Kolkata Knight Riders secured their first victory of IPL 2026 with a four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, overcoming early setbacks with a strong lower middle-order effort on a challenging surface.
Chasing 156, KKR crossed the line with two balls remaining, led by an unbeaten 53 from Rinku Singh and a crucial 29 off 16 from Anukul Roy, who shifted the momentum during a key phase of the innings.
Spinners Set Up the Game for KKR
Earlier, KKR’s spinners controlled the middle overs after Rajasthan Royals made a steady start. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal adapted to the slow surface, adding 81 for the opening wicket while pacing their innings carefully.
However, the introduction of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine turned the game. The duo combined to bowl eight overs for just 40 runs while claiming five wickets, breaking the Royals’ momentum and triggering a collapse.
Sooryavanshi fell attempting an attacking shot against Varun, while Jaiswal was later dismissed for 39. Further wickets followed in quick succession as Rajasthan struggled through the middle phase.
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Tyagi’s Late Burst Restricts Royals
Rajasthan’s hopes of a strong finish were dented in the 19th over when Kartik Tyagi picked up three wickets, finishing with career-best figures of 3 for 22. His spell denied the Royals any late acceleration, restricting them to 155 for 9 despite their solid opening stand.
Royals Strike Early in Defence
In reply, Rajasthan made an immediate impact with the ball, removing KKR’s openers for ducks. The early breakthroughs, combined with tight bowling from their spinners, kept the pressure firmly on KKR.
Ravindra Jadeja was particularly effective, conceding just 8 runs in his three overs while picking up two wickets, as KKR’s chase struggled to gain momentum.
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Rinku and Roy Turn the Tide
KKR found themselves in trouble before Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy led the recovery. Rinku, who had been dropped early in his innings, capitalised on the opportunity and played a decisive role in the chase.
Roy accelerated at a crucial stage, scoring 29 off 16 balls when the required rate had climbed sharply. His aggressive approach brought the equation down, allowing KKR to regain control.
Rinku then carried the innings through to the finish, sealing both his half-century and the victory with a six, completing the chase with two balls remaining.
A Much-Needed Win for KKR
The victory marked a turning point for Kolkata Knight Riders after a difficult start to the season. Their spinners laid the foundation, while the lower middle order ensured the chase was completed despite early setbacks.
