Kolkata Knight Riders finally opened their account in IPL 2026, pulling off a sensational 4-wicket heist against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on April 19.
After a middle-order collapse left KKR reeling at 85/6, Rinku Singh proved once again why he is the ultimate finisher, anchoring a 76-run unbeaten stand with Anukul Roy to chase down 156 in the final over and secure KKR’s first points of the season.
Match Summary: KKR vs RR, IPL 2026 Match 28
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| RR Score | 155/9 (20 overs) |
| KKR Score | 161/6 (19.4 overs) |
| Match Result | KKR won by 4 wickets (2 balls left) |
| Best Batting (KKR) | Rinku Singh – 53* off 34 balls |
| Best Bowling (KKR) | Varun Chakravarthy – 3/14 in 4 overs |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
RR Innings: 155/9 in 20 Overs
Choosing to bat first, RR’s openers provided a blistering start with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46 off 28) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (39 off 29) adding 81 for the first wicket. However, the introduction of Varun Chakravarthy completely shifted the momentum. Chakravarthy’s masterclass spell of 3/14 dismantled the middle order, including the wickets of Sooryavanshi and Riyan Parag.
RR struggled to find boundaries in the latter half as Sunil Narine (2/26) and Kartik Tyagi (3/22) maintained a stranglehold. From a comfortable 81/0, RR collapsed to 155/9, with only the openers and a late cameo from Brijesh Sharma reaching double figures.
RR Innings At A Glance
| Details | RR Innings |
|---|---|
| Total | 155/9 in 20 overs |
| Powerplay | 63/0 (0–6 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – 46 off 28 balls |
| Best Partnership | Sooryavanshi & Jaiswal – 81 runs |
| Best Bowling (KKR) | Varun Chakravarthy – 3/14 (4 overs) |
KKR Chase: 161/6 in 19.4 Overs
The KKR chase started in disastrous fashion as Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger removed the openers for ducks. Cameron Green (27 off 13) provided a brief spark of aggression, but when Ravindra Jadeja (2/8) tore through the middle order, KKR looked buried at 85/6 in the 14th over.
Rinku Singh then produced another Eden Gardens miracle. Scoring 53 off 34 balls*, he stayed calm while Anukul Roy (29 off 16)* took the attack to the bowlers. Their unbroken 76-run partnership took the game deep, and Rinku sealed the victory with two balls to spare, sparking wild celebrations in the KKR dugout.
KKR Chase At A Glance
| Details | KKR Chase |
|---|---|
| Target | 156 runs |
| Total | 161/6 in 19.4 overs |
| Powerplay | 51/3 (0–6 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Rinku Singh – 53* off 34 balls |
| Best Bowling (RR) | Ravindra Jadeja – 2/8 (3 overs) |
Key Highlights
- The Rinku Redemption: With KKR’s season on the line, Rinku Singh’s composure and ability to find the boundary in high-pressure situations proved to be the difference.
- Varun’s Stranglehold: Varun Chakravarthy’s economy of 3.50 in a T20 match was a masterclass in modern-day leg-spin, dragging KKR back into the game after RR’s explosive start.
- Jadeja’s Economical Spell: Ravindra Jadeja nearly won it for the Royals, finishing with remarkable figures of 2/8 in 3 overs before the KKR lower order broke free.
Player of the Match
Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): Awarded for his game-changing spell of 3/14. His three wickets and relentless accuracy stifled a rampaging RR top order and ensured KKR were chasing a manageable target.
