KKR vs RR Highlights, IPL 2026: Rinku Singh’s fifty powers KKR to first win of the season; beat Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets

Kolkata Knight Riders finally ended their long wait for a victory in IPL 2026, edging past Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in a tense finish at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

A composed unbeaten 53 from vice-captain Rinku Singh guided KKR over the line with two balls to spare, as they finally broke a six-match winless streak after 22 frustrating days. The win also lifted them off the bottom of the table and offered much-needed relief to a side that had repeatedly faltered from winning positions earlier in the season.

In the end, KKR crossed the line with two balls remaining, completing a much-needed turnaround after repeated failures in tight finishes earlier in the season. The victory marked their first win in seven matches and offered a sense of stability to a campaign that had threatened to derail early.

For Rajasthan Royals, it was another game where a strong start with the bat was undone by a dramatic collapse and an inability to close out the chase despite early dominance. Their spin struggle in the middle overs and lack of death-overs penetration with the ball ultimately cost them the match.

"Sometimes it happens like that when a few things don’t go your way, so you feel that intensity. But it wasn’t like I was hesitating or unsure about playing my shots. My mindset was to take the game till the end because I had conversations with the coach and also with my batting partner. The idea was to take it deep since the match was in a tricky situation. That’s what happens sometimes, sir. In that moment, the mind doesn’t work properly and you end up playing such shots. But thankfully, luck was on my side and we eventually won the match. Yes sir, that was in my mind as well. I had played quite a few innings and was waiting for a big one. This was a very good innings for me and also very important for my confidence. There’s nothing like a fixed position for me. I can bat at number five, lower down the order, or even at number four. Wherever the team needs me, I’m ready to bat in that position. This will give us a lot of confidence because this is our first win of the season. From here, we will carry this momentum forward." - Rinku Singh (53 not out off 34 balls)

"I think for the first 4-5 overs, I thought it was a 170-run wicket, we fell 10 runs short. Errors from our side, we can't be dropping catches - that cost us the game. There was a lot of spin on the wicket, the way RJ and Punja bowled, I thought spin was the way to go. A few errors, but I thought spin was the way to go. He was almost ready to bowl the 14th and 16th over, but they lost wickets. Since they had two left-handers in, I bowled an over. The way the middle-order went about today, the platform was set. Myself and Hetty faced 15 balls each, but the execution went wrong. We thought 170 was a good score and we wanted to go hard in the last 5 overs, but that didn't happen. Everyone who plays for the Royals I have full confidence in them." - Riyan Parag

It has taken more than 20 days and seven matches for Kolkata Knight Riders to finally register their first win of the season. It was not a clinical performance by any means, but they will certainly be relieved to get off the mark.

Batting first, Rajasthan Royals were well served by a strong opening stand between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who gave them a solid platform. However, the innings lost all momentum once the pair was separated, with wickets falling at regular intervals.

The middle overs belonged to Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, who bowled in tandem and picked up five wickets between them, choking the scoring and turning the game decisively.

At the death, Kartik Tyagi supported well with disciplined bowling to ensure RR could only manage 155 on the board, a total that ultimately proved below par.

In reply, Kolkata Knight Riders endured a nightmare start as both openers were dismissed without scoring, putting them immediately on the back foot. Cameron Green, fresh off a fifty in the previous outing, looked to counterattack with intent, but his brisk 13-ball 27 was cut short by a sharp stumping from Dhruv Jurel off Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling.

Despite the early blows, KKR managed to reach 51 in the powerplay, largely due to Green’s brief but aggressive cameo. However, Rajasthan Royals tightened the screws in the middle overs, with spin taking full control of the contest. Ravindra Jadeja was at his miserly best, choking the scoring rate and striking twice by removing Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rovman Powell in quick succession, leaving KKR struggling to rebuild.

Jofra Archer goes for 12 crucial runs in the over as Kolkata Knight Riders seize control of the chase at the death.

Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy have tilted the equation firmly in KKR’s favour, shifting momentum at the perfect moment.

Now, KKR need just 9 runs from the final over to secure their first win of the season.

KKR 147/6 after 19 overs | Target 156

Brijesh Sharma comes into the attack and delivers a tidy over, keeping things tight at the death for Rajasthan Royals. It could have been even better for the fielding side, but an inside edge runs away for four behind the stumps.

Still, just seven runs come off the over, ensuring the pressure stays firmly on Kolkata Knight Riders. The chase is finely poised now, with KKR needing 21 runs from the final two overs.

KKR 135/6 after 18 overs | Target 156

Rinku Singh (36) keeps the momentum firmly with Kolkata Knight Riders, smashing two crisp boundaries off Jofra Archer to collect 12 runs from the over.

The chase is swinging decisively now, with KKR building pressure on the fielding side and inching closer to the target. Rajasthan Royals are running out of margin for error and will need quick wickets to wrestle back control.

KKR 128/6 after 17 overs | Need 28 off 18 balls

Anukul Roy explodes into action with a huge hit as Kolkata Knight Riders suddenly shift gears in the chase!

BOOM! 19 RUNS from the over. Roy (13) launches Ravi Bishnoi over deep extra cover for a massive six to cap off a dream over for KKR. Earlier in the same over, Rinku Singh had already set the tone with a big maximum of his own.

It’s a complete turnaround as KKR collect 19 crucial runs, bringing the required rate down to around 10 an over. The momentum is finally swinging their way at the right time in the chase.

KKR 116/6 after 16 overs | Need 40 off 24 balls

Rinku Singh finally breaks free with his first boundary, cracking a four off Riyan Parag to collect 10 runs from the over and briefly lift the tempo for Kolkata Knight Riders.

However, the situation remains grim for KKR, with the asking rate climbing close to 12 an over as they head into the final strategic time-out of the match.

KKR 97/6 after 15 overs | Target 156

BIG WICKET! Young Yash Raj Punja gets his maiden IPL wicket, dismisses Ramandeep Singh (10)

BOWLED! Punja strikes gold as Ramandeep Singh is cleaned up!

Touch quicker, full and just outside off stump, Ramandeep leans across looking to drive. He reaches for it away from his body, but only manages an inside edge that drags straight back onto the stumps.

Punja is delighted as the bails go flying — his first IPL wicket — and Ramandeep stands in disbelief for a moment before sinking to his haunches, clearly frustrated, before making the long walk back.

KKR 85/6 in 13.3 overs | Target 156

Yash Raj Punia bowled a tidy one at this stage - just three singles off it.

Rinku Singh is key for KKR in this run chase. On the last ball of the previous over, bowled by Jadeja, Nandre Burger put one down at short third man to give Rinku a life, and it could prove expensive.

KKR 76/5 after 12 overs, need 80 off 48 balls

BIG WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja strikes again, gets rid of 'dangerous' Rovman Powell (23).

Powell holes out as Jadeja strikes for the second time. Bowled at 92.8 kph, stump-to-stump on a good length, forcing the error. Powell advances down the track and clears his front leg looking to launch it over long-on, but he is nowhere near the pitch of the ball.

The shot comes off the lower part of the bat and lacks timing, ballooning safely into the hands of Donovan Ferreira. A crucial breakthrough in the middle overs for the Royals.

Powell fell after scoring 23 (20) - [4s-2, 6s-1]

KKR 70/5 in 10.1 overs | Target 156

Ravindra Jadeja delivers another tight over, conceding just four singles as he continues to apply pressure for Rajasthan Royals.

Kolkata Knight Riders are still within reach of the chase, with the required rate under 8.5, but the loss of four wickets has left them struggling to build any momentum through the middle overs.

KKR 63/4 after 9 overs | Need 93 off 66 balls

BIG WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack and removes in-form Angkrish Raghuvanshi (10). KKR also lost a review

Jadeja delivers a superb over, conceding just one run and striking a crucial blow as Raghuvanshi falls LBW.

Raghuvanshi attempts the reverse sweep, but it’s a risky option against Jadeja’s precision and control. The full delivery skids in and beats him for pace, striking him right in front of off stump.

He goes for the review, but it’s a wasted one as the decision stands. Kolkata Knight Riders are now in deep trouble in the chase.

Raghuvanshi departed after 10 off 19 balls.

KKR 52/4 in 7 overs | Target - 156

Powerplay completed, and Rajasthan Royals will be satisfied with three wickets inside the first six overs.

Kolkata Knight Riders now need to steady their chase while ensuring the required rate does not spiral out of control.

Rovman Powell (12) provides some momentum with a six and a four off Rash Raj Punia in his first over of the spell, helping ease early pressure on the chase.

KKR 51/3 after 6 overs | Target 156

STUMPED! What an effort from Druv Jurel behind the stumps! Cameron Green is walking. Ravi Bishnoi is ecstatic.

What a piece of work from Dhruv Jurel! Bishnoi sees Green charge down the track and drifts in a googly down the leg side. The ball turns further away, making life difficult for the keeper as he’s momentarily blinded by the batter’s movement.

But Jurel reacts brilliantly — diving to his left, gathering cleanly one-handed, and firing a direct hit at the stumps in one fluid motion. Green is well out of his crease and cannot make it back in time. The third umpire is called in, but the decision stands as correct.

Green gone after a quick 27 off13 balls, which included a six and four fours.

KKR 37/3 in 4.3 overs | Target 156

Gambhir & Kallis vs DD, Dubai, 2014
Seifert & Rahane vs RR, Kolkata, 2026*

This is the 13th time a team’s both openers dismissed for a duck in an IPL innings.

Cameron Green (14 off 7) steadies the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders after two early jolts, keeping the scoreboard moving. He finishes the over from Nandre Burger with back-to-back boundaries and follows it up with another crisp four off Jofra Archer in the next over.

KKR 21/2 after 3 overs | Target 156

12 - Ajinkya Rahane*

11 - Parthiv Patel

10 - Shikhar Dhawan

10 - Gautam Gambhir

9 - David Warner

BIG WICKET! Nandre Burger strikes with his second ball to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane for a duck

Another blow early for Kolkata Knight Riders as Rahane’s struggles in this IPL continue with a second consecutive duck.

Short delivery outside off, there to be played at. Rahane goes for the cut, but the ball climbs a touch more than expected and catches the outside edge. It flies to the right of the keeper where Dhruv Jurel takes a sharp, regulation catch.

KKR are in deep trouble — two wickets down inside the first eight balls.

KKR 5/2 in 1.2 overs | Target 156

5 - Mohammed Shami
5 - Jofra Archer*

This is the third time Archer picked a wicket on the first ball of an innings this season (Salt, Abhishek, Seifert).

WOW! Bowled! What a start! Jofra Archer strikes first ball to dismiss Tim Seifert for a golden duck

What a start from Archer! He’s making a habit of striking with the very first delivery — this is the third game in a row he has done it.

Full and straight with just a hint of away movement, Seifert is a touch late on the shot and brings his bat down too late. The off stump is rattled and goes flying.

KKR 0/1 in 0.1 overs | Target - 156

Ajinkya Rahane and Tim Seifert are out in the middle to start the run chase for KKR. Jofra Archer with the new ball for RR. The visitors need early wickets to be in the contest.

Target - 156

The spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine delivered a clinical performance to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 155/9 against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL clash.

Asked to bat, RR got off to a blazing start through Yashasvi Jaiswal (39) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46), racing to 81/0 in just 8.3 overs. However, the introduction of spin turned the game on its head. Chakravarthy (3/14) and Narine (2/26) applied the brakes effectively, triggering a collapse that saw RR slip to 124/5 by the 16th over.

Despite brief resistance from Shimron Hetmyer (15) and Riyan Parag (12), the innings never regained momentum. Kartik Tyagi (3/22) then struck thrice in a crucial phase to derail the lower order, ensuring RR were kept to a below-par total.

"It's getting there. Every game, you have to try doing your best. (Bowling slower?) It's based on the pitch. You have to vary your pace. Hopefully it'll be a good chase. (On Varun Chakaravarthy) We talk a lot about cricket. Once he's back in form, it's good for our team. It's all about the first over, he bowled the first over good and that gives the momentum. Powerplay is the best time to bat." - Sunil Narine

Run out! A chaotic end to the innings as Rajasthan Royals finish on 155/9.

Banged in short at the stumps, Jofra Archer shuffles across for the pull but misses. They scamper through for a bye, and there’s confusion straightaway. Tim Seifert has a shy and misses, while Vaibhav Arora fumbles on the follow-up, allowing the ball to trickle towards mid-on.

Sensing an opportunity, the batters go for a risky second, but Arora recovers quickly, gathers cleanly and fires a sharp throw back to the striker’s end. Seifert is alert this time, whipping off all three stumps in a flash—with Archer nowhere in the frame.

Kartik Tyagi on a roll, dismisses Ravi Bishnoi for his third wicket of the over.

He goes for the wide yorker — misses the ideal length slightly — but still gets the breakthrough. Ravi Bishnoi looks to guide it down to third man with an open face, only to get a faint edge that carries cleanly through to the keeper.

After a blazing start, Rajasthan Royals have completely lost their way at Eden Gardens.

RR 146/8 in 18.5 overs

BIG WICKET! Second wicket for Kartik Tyagi in the over, Shimron Hetmyer falls for 15.

Hetmyer departs, and Rajasthan Royals just can’t build any momentum.

A low full-toss on the pads — there to be put away — but Hetmyer looks to whip it leg-side, closes the bat face too early and ends up skewing a thick leading edge. The ball balloons high behind square on the off side, where Raghuvanshi settles comfortably at third man to complete a simple catch.

RR 146/7 in 18.3 overs

Timely wicket for KKR as RR are looking to shift gears in the final two overs. Kartik Tyagi dismisses Ravindra Jadeja.

Excellent work in the deep from Cameron Green. Tyagi bangs it in short on the body, and Jadeja swivels across, going hard on the pull without keeping it down. The ball flies towards deep backward square leg, where Green moves swiftly to his left, cushions it with soft hands, and completes a fine catch.

RR 144/6 in 18.1 overs

Ravindra Jadeja (9*) breaks the shackles with a boundary off Ramandeep Singh as Rajasthan Royals collect 12 runs from the over.

There’s also a let-off — Vaibhav Arora puts down a sitter, handing Shimron Hetmyer a crucial reprieve.

RR move to 144/5 after 18 overs

14* (11) vs CSK
8 (4) vs GT
20 (10) vs MI
3 (5) vs RCB
4(6) vs SRH
12(14) vs KKR

Caught & Bowled! Second wicket for Sunil Narine, and that too of his last ball of the spell. Narine returns figures of 2 for 26 in 4 overs.

A simple return catch and Narine signs off with a wicket. Floated up on off, it straightens just enough off the surface. Donovan Ferreira (7) looks to work it into the leg side but misreads the line, closes the bat face too early, and lobs it straight back to the bowler.

RR 124/5 after 16 overs

BOWLED! Varun Chakravarthy cleans up Riyan Parag for 12

Chakravarthy strikes again — he’s having a superb afternoon. Floated up and turning back into the right-hander, Riyan Parag shuffles across looking to slog over mid-wicket but plays all around it and misses completely. The ball sneaks through to crash into off stump, the bails light up, and Rajasthan Royals lose their fourth wicket.

Varun then completes his spell with superb figures of 3 for 14 in 4 overs

RR 117/4 in 14.4 overs

Kartik Tyagi returns to the attack and delivers a tight over, conceding just four runs — one of them a leg bye. The squeeze continues on Rajasthan Royals, who haven’t found the boundary since the 10th over — four consecutive overs without a four or six.

The pressure is building, and the Royals need to break the shackles soon if they are to push towards a competitive total.

RR 113/3 after 14 overs

Strategic time-out!

Varun Chakravarthy (2/9 in 3 overs) continues to tighten the screws through the middle, expertly choking the flow of runs alongside Sunil Narine. Boundaries have completely dried up, with the spin duo not allowing Rajasthan Royals any breathing room.

The pressure is beginning to build on RR, who now need a release shot or two to keep the scoring rate from dipping further and regain momentum.

RR 109/3 after 13 overs

BIG WICKET! Another massive breakthrough for KKR, the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal (39) is walking back.

That’s the third wicket, and Kolkata Knight Riders are clawing their way back into the contest. Clever bowling from Sunil Narine — he takes the pace off and drags it wider outside off, forcing Jaiswal to reach for the drive. The batter isn’t in control, chips it uppishly, and it flies towards cover.

Ajinkya Rahane reacts sharply, sliding to his right to pouch a neat catch. A crucial breakthrough as the spinners tighten the screws in the middle overs.

Jaiswal departed after scoring 39, off 29 balls, which included two sixes and four fours.

RR 99/3 in 11.2 overs

STUMPED! Varun Chakaravarthy gets his second wicket in as many overs, dismisses Dhruv Jurel (5).

Tim Seifert is absolutely convinced, and the replays confirm it — Jurel’s back foot is well outside the crease when the bails are whipped off.

A beautifully tossed-up delivery outside off, Jurel shapes up for the reverse sweep but misses it completely. Seifert is lightning-quick behind the stumps, and the batter’s momentum carries him too far forward, leaving him no chance to recover.

RR 97/2 in 10.3 overs

1, 2, 1, Wd, 6, Wd, 1, 1 — Ramandeep Singh comes into the attack but endures an expensive over as Yashasvi Jaiswal (38) takes charge. The left-hander collects a maximum and helps Rajasthan Royals pick up 14 runs from it.

The highlight is a brilliantly improvised six — full on middle, Jaiswal shuffles across, gets into position early and scoops it over fine leg. He loses balance and falls over in the process, but the connection is clean enough to send it sailing over the ropes.

RR move to 95/1 after 10 overs.

52 (17) vs CSK

31 (18) vs GT

39 (14) vs MI

78 (26) vs RCB

0(1) vs SRH

46(28) vs KKR

BIG WICKET! A huge breakthrough for Kolkata Knight Riders as Varun Chakravarthy strikes soon after coming into the attack, removing the dangerous Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a well-made 46 off 28 balls.

Tossed up on middle, Sooryavanshi goes for the slog sweep, aiming for the bigger boundary, but fails to get it off the middle. The ball skews high towards deep mid-wicket, swirling in the air before Ramandeep Singh keeps his composure and completes a sharp catch. A crucial strike for KKR, and a milestone moment too — 200 T20 wickets for Chakravarthy.

Sooryavanshi departed after scoring 46 (28), which included two sixes and six fours.

Rajasthan Royals 81/1 in 8.4 overs.

Two tidy overs for Kolkata Knight Riders after the powerplay help apply a slight check on the scoring. Kartik Tyagi keeps things tight, conceding just eight runs despite an early boundary from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Overall, just 16 runs come in the two overs following the powerplay as Rajasthan Royals momentarily ease off the accelerator.

RR 79/0 after 8 overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (28*) threads a crisp boundary through extra cover, but Sunil Narine responds with a tight, defensive over right after the powerplay — one that had been dominated by the Rajasthan Royals openers.

Just eight runs come from it as RR continue to build steadily towards a substantial total at Eden Gardens.

RR 71/0 after 7 overs.

Strategic time-out!

Rajasthan Royals openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (38 off 21) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (21 off 15) began cautiously, taking a couple of overs to assess conditions before shifting gears. Once set, the duo unleashed a flurry of strokes, finding boundaries with ease and putting the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers under sustained pressure.

The acceleration was swift and decisive, with fours and sixes flowing freely as the pair dominated the powerplay phase. Their aggressive approach ensured RR capitalised fully on the fielding restrictions, building a strong platform without losing a wicket.

RR cruise to 63/0 after 6 overs

BOOM! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (37*) brings up the 50 for Rajasthan Royals in emphatic fashion, launching Cameron Green straight down the ground for a flat six.

The over had already been set up by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who opened it with his first maximum of the match, as RR continue to dominate in the middle.

RR surge to 55/0 in 5.3 overs.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (31*) announced himself against Sunil Narine with a towering hit over deep square leg — the first six of the match.

Narine, however, responded like a seasoned campaigner, tightening his lines immediately after. Despite conceding the maximum early, he pulled things back superbly, following it up with four consecutive dot balls to cap a disciplined over that went for just six runs.

Rajasthan Royals move to 41/0 after 5 overs.

4, 4, 1, 1, 4, 1 — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (25* off 13) shifts gears in style after a watchful start, taking apart Vaibhav Arora with three boundaries in the over, including two off the first two deliveries. Riding on the youngster’s counterattack, Rajasthan Royals collect 15 runs from it.

Arora begins with a loose delivery—short and angling across—and Sooryavanshi climbs on top of the bounce to crunch it to sweeper cover for four. The next ball meets a similar fate as the batter stands tall and cuts it aerially towards point. The fielder dives to his left, but the ball lands just short and escapes to the boundary—one that might have been stopped.

RR race to 35/0 after 4 overs, with the momentum firmly shifting.

Cameron Green comes into the attack and begins with a tidy over, conceding just five runs. Four of those came off Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat — cheeky and nearly all the way. Short and outside off, Jaiswal waits for it and ramps an upper cut over the fielder at third man; it lands just short of the rope before trickling into the fence.

Green responds well, tightening his lines to bowl four consecutive dot balls and apply early pressure.

Rajasthan Royals move to 20/0 after 3 overs

Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi welcomes Kartik Tyagi with a four towards deep mid-wicket off the first delivery. Full and angling into the pads, Sooryavanshi clips it neatly off his legs to deep mid-wicket for a comfortable couple.

Two balls later, fortune favours him—slightly streaky, but it counts. With the slip taken out for that delivery, Tyagi hits a length and angles it across; Sooryavanshi reaches for it away from his body, gets a thick edge, but it flies safely between the keeper and short third man to race away to the boundary.

Rajasthan Royals collect nine runs from Kartik Tyagi’s over.

RR 15/0 after 2 overs

Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a classy four towards backward point, but it was a tidy start from the KKR pacer Vaibhav Arora. Except for the boundary, the pacer gave away just two singles and bowled three dots in it.

RR 6/0 after 1 over