In a classic IPL nail-biter that kept the City of Joy on its toes, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered their first victory of the 2026 season, defeating the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 4 wickets. On a night where the momentum swung like a pendulum, it was the “Finisher Supreme” Rinku Singh who stood tall to guide KKR home on the penultimate ball of the match.
SENSATIONAL FINISH 🤯
Rinku Singh & Anukul Roy, take a bow! 💜
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/776nTdODZL#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #KKRvRR | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/HY9R9Kh0lT
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 19, 2026
RR Innings: A Tale of Two Halves
Rajasthan Royals opted to bat first and looked set for a massive total during the powerplay. The young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46) and the ever-reliable Yashasvi Jaiswal (39) took the KKR attack to the cleaners, stitching together an explosive 81-run opening stand.
𝙄𝘾𝙔𝙈𝙄
🎥 Glimpses of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi & Yashasvi Jaiswal’s boundaries from the 81-run opening stand 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/776nTdPbPj#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #KKRvRR | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/UkiYifNgCJ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 19, 2026
However, the introduction of spin changed the complexion of the game entirely. KKR’s bowling unit, led by Varun Chakaravarthy, triggered a sensational collapse. From a comfortable 81/0, RR crumbled to 155/9, losing 9 wickets for just 74 runs as the Eden Gardens surface began to grip and turn.
Key Bowling Figures (KKR):
Varun Chakaravarthy: 3/14 (4 overs)
Kartik Tyagi: 3/22 (4 overs)
Sunil Narine: 2/26 (4 overs)
KKR Chase: The Rinku-Anukul Rescue Act
Chasing a target of 156, KKR’s top order vanished under the lights. The hosts were reeling at 5/2 within the first two overs and soon found themselves in deep trouble at 70/5. Ravindra Jadeja was the primary architect of KKR’s misery, bowling a masterclass spell of 2/8 that stifled the scoring rate.
Just when the match seemed to be slipping away, vice-captain Rinku Singh took charge. Partnering with Anukul Roy (29 off 16), the duo put on a clinical 76-run partnership. Rinku played a calculated yet aggressive innings, finishing with an unbeaten 53. With 2 runs needed off the final two balls, KKR sealed the win in 19.4 overs, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.
Player of the Match: Rinku Singh
For his invaluable, ice-cold, unbeaten 53* that steered KKR from the jaws of defeat to their first win of the season, Rinku Singh was named the Player of the Match.
