Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered their first win of IPL 2026 with a composed four-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 28, thanks to a match-winning knock from Rinku Singh. Chasing a target of 156, KKR reached 161/6 in 19.4 overs, overcoming early setbacks with a strong finish in the death overs.
RR Falter After Promising Start
Rajasthan Royals posted 155/9 in their 20 overs after a bright opening stand between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo added 81 runs, laying a solid foundation and putting RR in control early on.
However, the innings lost momentum dramatically after the powerplay. KKR’s spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine applied the brakes effectively, sharing five wickets between them. RR suffered a collapse, losing nine wickets for just 74 runs, as the middle order failed to capitalize on the strong start. The eventual total appeared below par on a slowing surface.
KKR’s Chase: Early Jolts and Middle-Over Struggles
KKR’s chase began on a shaky note despite a brisk powerplay. They reached 51/3 in six overs but lost key wickets early. Jofra Archer struck on the very first ball, dismissing Tim Seifert, while Nandre Burger removed Ajinkya Rahane cheaply.
Ravi Bishnoi added to KKR’s troubles by dismissing Cameron Green through a sharp stumping by Dhruv Jurel. The middle overs saw KKR struggle to build partnerships, slipping from 52/4 to 116/6 by the 16th over. Ravindra Jadeja tightened the screws with crucial breakthroughs, including the wickets of Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rovman Powell.
Rinku Singh Turns the Game
Amid the collapse, Rinku Singh held his nerve and anchored the innings with a calm and calculated approach. His unbeaten 53 off 34 balls proved decisive, as he paced the chase expertly.
Anukul Roy provided valuable support with a quickfire 29* off 16 deliveries. The duo shifted gears at the right moment, particularly in the death overs, where KKR surged from 128/6 in the 17th over to victory in the final over.
Rinku sealed the win in style, striking a six followed by consecutive boundaries in the last over, ensuring there were no late hiccups.
Key Performances
- KKR Batting: Rinku Singh 53* (34), Anukul Roy 29* (16), Cameron Green 27 (13)
- RR Batting: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 46 (28), Yashasvi Jaiswal 39 (29)
- KKR Bowling: Varun Chakravarthy 3/14, Karttik Tyagi 3/22, Sunil Narine 2/26
- RR Bowling: Ravindra Jadeja 2/8
Clinical Finish Seals Momentum
KKR’s ability to hold their nerve in crunch moments made the difference. While RR squandered a strong start with a middle-order collapse, KKR showed resilience through Rinku Singh’s leadership in the chase.
The victory not only gives KKR their first points of the season but also restores confidence as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
