Our Bureau
Kolkata
Kolkata Knight Riders ended their losing streak in IPL 2026 with a tense four‑wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, thanks to an unbeaten 53 by vice‑captain Rinku Singh. The match, played at Eden Gardens, went down to the final over as KKR chased Rajasthan’s 155 for 9 and crossed the line with two balls to spare.
Rinku, who had been under pressure after a poor start to the season, called the innings a big confidence booster. He revealed that the real turning point came when Nandre Burger dropped him on 8 in the field; what should have been a simple catch instead gave him a lifeline. After that reprieve, Rinku shared a crucial 76‑run stand off just 37 balls with Anukul Roy, who scored 29 off 16 deliveries to keep the chase alive.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals never looked fully settled, finishing on 155 for 9, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine putting the brakes in the middle overs. KKR had kept losing wickets at regular intervals while chasing, but Rinku held his nerve, refusing to panic and instead trying to take the game deep. He said he had spoken with his coach and batting partner about staying calm and not letting the pressure affect his shot selection.
Speaking after the match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane described the win as an emotional breakthrough after a difficult start to the season. Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag, on the other hand, admitted that dropped catches and poor execution in the death overs cost his team the game. With this first win in the bag, KKR will now look to build on the momentum and climb the points table in the weeks ahead.
