI, bringing in Varun Chakaravarthy instead of Navdeep Saini.“Seeking to bowl first. I feel the final sport was actually good for us. Sadly, the end result did not go our manner. However I believed the sort of cricket we performed, guys are getting that confidence from the final sport. It is all about beginning recent. It is vital when issues usually are not going your manner, it is vital to have that perception, keep constructive and having these small, small moments in T20 format is basically vital. So, now trying ahead to this sport, we’ll begin off rather well with the ball after which look to chase down the goal. (on the final sport) Sure, completely. The sort of knock Mukul performed the opposite night time was improbable. I imply, it may occur on this format. As I mentioned, it is all about perception. Guys are working actually laborious,” Rahane mentioned on the toss.“For us, what issues is, placing these laborious yards out, specializing in the controllables as gamers and, having that perception in every particular person. As I mentioned, the mixture appeared actually good for us within the final sport. So, yeah, excited about this sport and simply wished to be within the second. (after a mega public sale, it is robust) I imply, it’s difficult after the mega public sale to search out the best steadiness and clearly the gamers are going by way of the accidents, gamers are unavailable. Tonight, only one change for us. Varun Chakaravarthy is match. He is come instead of Navdeep Saini,” he added.CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad named an unchanged taking part in XI.“Sure, we’d have bowled first as nicely. However as I mentioned, previous few video games right here, the wicket hasn’t modified a lot all through the course of the sport. So not a lot of a distinction. Undoubtedly placing a giant complete on the scoreboard first innings could be difficult, however as I mentioned, it appears to be like a extremely good floor. (on the final sport) Sure, as I mentioned, even within the post-match as nicely, I felt the bowling was actually good defending 210, you realize, towards a robust DC aspect. Gave us a number of confidence and you realize, even the fielding unit was charged up,” Gaikwad mentioned.“We saved few runs and that’s how I feel collectively we did rather well. Actually thrilling in the present day as nicely. We acquired a job to do and everyone seems to be feeling assured. (speaking concerning the workforce steadiness) Sure, I feel we’re slowly getting it proper. Brevis coming again and Jamie giving that essential overs within the between as nicely. So I feel we’re slowly, slowly getting the best mixture and it’s nearly delivering every sport and staying constant. We’re going with the identical workforce,” he added.
Why did KKR put on black armbands vs CSK?
KKR gamers wore black armbands to mourn the passing of former India cricketer C. D. Gopinath, a member of India’s first-ever Take a look at-winning workforce and an early contributor to the nation’s journey in worldwide cricket.Gopinath represented India in eight Checks between 1951 and 1960 and made an instantaneous impression on debut with scores of fifty not out and 42 towards England.At a time when Indian cricket was nonetheless establishing itself globally, he was a part of the workforce that secured the nation’s maiden Take a look at victory towards England in 1952 in Madras (now Chennai) — a landmark second in India’s cricket historical past.On the home stage, Gopinath was a key determine in Madras cricket, main the aspect and contributing considerably to its development. He loved a distinguished first-class profession, scoring 4,259 runs in 60 matches, and performed a pivotal function in Madras’ first Ranji Trophy triumph in 1954-55, scoring a century within the ultimate.After retirement, he served as a nationwide selector — together with as chairman — and later as supervisor of the Indian workforce through the 1979 tour of England. He remained intently related to the sport for many years and was extensively revered for his deep understanding of cricket and his understated presence.