Ajinkya Rahane’s Kolkata Knight Riders find themselves in a tricky position on the points table after their 39-run loss to Gujarat Titans. With just 3 wins in 8 matches, KKR currently sit at 7th place—far from the ideal playoff zone.
Typically, 16 points are considered the safe benchmark for qualifying for the playoffs.

While teams have sneaked in with 14 points or less in the past, that route heavily depends on Net Run Rate (NRR). The silver lining for KKR? Despite the recent defeat, their NRR stands at a healthy +0.212, which could prove crucial in a tight playoff race.

So, what’s the road to qualification? It’s simple on paper but difficult in execution—KKR must win at least 5 of their remaining 6 games to get to 16 points and stay in direct contention. It’s a steep ask, especially considering their current form. But if there’s one team that knows how to bounce back, it’s KKR.

Back in the 2014 season—the year they lifted their second IPL trophy—KKR had won just 2 of their first 7 matches. But what followed was one of the greatest turnarounds in IPL history: a nine-match winning streak that took them all the way to the title. That campaign is a reminder that this team has it in them to defy the odds.

This season, the challenge might be similar, but the pressure is even higher. With competition tougher and every match carrying more weight, KKR will need their senior players to step up, their strategy to click, and their belief to hold strong. The road to the playoffs is narrow, but the past says—never write KKR off.