After a challenging start, Kolkata Knight Riders clinched their first win of the IPL 2026 season against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens. Despite a shaky beginning with early wickets falling, a resilient partnership between Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy turned the game around for KKR. The duo’s strategic play and composed batting led KKR to a memorable victory with two balls to spare.
KKR faced a tough chase after a disastrous start, losing early wickets and struggling at 84 for 5 by the 13th over. However, Cameron Green and Rovman Powell provided some resistance, but it was the partnership between Rinku and Anukul that proved to be the game-changer. Anukul’s aggressive six in the 16th over and Rinku’s steady half-century under pressure were crucial in KKR’s successful chase.
The match saw twists and turns as KKR fought back from a difficult position, needing 21 off the last two overs. Rinku’s well-timed boundaries and Anukul’s smart running brought the equation down to nine runs off the final over. In a dramatic finish, Rinku’s unbeaten half-century and Anukul’s valuable contribution secured KKR’s long-awaited victory, ending their losing streak.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals had set a competitive total, but KKR’s bowlers, led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Kartik Tyagi, restricted them effectively. Despite facing batting challenges, KKR’s determination and resilience shone through in the end, marking a significant turnaround in their campaign.
