India, May 20 -- Their campaign hanging by a thread, Kolkata Knight Riders will have no option but to go all out against an already-eliminated Mumbai Indians in a crucial IPL match here on Wednesday.

A defeat will officially end KKR's playoff hopes for the second successive season under Ajinkya Rahane after their disappointing eighth-place finish in 2025, a year after lifting the title under Shreyas Iyer.

Even a win, however, may not be enough for the Rahane-led side as KKR's fate will still depend on Punjab Kings' away match against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday.

If Punjab win that game, KKR's final league fixture against Delhi Capitals here on Sunday will become a dead rubber.

As things stand, defending champions Royal Challenger...